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Jessica Tice
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jessica.tice@wvhepc.edu
College Foundation of West Virginia sees promising early results in providing college counseling through text messaging
Charleston, W.Va. – During a meeting of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission held today, state officials announced that a pilot project to provide college counseling through text messaging is yielding encouraging results. The project, which is part of the Commission’s statewide College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) outreach initiative, provides students with a series of text message reminders to help them succeed in college. Students can text back anytime to receive free assistance from a counselor. Dr. Ben Castleman and Katharine Meyer, researchers from the University of Virginia, recently released a working paper outlining early results from the effort. Their…
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For class of 2016, more than 3,500 students awarded PROMISE scholarship
West Virginia providing $92 million in college financial aid this academic year Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission today announced that more than 3,500 students who graduated from high school this year have been awarded PROMISE Scholarships, annual awards of up to $4,750 they can use beginning this fall toward tuition and fees at colleges and universities in West Virginia. Students are receiving award letters in their mailboxes this week. Additional PROMISE Scholarships may be awarded as eligible students are identified through June 2016 ACT and SAT testing scores. “Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and the West Virginia…
Continue Reading200 eighth grade students to attend ‘GEAR UP U’ at West Virginia State University
For Planning Purposes: June 21, 2016 Contact: Jessica Kennedy, Director of Communications and Outreach Division of Student Affairs (304) 532-0911 – cell jessica.kennedy@wvhepc.edu 200 eighth grade students to attend ‘GEAR UP U’ at West Virginia State University When: June 22-25, 2016 What: GEAR UP U is a four-day, three-night summer academy for West Virginia GEAR UP students in the eighth grade. Students will live on campus, learn more about college, participate in classes, develop leadership skills, and meet students from across the state. Additional information, including the camp schedule, is available at www.wvgearup.org/u Who: 200 eighth grade students participating in…
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West Virginia student named to national ‘GEAR UP’ leadership academy
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – James “Ikie” Brooks, a native of Boone County, has been selected to participate in the highly competitive “GEAR UP Alumni Leadership Academy,” (GUALA) a 12-month national leadership program providing students across the country with intensive training in civic engagement and community development. The GUALA program identifies students with exceptional leadership potential and provides training to help them engage their peers, schools and communities in creating a college-going culture. Brooks, a junior at Marshall University, was one of 24 students selected from a nationwide pool of applicants made up of students who have graduated from high schools served by the federal…
Continue ReadingHigher Education Policy Commission and Kanawha County Schools awarded grant to improve FAFSA completion rates
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) announced today that the agency has secured a $55,000 grant from the National College Access Network (NCAN), a nonprofit focusing on ensuring equal access to higher education. The grant will fund a project in partnership with Kanawha County Schools (KCS) to increase the number of 12th graders completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The announcement comes on the heels of recent news that West Virginia has jumped to fourth in the nation in ensuring students complete the FAFSA — a crucial step toward preparing for college. “We are delighted to…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia ranks fourth in the nation in FAFSA completion rates
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – According to a recent announcement from the National College Access Network (NCAN), West Virginia is one of only four states to see gains in Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rates so far this year. And the state ranks fourth overall nationally in FAFSA completion — jumping up from 10th place last year. Thirty-seven high schools in West Virginia met or exceeded the state’s spring benchmark for increasing the number of 12th graders who complete the FAFSA, the primary application for state and federal financial aid for college. In January, the College Foundation of West Virginia…
Continue ReadingHigher Education Policy Commission approves new president at West Virginia State University
Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission voted unanimously today to grant final approval of the West Virginia State University Board of Governors’ recent selection of Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins as the institution’s 11th president. “We look forward to working with Dr. Jenkins as he takes the helm at West Virginia State University during this critically important time for higher education in West Virginia – a time when it is imperative that we produce more college graduates prepared to move our state forward,” said Dr. Paul Hill, the Commission’s Chancellor. “We also thank President Brian Hemphill for…
Continue ReadingCollege students come together to promote student leadership on campus
WESTON, W.Va. – College students from across West Virginia are meeting at Jackson’s Mill this week to learn new ways to strengthen their campus communities. More than 75 student representatives from West Virginia’s public two-year and four-year colleges and universities are participating in the annual West Virginia Student Leadership Conference, which kicks off today and continues through Wednesday. The conference is sponsored by the West Virginia Community and Technical College System (WVCTCS), the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) and Shepherd University. During the conference, students will attend breakout sessions focused on helping them inspire and engage their classmates…
Continue Reading‘College Decision Day’ events to celebrate students for committing to higher education
