Other Funding Options
If you or your family will be paying your balance due in full and want information on how to submit payments to the University, visit the Payments webpage for more information. There are also tutorials to help walk you through submitting payment online.
In addition to scholarships, grants, and/or loans offered by the institution, state, or federal government, there are additional ways students can potentially reduce or fund educational expenses.
College Savings (529, Prepaid)
Ohio Reciprocity Reduced Tuition
Garrett College Reduced Tuition
Parent Employed at WVU or WVU Medicine
Private or Department Scholarships
EFC/SAI Calculation Appeal
Sometimes information you provide on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no longer accurately reflects your or your family’s financial situation. There are certain circumstances where financial aid professionals at the University can review and update your FAFSA.
Note: If the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on your Student Aid Report (SAR) is "0" you have already been offered the maximum amount of aid you are eligible to receive. Also, not all appeals will result in additional financial aid.
See our EFC/SAI Calculation Appeal webpage for conditions that may be considered for appeal as well as instructions on requesting and completing the appeal.
College Savings Plans
If you invested in a college savings plan such as a 529 or prepaid college plan, contact your plan manager for instructions on how to send funds to the University. Some plans only require a request from the plan holder while others need a bill printed from the student’s WVU Portal.
Veterans Benefits
If you are receiving Veterans benefits, visit our Veterans webpage to find more information for your campus.
Ohio Reciprocity Reduced Tuition
As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to certain majors on our Morgantown campus can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. See the Admissions Ohio Tuition Reciprocity Agreement website for more information.
Garrett College Reduced Tuition
In many cases, students at Garrett College (Maryland) can enroll at WVU's Morgantown campus for in-state tuition rates. See the Admissions Reduced Tuition for Garrett College Students website for more information.
Parent Employed at WVU or WVU Medicine
Parents employed at WVU or WVU Medicine may qualify for benefits which can assist with tuition for their dependent children.
WVU employees can find information on the WVU Talent and Culture Dependent Education Scholarship website.
Parents employed with WVU Medicine should contact WVU Medicine Human Resources for information on eligibility, deadlines, maximum benefits, and program guidelines. Information on the awarding process after applying through WVU Medicine and potential benefits with example scenarios can be found on our WVU Medicine Employee Dependent Tuition Benefit webpage.
Third-Party Sponsors
Third-party sponsors are entities which pay institutional charges for a student. Examples include Vocational Rehabilitation, military, employers, etc. Students may qualify for assistance through these entities and should contact them for eligibility requirements and application instructions.
More information on what third-party sponsors should provide is available on the Third-Party Billing website.
Private or Department Scholarships
Students should always continue seeking additional scholarship assistance through their department (i.e. program of study) and private establishments. To view a breakdown of different scholarship sources as well as tips on applying, go to our Scholarships webpage.
Tuition Payment Plan
West Virginia University offers a payment plan to help students spread all or a portion of their institutional charges over several months.
- Break semester charges into as many as five smaller payments.
- Sign up in July to utilize the full five-installment option.
- Signing up later means fewer installments to pay and larger payments.
The payment plan is also a great tool to minimize borrowing whenever possible. For example, perhaps you can't do the monthly payment plan for your full balance due and intend to pursue credit-based loan options to cover your bill. However, you know you can afford to pay $100 a month. You can set up the payment plan for $100 a month, and pursue the credit-based loan for the rest of your balance due. This could save you up to $4,800 in loan debt over the course of four years - not including what you save on interest! Please note if you are taking a credit-based loan out to receive a refund for books or living expenses, that loan will go toward your balance due first before disbursing a refund (even if you have a payment plan set up). Also, be cognizant of whether or not your credit-based loan starts repayment when determining how much you can afford in a payment plan for the month.
View more information or sign up for the payment plan on our Tuition Payment Plan webpage.
The payment plan is usually available in July for the fall semester. Students can estimate their plan using the Cost and Resource Planner, if necessary. It's better not to wait for the semester charges and to sign up as early as possible to spread payments out over as many months as possible.
Student Employment
Students can seek on or off campus employment to help with non billable (indirect) costs – such as supplies, personal, and transportation costs – through the Handshake job search database at on the Career Services website.
- Working 0 to 20 hours per week has been shown to have a positive impact on time management and overall GPA.
- Part-time employment usually offers the flexibility to work around class schedules.
- Working part-time can also help students build their resumes and gain a network of new friends and mentors.
- Some students may be offered Federal Work-Study (FWS) based on financial need as determined by submission of their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), but students do not need to have FWS to apply for part-time jobs on- and off-campus.
Credit-Based Loans
There are a variety of different credit-based loan options from the federal government and private lenders. Credit-based loans require an application and credit approval. However, there are differences between federal and private loans such as the borrower, the lender, interest rates, fees, and terms. We have tools to help you determine what works best for you!
Private Loans
- Interest rates vary by lender.
- The borrower may be the student or the parent (depending on lender and loan).
- Student usually needs a cosigner.
- Visit our Private Loans webpage for more information, including tips, when to apply, comparing the PLUS Loan to private loans, comparing private lenders, and search resources.
PLUS Loans
Parent PLUS Loans are potential options for parents of dependent undergraduate students. These loans are in the parent's name.
Graduate PLUS Loans are potential options that can be borrowed by graduate-level students. These loans are in the graduate student's name.
- Interest rates are fixed. Visit the Federal Student Aid website on student loan interest for the most up-to-date information on current interest rates for federal loans.
- Borrowers can begin applying for PLUS Loans starting in May for the following academic year at the Federal Student Aid website.
- Visit our Federal Parent PLUS Loan webpage or Federal Graduate PLUS Loan webpage for more information and frequently asked questions.