State of Emergency Declaration by Gov. Jim Justice Making a Difference in West Virginia’s Higher Education Funding
Gov. Jim Justice’s state of emergency declaration in response to ongoing issues with the federal student aid program is already making a positive impact in West Virginia. According to the state Higher Education Policy Commission, over 4,700 students in the state have automatically received scholarships and grants they deserve thanks to the governor’s action.
The declaration allows state funding to be distributed to students without the requirement of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is particularly beneficial for students applying for the Promise Scholarship and need-based higher education grant, as thousands of students who qualified for grants were previously unable to receive them due to FAFSA complications.
Students who apply for the Promise scholarship by September 1st will receive awards of up to $5,500 for the upcoming academic year. Additionally, students who completed last year’s FAFSA and qualify for the need-based higher education grant will receive awards of up to $3,400 for the fall semester.
Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, HEPC Chancellor, emphasized the importance of continuing to apply for the FAFSA despite ongoing challenges. She highlighted that students could receive up to $7,395 from the federal government, a significant amount towards their college education.
With National College Decision Day approaching, many high school seniors are still awaiting critical financial aid information due to delays in the FAFSA form rollout. Colleges and universities are working to manually assist students through the process.
Tucker encouraged students to visit collegeforwv.com or call the financial aid hotline for assistance. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito also raised concerns about FAFSA issues with U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, who stated that the form now takes about 15 minutes to complete.
Governor Justice noted a 40 percent decline in FAFSA completion among West Virginia high school students this year due to federal government delays. Despite these challenges, the state is taking proactive measures to ensure students receive the financial support they need for their higher education.