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Thirty-four West Virginia high schools will participate in the annual statewide “College Decision Day” campaign to recognize high school seniors who plan to pursue some type of education or training beyond high school. College Decision Day is organized by the College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV), an initiative coordinated by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission to help students go to college and succeed. “College Decision Day is inspired by sports events, such as the NCAA national signing day and the NFL draft,” Dr. Paul L. Hill, Chancellor for the Commission, said. “We want to make sure…
Continue ReadingCollege presidents, officials to recognize Mingo Central students during College Decision Day
DELBARTON, W.Va. – Mingo Central High School will celebrate ‘College Decision Day,’ an event honoring students who plan to pursue some form of education or training beyond high school, on April 12 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. College Decision Day is organized by the College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV), an initiative coordinated by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission to help students go to college and succeed. Dr. Paul Hill, Chancellor of West Virginia’s four-year public colleges and universities; Dr. E. Gordon Gee, President of West Virginia University; Dr. Jerome Gilbert, President of Marshall University and Dr. Robert…
Continue ReadingApril 15 deadline approaching for West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program applications
~Higher Education Policy Commission approves increase in award amount for students beginning this fall~ Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission today reminded students that April 15 is the deadline to submit the needed paperwork to be considered for the Higher Education Grant Program (HEGP), the state’s need-based financial aid offering, for college beginning this fall. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serves as the application for HEGP, and is the only document students need to complete to see if they qualify. “We always encourage students to complete the FAFSA to see if they are…
Continue ReadingWVROCKS expands online degree opportunities for adult students with new grant
Charleston, W.Va. – Armed with a new $500,000 grant, the West Virginia Remote Online Collaborative Knowledge System (WVROCKS) is expanding opportunities for adult students in the state to earn Regents Bachelor of Arts (RBA) degrees online. The grant, which was awarded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service program, is funding video equipment that will allow WVROCKS to offer classes online that include synchronous learning beginning in fall 2016. “This grant is another opportunity for us to expand WVROCKS, which offers nontraditional students an unencumbered path toward their degrees,” said Dr. Roxann Humbert, who oversees the portal. “We…
Continue ReadingMarch 1 deadline approaching for PROMISE Scholarship applications
Charleston, W.Va. – High school seniors in the class of 2016 planning to apply for West Virginia’s PROMISE Scholarship program have until March 1 to complete the required forms, the state’s Higher Education Policy Commission office reminded students and families today. Through PROMISE, qualifying high school graduates receive annual awards of up to $4,750 to cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at eligible West Virginia higher education institutions. “Since the PROMISE program started, more than $400 million has been provided to more than 35,000 West Virginia students from all 55 counties to attend a public or independent college…
Continue ReadingCollege Goal Sunday event offers free help with college financial aid forms
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia students can get free help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other college financial aid forms during the state’s annual College Goal Sunday event. College Goal Sunday financial aid workshops will be held February 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at 25 locations. “Completing the FAFSA is a critical step for anyone considering going to college,” Brian Weingart, Senior Director of Financial Aid at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, said. “Students must submit this form in order to be considered for a variety of financial aid programs including state and federal grants,…
Continue ReadingCollege Foundation of West Virginia sets goal to increase FAFSA completion rates
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) today announced a goal to increase the number of 12th graders who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or “FAFSA” to 60 percent. Last year, 57 percent of high school seniors completed the FAFSA, which is the primary application for state and federal financial aid for college. As of January 29, eight percent of this year’s 12th graders have completed the form. A complete list of FAFSA completion rates by high school is available at www.cfwvconnect.com/financial-aid-outreach. According to a report from the White House, “The President’s Plan for Early Financial Aid,”…
Continue ReadingCollege Foundation of West Virginia providing college planning help through text messages
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Students heading to college this fall can receive deadline reminders and get help completing college-related tasks — all through text messaging. The College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) is offering the service to any West Virginia student considering entering a two-year college, four-year college or career and technical program in the fall of 2016. Participating students will receive a few text messages per month reminding them of upcoming deadlines and providing information about important college-planing tasks such as applying for financial aid, registering for orientation and purchasing text books. Additionally, students can text back anytime they have…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia’s higher education community to join forces for Higher Education Day at the Capitol
