2021-2022 Introduction to Financial Aid
For the students and families who attend our virtual presentations, thank you! Here you can find the helpful information, tips, and websites shared during the presentation.
Follow the WVU Hub on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook for scholarship opportunities, money tips, and important reminders that can help students and families stay on track for financial aid, scholarships, billing, and more!
Also see our special Parents webpage that addresses financial aid topics that parents and families often have questions on.
Description: This video a brief introduction to the other videos that are part of the 2021-2022 Intro to Aid playlist
Choose a Topic From the Presentation
- Who Can I Contact with Financial Aid Questions?
- What Are Some Common Types of Financial Aid?
- How Do You Apply for Federal Financial Aid?
- How Do You Apply for State Aid?
- How Do You Apply for Scholarships As An Incoming Student?
- What Are Some Other Options to Reduce Cost or Fund Educational Expenses?
- How Much Does It Cost to Attend WVU?
- What Is the Basic Timeline to Follow?
Who Can I Contact with Financial Aid Questions?
Description: This is the second video in the "2021-2022 Intro to Aid" playlist and gives overview and contact information for the WVU Hub and other financial aid offices across the WVU System.
Links Shared in Video:
Morgantown Campus
WVU Hub
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6004, Morgantown, WV 26506
Phone: 304-293-1988
Health Sciences Center
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6810, Morgantown, WV 26506
Phone: 304-293-3706
For online assistance, students and parents can submit a request ticket or refer to the WVU Hub website for updates.
Twitter, Facebook and Instagram: @WVUHUB
Beckley Campus
Office of Financial Aid Services
Mailing Address: 410 Neville Street, Beckley, WV 25801
Phone: 304-929-1440
Email: Tech-Financial-Aid@mail.wvu.edu
Keyser Campus
Office of Enrollment Services
Mailing Address: 75 Arnold Street, Keyser, WV 26726
Phone: 304-788-6820
Email: PSC-FinAid@mail.wvu.edu
What Is the WVU Hub?
Your connection to:
- Student Accounts and Billing
- Financial Aid
- Scholarships
- Federal Work-Study
- Registrar and Academic Records
Located in the Evansdale Crossing Building on the Morgantown campus.
How Will You Hear From Us?
Students will receive emails regarding student accounts and billing, financial aid
and scholarships, and Federal Work-Study to their WVU MIX email via their
WVU Portal. Learn more about email settings on the
ITS MIX Gmail website. It is
crucial that students pay attention to notices from the WVU Hub
because they could be about financial aid or a balance due.
What Are Some Common Types of Financial Aid?
Description: This is the third video in the "2021-2022 Intro to Aid" playlist and gives information on some common types of financial aid.
Links Shared in Video:
Financial Aid Sources
Financial assistance can come from different sources:
- Federal
- State
- Institutional
- Departmental
- Private
Common Types of Aid
Grants
- "Gift aid" - usually does not need to be repaid
- Most grants based on financial need determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - although some grants have also have an academic or merit component
Scholarships
- "Gift aid" - usually does not need to be repaid
- Most scholarships are based on academic merit - although some have a financial need component
Federal Work-Study
- Part-time employment opportunity
- Based on financial need determined by the FAFSA (must be submitted by the March 1 priority deadline for the upcoming aid year)
- Does not apply to bill; student works and earns a paycheck
Loans
- Borrowed aid from the federal government or private lenders that must be repaid with interest
- Federal student loans up to $5500 per year may be offered to freshmen based on submission of the FAFSA
- Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
- There are also credit-based loans students and parents may apply for from the federal government, institutional, or private lenders that can help with educational costs
- Students/parents are not required to take loans, but if a student needs them to achieve their educational goals and invest in their future, a loan is an option to consider. However, only borrow what you need. Live like a college student while in college to keep debt down as much as possible.
Credit-Based Loans
There are also credit-based loans students and parents may apply for from the federal government, institutional or private lenders that can help with educational costs.
Students/parents are not required to take on loans, but if a student needs additional funds to achieve their educational goals and invest in their future, a loan is an option to consider. However, only borrow what you need.
