West Virginia is known as the “Mountain State” because it is the one state that is completely within the Appalachian Mountain Range. West Virginia scholarships can help make your climb to financial success a reality–unlike educational loans, the scholarships listed here never need to be paid back!
How to win West Virginia scholarships
West Virginia is a unique state due to its mountainous terrain in the middle of the Appalachian Mountains. This distinctive landscape makes West Virginia a sought out state for college.
In order to win West Virginia scholarships, you will need to connect this uniqueness of West Virginia to the uniqueness of you! Meaning, you should be connecting your passions and interests to West Virginia and how West Virginia has helped you reach your goals.
For example, if you enjoy hiking the Appalachian Trail in West Virginia, maybe your career goal is to become a park ranger. If so, describe how you were inspired in your scholarship applications! This will cause scholarship admission boards to recognize you as someone who loves the state of West Virginia and wants to remain in West Virginia to complete your career goals. Ultimately, this will help you win West Virginia scholarships.
Writing resources for writing West Virginia scholarships
West Virginia scholarships may call for you to write a 250 word essay or 500 word essay. These scholarships will typically require you to write an essay about yourself and to write a scholarship resume. Therefore, read over our Scholarships360 guide to finding and winning scholarships. Additionally, check out how to start and how to end a scholarship essay to ensure your scholarship essay will be flawless from head to toe!
West Virginia student debt snapshot
According to the Department of Education, in total, West Virginia residents owe $7.2 billion in federal student loan debt. Student borrowers owe an average of $31,690 each (those numbers do not include private loans). Around 50.3% of loan borrowers are under the age of 35. As you are starting your higher education journey, remember that scholarships allow students to take fewer loans. Make sure that you apply to as many scholarships as you qualify for!
Keep on reading to learn more about merit scholarships in West Virginia colleges, as well as some top scholarships in West Virginia!
Merit scholarship at West Virginia colleges and universities
West Virginia University
- Eligibility: Incoming freshmen who are admitted to West Virginia University and who demonstrate a strong academic record
- Amount: $750 up to $16,000
- Deadline: June 1
West Virginia State University
- Eligibility: First year students who have strong academic merit, financial need, leadership, extracurricular activities, community service or any combination of these items
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies
Marshall University
- Eligibility: Freshmen who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and have a 3.0+ GPA and a 1030+ SAT
- Amount: $750 up to $14,000
- Deadline: Admission to Marshall University
Fairmont State University
- Eligibility: Incoming freshmen who demonstrate competitive talent and academic merit
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: March 1
Concord University
- Eligibility: First year students who demonstrate high academic achievement
- Amount: $1,000 up to $10,000
- Deadline: Admission to Concord University
West Virginia Wesleyan College
- Eligibility: Freshmen who have strong academic merit
- Amount: $13,000 up to $18,000
- Deadline: Admission to West Virginia Wesleyan College
Consider in-state tuition and tuition reciprocity
In-state tuition allows residents of a state to receive cheaper tuition for a college or university in their state. Additionally, many universities and colleges reserve scholarships and financial aid for in-state students, which helps reduce the cost of attending college for those who live there.
Here are a few well-known West Virginia universities and their in-state vs out-of-state tuition costs:
- In-state tuition: $9,648
- Out-of-state tuition: $27,360
- In-state tuition: $8,942
- Out-of-state tuition: $20,294
How do you get in-state tuition?
Being a West Virginia resident can greatly reduce the cost of tuition at West Virginia colleges and universities. In order to become a resident for tuition purposes, you will need to continuously reside in West Virginia prior to enrolling in any West Virginia institution. Additionally, you will need to provide proof of payment through WV income taxes, a WV motor vehicle registration, and a WV driver’s license.
Does West Virginia offer tuition reciprocity?
Yes, West Virginia is a part of the Academic Common Market tuition reciprocity program. This program is a limited regional reciprocity agreement among select Southern states where favorable college tuition rates in nearby states are sometimes possible through reciprocity.
West Virginia scholarship spotlight
West Virginia Invests Grant
- Eligibility: Legal residents of West Virginia for a minimum of one year immediately before applying. Must be enrolled in college at least half-time
- Amount: Full cost of tuition and fees
- Deadline: Rolling
West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program
- Eligibility: West Virginia high school graduates with financial need who are working towards their first undergraduate degree
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: April 15
West Virginia Nursing Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Students enrolled at least half-time in an accredited West Virginia nursing program and in good academic standing
- Amount: Up to $15,000
- Deadline: June 1
Korean American Scholarship Foundation – Eastern Regional Chapter
- Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and graduate students of Korean heritage with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Must have financial need and live in the Eastern region states (Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia).
- Amount: Up to $15,000 per year
- Deadline: June 30
West Virginia Promise Scholarship
- Eligibility: West Virginia high school graduates who plan to attend college in West Virginia with a 3.0+ GPA
- Amount: Up to $5,200
- Deadline: May 1
Additional West Virginia resources
West Virginia University Merit Scholarships
In-state and out-of-state West Virginia students who attend one of the four WVU campuses (located in Morgantown, Beckley, or Keyser, and are eligible for up to $16,000 per year in merit scholarships. Applicants are automatically considered when applying to WVU.
FAFSA Guide
On October 1st of every year, the FAFSA opens. In West Virginia, the deadline is April 15. Keep in mind that for the WV Higher Education Grant Program and WV Invests Grant consideration, you must apply before that deadline.
Frequently asked questions about West Virginia scholarships
What type of scholarships does West Virginia offer?
Do I need to be a West Virginia resident to receive West Virginia scholarships?
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