Charleston, W.Va. – Representatives of higher education institutions from across the state will come together on Tuesday, January 19, for Higher Education Day at the Capitol, an annual event held to recognize West Virginia’s colleges and universities and highlight the far-reaching postsecondary opportunities available across the state. Participating institutions include West Virginia’s public four-year and two-year colleges and universities, along with independent four-year institutions. Each campus will distribute information and have representatives on hand to answer questions. The event is hosted by Paul Hill, Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission; Sarah Tucker, Chancellor of the Community and…
Continue ReadingChancellor Hill joins students at Preston High School for college & career discussion
This week, Chancellor Paul Hill met with a group of juniors and seniors at Preston High School in Kingwood to talk about their plans for life after graduation – if and where they plan to attend college, what career paths they’re considering, and whether financial aid and college access outreach programs are helping them along the way. “These bright students have some incredible aspirations — to be engineers, lawyers, microbiologists and health care providers. I believe they have the drive to reach these goals, and we are working at the state level to ensure they have the support networks they…
Continue ReadingFollowing record degree production, West Virginia higher education leaders collaborate to ‘Double the Degrees’ by 2025
Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) and West Virginia Community and Technical College System (WVCTCS) today announced a shared statewide goal to “Double the Degrees” produced annually in West Virginia by the year 2025. The announcement comes on the heels of a record number of college degrees – more than 18,000 – awarded by West Virginia’s public colleges and universities in 2014. By increasing the number of high-quality certificates, associate degrees and bachelor degrees earned and awarded each year to 40,000, state higher education leaders say West Virginia will be more strongly positioned to meet…
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College Foundation of West Virginia recognizes high schools for meeting FAFSA completion goal
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) announced today that 32 high schools in West Virginia met or exceeded the State’s 2015 goal for increasing the number of 12th graders who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or “FAFSA.” In January, CFWV set a goal of ensuring that at least 60 percent of high school seniors complete the FAFSA, which is the primary application for state and federal financial aid for college, by September 1. “Completing the FAFSA is one of the most important steps in pursuing higher education,” Brian Weingart, Senior Director for Financial Aid…
Continue ReadingHigher Education Policy Commission approves new presidents at Marshall, Shepherd and West Liberty universities
–New Commissioner Andrew Payne sworn in– Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission voted unanimously today to grant final approval of three presidential selections – Dr. Jerome Gilbert at Marshall University, Dr. Mary Hendrix at Shepherd University and Dr. Stephen Greiner at West Liberty University. “It is certainly uncommon to have three presidential searches underway at the same time, but I am pleased that stakeholders across each campus – boards, faculty, students and staff – were fully engaged in the processes,” said Dr. Paul Hill, the Commission’s Chancellor. “As an ex-officio member of the search committees, I…
Continue ReadingW.Va. colleges and universities commit to increased support for student veterans
All public undergraduate institutions accept ‘5 Star Challenge’ CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia’s public two-year and four-year colleges and universities are pledging increased support for student veterans during events to be held this week through the State’s ‘5 Star Challenge’ initiative, which launched earlier this fall. The Challenge, which calls on institutions to adopt a set of exemplary standards for supporting student veterans, is a tribute to the military tradition of issuing “challenge coins” to service members who embody the values and standards of their military units. College and university presidents from across West Virginia will participate in ceremonies pledging…
Continue ReadingChancellor Hill talks college and careers with seniors at St. Albans High School
Charleston, W.Va. – This week, Chancellor Paul Hill sat down with a group of seniors at St. Albans High School to discuss their goals for life after high school, why college is important for their futures, and how they can succeed in postsecondary education. “These students are engaged and excited about what’s next, and at the same time they have worries and questions about the process,” Chancellor Hill said. “Programs through the Higher Education Policy Commission are here to help students across West Virginia navigate the college-going process. It was great to share these resources directly with the bright young…
Continue Reading1,300 eighth grade students ‘GEAR UP’ for college
West Liberty mascot wins ‘Mascot Mania’ contest CHARLESTON, W.Va. – More than 1,300 eighth graders attended the West Virginia ‘GEAR UP’ Student Leadership Academy held yesterday at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences. ‘GEAR UP,’ which stands for “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs,” is a federally funded college readiness program coordinated by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. During the event, students learned about college options and the importance of developing their leadership skills to take charge of their futures. Kendyl Ryan, a graduate of the West Virginia GEAR UP program, said GEAR UP has taught her to take…
Continue Reading1,300 students to attend ‘GEAR UP’ student leadership academy in Charleston
For Planning Purposes: October 20, 2015 Contact: Jessica Kennedy, Director of Communications and Outreach Division of Student Affairs (304) 558-0655 – office • (304) 532-0911 – cell jessica.kennedy@wvhepc.edu 1,300 students to attend ‘GEAR UP’ student leadership academy in Charleston When: Wednesday, October 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. What: A leadership academy to inform students of college options and empower them to take charge of their futures. West Virginia GEAR UP will host a leadership academy featuring a presentation from Aric Bostic, a nationally renowned youth leadership coach. Additionally, college mascots from across West Virginia will present dance routines incorporating college information…
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