Federal Parent PLUS Loan
- Interest is fixed. More information about PLUS Loan interest rates is available on the Student Aid website
- For parents of dependent undergraduate students
- Loan is borrowed in parent's name
- Apply at studentaid.gov starting in May
Private Loan
- Interest varies by lender
- Student or parent can borrow this type of loan
- Student usually needs a cosigner. Information about private loans is available on our Private Loans page.
- Apply starting in May
- Loans will not be certified until after student registers for courses
How Do You Apply for Federal Financial Aid?
Description: This is the fourth video in the "2021-2022 Intro to Aid" playlist and gives information on the process of applying for federal financial aid.
Links Shared in Video:
Apply for Federal Aid
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the myStudentAid app or at fafsa.ed.gov
- The FAFSA is required for federal aid, but sometimes state, institutional, or private aid can also require a valid FAFSA. This is how you apply for federal financial aid including federal grants, Federal Work-Study and federal loans.
- Available every October 1 for the following academic year
- FAFSA must be submitted for every year you wish to receive aid
- FAFSA will indicate specific tax year information required
- 2021-2022 FAFSA asks for 2019 tax information.
- The priority deadline is March 1, but the sooner the better
- Check with your home state for additional deadlines it may require for state-specific funds
FAFSA Dependency
Additional information about FAFSA dependency is available on the Federal Student Aid website.
- The FAFSA asks a series of yes or no questions to determine if a student is considered dependent for federal tax purposes
- This is not the same as dependency for federal tax purposes
- If all " no" responses are selected, the student is dependent and must include parent tax information
- If " yes" is selected for any of the questions, the student is independent and supporting documentation may be requested by our office
Federal Student Aid ID
Students must sign up for their own FSA ID, and parents sign up for their own. This identification is used to log in to federal sites such as FAFSA, studentloans.gov, and the National Student Loan Data System (where the student can monitor their loan debt). The FSA ID is also a legally binding signature for aid, loans, etc.
- Create at fsaid.ed.gov
- The student and one parent need to create an FSA ID
- Used to apply for financial aid with the FAFSA
Financial Aid Is a Process
It is important to know that financial aid is a process. A student doesn't just apply for aid and then everything is done. There are almost always additional steps.
- Student completes the FAFSA to apply for financial aid
- Student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) if they provided an email address on their FAFSA that will show their FAFSA information, estimated federal aid and if there are issues that need corrected
- WVU notifies the student through their MIX email (via their WVU Portal) if additional requirements are needed - such as correcting their FAFSA, providing missing information on their FAFSA, or submitting additional documentation
- If necessary, student makes required updates to the FAFSA or provides requested requirements
- Student is notified of financial aid offer
- Student accepts or declines their financial aid online
- WVU notifies student of additional requirements after aid is accepted (if any)
- Student completes additional requirements (if any), such as entrance counseling and loan agreements (or Master Promissory Notes) for first-time federal loan borrowers
- Aid that is ready to pay (no outstanding requirements) disburses to the student's account around the start of the semester
How Do You Apply for State Aid?
Description: This is the fifth video in the "2021-2022 Intro to Aid" playlist and gives information on the process of applying for state financial aid, with additional information for aid from the state of West Virginia for residents of the state.
Links Shared in Video:
State Aid
Additional information about state aid options is available on our State Grants and Scholarships page.- Research and apply for aid from your state higher education agency
- Out-of-state residents should contact their state higher education agency to see if there are state aid options that they can use while attending WVU. For example, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Grant can be used at WVU for certain amounts.
- Most state aid also requires a FAFSA and has their own FAFSA submission deadlines
- A complete listing of state higher education agencies is available on the U.S. Department of Education website
How Do You Apply for Scholarships as an Incoming Student?
Description: This is the sixth video in the "2021-2022 Intro to Aid" playlist and gives information on WVU scholarships as well as other scholarship options and tips.
Links Shared in Video:
WVU Institutional Scholarships
- Amounts currently range from $500 per year to full cost of attendance
- Amounts vary based on WVU campus (Morgantown, Keyser or Beckley)
- Automatic review process once you are admitted
- WVU super-scores for ACT or SAT scores (if they are submitted)
- For eligible WV residents, most institutional scholarhips can be utilized in addition to PROMISE
- Students must be admitted to WVU by May 1, 2021 for consideration. Please note that WVU Morgantown Foundation and Bucklew Scholarships have earlier deadlines.
