Financial Aid

FAFSA IS NOW OPEN!

Seniors, if you have questions concerning completing your FAFSA you may request individual FAFSA assistance by contacting the Division of Financial Aid @ wvfinancialaid@wvhepc.edu or calling (304) 558-4619.
*They will be able to answer specific questions on an individual basis.

FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP HANDOUTS

**In case you were not able to attend the Financial Aid workshop we have attached the handouts with valuable information.

FINANCIAL AID 101

1. The Basics

So you've decided to go to college. Great choice! A college education can open many doors in your professional and personal life.

College is an investment in your future, and many options exist for financing that investment. The first step is to understand these options and make the best decisions based on your family's situation.

These questions introduce you to the basics of financial aid. If this process is new to you, read through all the questions and answers from top to bottom.

2. Determine Your Eligibility

If you understand the types of financial aid and how the process works, you can figure out what types of aid you may be eligible to receive.

3. Apply! Apply! Apply!

You won't get any aid without taking the next step: you must APPLY!

You are not obligated to accept any financial aid until you receive the funds, so there is no harm in applying. Be sure to review the eligibility requirements, though. If you're sure you don't meet them, don't waste valuable time applying. However, if you think you might be eligible, APPLY! You can also seek help from a college's financial aid office to get more information on eligibility.

"Don't be shy about applying somewhere because of the perceived cost [of tuition]. Apply and find out what the real cost will be," says Jim Kolesar, a spokesman for Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

4. Consider Your Loan Options

So you've learned about financial aid, determined your eligibility, and filled out all those applications. Soon you should receive your financial aid award letters from the colleges you are considering. It's exciting to think about starting college! But before you accept an award package, make sure you fully understand your options and responsibilities.

5. Enjoy College and Know Your Responsibilities

Congratulations! All your hard work and research has finally paid off. You have been accepted to the college of your choice and have secured the best financial aid package for you and your family. Enjoy the college experience, and study hard. And remember that your financial aid responsibilities will continue throughout your college career. To continue receiving aid, you'll need to keep working towards your degree.

FAFSA is the KEY!

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the key that opens the door to financial aid. It serves as the application for most of the financial aid from federal and state programs and from colleges and universities. Even if you are not sure that you will need financial aid, we recommend that you fill out a FAFSA anyway -- it's free.

The FAFSA launches on October 1 each year.

When you file the 2021-22 FAFSA, you will use what the U.S. Department of Education calls the Prior Prior Year (PPY) for income information. This means that you will use your 2019 income information to complete the 2021-22 FAFSA.

You should submit the FAFSA as soon after the official starting date, which is now October 1, as possible, making sure you meet any college or state deadlines. The quickest and most accurate way to file the FAFSA is online. In contrast to a paper copy, the online form displays only the data entry fields you need to complete. You also receive directions as you need them. The FAFSA site is also available in Spanish.

To complete the FAFSA you will need an FSA ID (Federal Student Aid), a username and password that enables you to log in to some Department of Education websites.

You may wish to make use of the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT). This tool transfers your income tax information directly from the income tax form that you filed onto the FAFSA. You can read more about this process and find out when your tax information will be available through the IRS DRT here.

If you prefer to fill out a paper copy of the FAFSA, you can obtain one by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID.

The FAFSA may not be the only form required to receive an award letter from a school. You must also complete the college admissions process. Check with each of the colleges and universities you listed on your FAFSA to determine their requirements.

If you filed your FAFSA electronically, you will receive an electronic Student Aid Report (SAR) within a few days of submitting your completed FAFSA. (SAR results may take three weeks if you filed a paper FAFSA.) The SAR is the result of your FAFSA. Read it immediately and follow any directions. The schools you list on the FAFSA will also receive results. You can also file your FAFSA by using the "myFederalAid" app on your mobile device. Go to either the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app.