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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia’s Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) and Community and Technical College System (CTCS) today released fall 2019 enrollment data for the state’s public two- and four-year postsecondary education institutions. Notably, enrollment of first-time freshmen in the state’s nine community and technical colleges increased 9.9 percent from fall 2018 to fall 2019, meaning more than 3,000 freshmen entered those campuses this semester. “As we were working to pass the free community college bill during the 2019 legislative session, our hope and expectation was that there would be several students who wouldn’t have otherwise gone on to college…

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) today reauthorized Wheeling University to confer degrees through May 22, 2020, conditioned upon providing additional information that assures the school will have adequate financial backing, academic support and leadership in place through the academic year. The vote followed an Aug. 13-14 on-campus evaluation of the university by Commission staff. The Commission twice postponed the annual reauthorization vote after the school declared financial exigency in March, terminated a large number of academic programs and ended its Jesuit affiliation and then placed its president on administrative leave just minutes before the…

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) elected its slate of officers for the next year, selecting Michael J. Farrell as its chairman for his third consecutive term.  At its June 14 meeting, the state’s higher education coordinating board also re-elected Andrew “Drew” Payne as vice chairman and Diana Lewis Jackson as secretary.  The Commission provides analytical and support services to the Executive Branch, Legislature and each of the four-year universities and colleges.  Its staff provides the same services to the West Virginia Community and Technical College System and its two-year institutions. Farrell, a Huntington lawyer…

South Charleston, W.Va. – Colleges in West Virginia are keeping college affordable as the lowest tuition increase in nearly a decade was reviewed by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) earlier today.  For the 2019-20 academic year, the average cost of in-state tuition at the four-year institutions will be $7,690, a 2.4 percent increase over last year. “We know the number one reason high school students don’t attend college is concern over the cost.  The four-year public institutions have heard that concern and are trying to address it by keeping their tuition predictable and affordable,” said Dr. Sarah…

Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) today awarded a combined $315,000 to 12 health sciences students from across West Virginia to help pay for their education.  The awards are part of the state’s Health Sciences Service Program. Since its inception, the program has provided $3.1 million in funding to help 229 awardees cover education expenses in exchange for a commitment to practice in a rural or underserved community in West Virginia following their graduation.  These health care professionals practice in places such as community health centers, rural health clinics and long-term care facilities. “The financial…

Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker to lead both WV HEPC and CTCS organizations SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — During its regularly scheduled meeting today, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) named Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, Chancellor of the West Virginia Community and Technical College System (CTCS), as interim chancellor of the Commission.  This will be a dual role, and Tucker will continue as the chancellor of the CTCS.  She succeeds Carolyn Long who has served in the role since July 2018. “Chancellor Tucker is uniquely qualified and well positioned to serve in this role,” said Commission Chairman Michael J. Farrell. …

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – S&P Global Ratings recently affirmed its ‘A+’ long-term and underlying ratings on the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (the Commission) adding, “The outlook is stable.” According to S&P Global Ratings, “The rating reflects our view of the bonds’ strong security pledge, and healthy annual and maximum annual debt service coverage…” The Commission, according to the last audit of June 30, 2018, holds approximately $304.7 million in fixed-rate debt.  HEPC carries the debt on behalf of public colleges and universities.  Taking on the debt as a system provides a cost saving in lower interest rates, ultimately saving…

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Parents might complain about their children’s excessive texting.  But the 1.4 million text messages sent to young West Virginians by the College Foundation of West Virginia (CFWV) are communications they will probably be glad their kids are receiving. The program, Txt 4 Success, works to send timely information regarding state financial aid deadlines and college reminders to high school seniors and college freshmen.  Since its inception, Txt 4 Success has sent out more than 1.4 million texts to subscribers of the service.  Among the results are a 7 percentage point increase in a student more likely to…

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – More than half of all high school seniors in the state have taken the first step toward earning a postsecondary degree or certificate by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). “FAFSA is the gateway to federal financial aid resources, but it’s also used in determining eligibility for state and school financial aid,” said Brian Weingart, Senior Director of Financial Aid at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC). While the March 1 deadline to apply for the West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship has passed, the April 15 deadline for the West Virginia Higher…

Higher Education Policy Commission seeks advisory committee members to improve primary and rural healthcare education Applicants and nominations sought for positions on the Division of Health Sciences’ Advisory Committee CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s Division of Health Sciences is seeking nominations of qualified individuals to participate on its Advisory Committee.  Members of the Advisory Committee provide guidance to the Division on ongoing and proposed Division initiatives. “Our hope is to assemble a diverse and dynamic group of individuals who will provide advice and creative insight into increasing the impact of our division’s activities,” said Laura…

Officials say 60 percent of West Virginians need postsecondary credentials by 2030 MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia’s higher education leaders today set a goal to have 60 percent of the state’s workforce with a formal education credential beyond high school by the year 2030. That means nearly doubling the percentage of working-age West Virginians with a high-quality postsecondary credential in a little more than a decade. “West Virginia’s Climb,” the campaign to reach this goal, was launched at the annual Student Success Summit, which attracts nearly 500 educators from across the state and is jointly sponsored by the West Virginia…