W.Va. higher education office provides financial aid assistance to students and families

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – With key state financial aid deadlines approaching, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) is offering students and their families free assistance with application forms. Students seeking individual assistance can call the Commission’s financial aid hotline at 888-825-5707 to ask questions or set up an appointment with a financial aid counselor.

“The FAFSA is the first and most important step for students,” said Dr. Paul Hill, the Commission’s Chancellor. “We encourage anyone thinking about going to college to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after the beginning of the year – and to fully explore the wide range of financial aid options available in West Virginia.”

Completing the FAFSA early will ensure that all upcoming deadlines are met. Those applying for West Virginia’s merit-based PROMISE Scholarship must complete both the FAFSA and PROMISE application by March 1. The FAFSA is the only application students must complete to be considered for the state’s need-based Higher Education Grant, which has a deadline of April 15. West Virginia students who meet the criteria for both aid programs have the ability to “stack” the awards.

In addition to one-on-one assistance, the Commission’s Division of Financial Aid coordinates FAFSA and financial aid workshops at high schools across the state. Students and their families also can get free help completing the FAFSA during College Goal Sunday, a series of events scheduled at 24 locations statewide on February 15.

For more information about College Goal Sunday, a calendar of FAFSA and financial aid workshops, and details on state and federal financial aid programs, visit the state’s free college-planning resource, the College Foundation of West Virginia, at www.cfwv.com.

The FAFSA is available at www.fafsa.gov.

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