- Students may submit high school transcripts and test scores until July 15, 2021 if they are admitted by May 1, 2021 admission deadline
- Monitor the WVU Hub website for deadline updates. Deadlines are occasionally extended for new scholarships and accepting updated transcripts or test scores.
Scholarships by Campus
- Use our scholarship estimator to estimate your scholarship eligibility
- The scholarship estimator for first-time freshman students can be found at the Undergraduate Admissions website
- The scholarship estimator for first-time transfer students can be found at the Undergraduate Admissions website
- You can review all scholarship opportunities on our Scholarships page
Departmental Scholarships
WVU Morgantown Departmental Scholarships
- Some college departments follow the automatic review process (like institutional scholarships), including admission deadlines
- Other college departments require an additional application and have different deadlines
- More information about Departmental Scholarships is available on our Departmental or College Scholarships webpage
External Scholarships
Information on third-party or private scholarships and scholarship search engines can be found on our Scholarships webpage, but some of the most common ways to find private scholarships are listed below.
- High school counselors
- Businesses
- Alumni associations
- Libraries
- Churches
- Non-profit organizations
- Search engines
- WVU departmental scholarships
Tips on Applying
- Keep applying for scholarships throughout your college journey - not just freshman year
- Do not skip the "small" stuff - apply early, often, and for everything
- It is in the student's best interest to apply for scholarships themselves
- Search for scholarships specific to your major, hobbies, location, heritage, high school and upcoming enrollment levels
- Beware of scams including requests for your Social Security Number, fees and guarantees to win
- Be aware of deadlines. These usually occur in the fall or spring of the following year
- Think of your search like a job and set aside time each week
What Are Some Other Options to Reduce Cost or Fund Educational Expenses?
Description: This is the seventh video in the "2021-2022 Intro to Aid" playlist and gives information on other potential options for funding educational expenses.
Links Shared in Video:
What if federal, state, and institutional aid don't cover the student's bill? Visit our Other Funding Options webpage for more options, such Family Contribution Appeals and our monthly payment plan.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend WVU?
Description: This is the eighth video in the "2021-2022 Intro to Aid" playlist and gives information on understanding cost of attendance for financial aid.
Links Shared in Video:
Estimated Cost of Attendance
Cost of attendance includes both costs you will be billed by the institution and other estimated costs you may have. A full explanation of WVU's cost of attendance can be found on our Estimate Costs & Aid webpage.
- Direct costs: billed by the institution
- Tuition & fees
- Room & board (if living on campus)
- Indirect costs: usually not billed directly
- Books & supplies
- Room & board (if living off campus or with parents)
- Transportation
- Personal expenses
- Other possible costs
Costs can vary based on things like your major, choices you make for housing and more. The Net Price Calculator estimates potential federal financial aid and cost of attendance. The Net Price Calculator includes direct costs the student will be billed but also includes indirect costs.
What Is the Basic Timeline to Follow?
Description: This is the ninth and final video in the "2021-2022 Intro to Aid" playlist and gives information on the overall financial aid timeline.
Links Shared in Video:
A detailed timeline is available on our Timeline webpage.
Fall Timeline
- Become an admitted student with high school transcripts and any ACT or SAT scores submitted to Undergraduate Admissions
- Use our Net Price Calculator to start estimating costs and potential financial aid eligibility
- Submit a FAFSA
- West Virginia residents submit PROMISE Scholarship application
- Apply for external scholarships
- Financial aid offers for admitted incoming freshman are typically sent in December
Spring Timeline
- Submit your FAFSA before the March 1 priority deadline
- First-times freshman who are West Virginia residents must complete the PROMISE application and FAFSA by the March 1 deadline
- Utilize the Cost and Resource Planner to estimate more individualized direct costs based on offered aid, housing and dining choices and college program
- Submit updated high school transcripts and test scores
- Continue to apply for external scholarships