West Virginia ranks fourth in the nation in FAFSA completion rates

May 19, 2016

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 (CFWV) set a goal of ensuring that 60 percent of West Virginia high school seniors complete the form by September 1. As of May 6 (the most recent date for which data is available), 52 percent of West Virginia 12th graders had completed a FAFSA.

“Completing the FAFSA is one of the most important steps in pursuing higher education,” Brian Weingart, Senior Director for Financial Aid at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) and West Virginia Community and Technical College System (WVCTCS), said. “By completing this one form, students can be considered to receive thousands of dollars in grants — that’s ‘free money’ that you don’t have to pay back.”

Nationally, researchers and policy leaders have recognized that increasing the number of students who complete the FAFSA is a proven strategy for increasing college-going rates, as cost and affordability are leading factors influencing students’ decisions to pursue postsecondary education.

“Applying for financial aid can be a little overwhelming and sometimes students simply don’t realize they could qualify for aid,” Dr. Adam Green, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the Commission, said. “Submitting the FAFSA and receiving a financial aid award letter can be a game changer — suddenly college doesn’t seem so far out of reach.”

To ensure more students reach this crucial milestone, the Commission, WVCTCS, and college and university partners across the state have been working with high school counselors and administrators and community partners to increase awareness of the FAFSA and help students and families complete the form.

Students can complete the FAFSA any time after January 1 in the year they intend to go to college. Filing the FAFSA allows students to be considered for the Federal Pell Grant, which this year provided students with up to $5,815 to cover the cost of tuition and other education expenses. Students who filed the form before April 15 will also be considered for up to $2,700 through the West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program. Additionally, completing the FAFSA is a requirement of applying for state scholarship programs, including the PROMISE Scholarship. More information about these programs and other financial aid opportunities is available at cfwv.com, the state’s free college-planning website.

The following high schools met or exceeded West Virginia’s 2016 FAFSA completion spring benchmark of ensuring 55 percent of students complete a FAFSA by April 15:

Bishop Donahue Memorial High School
Bluefield High School
Bridgeport High School
Cameron High School
Cross Lanes Christian School
East Hardy High School
Frankfort High School
George Washington High School
Greenbrier East High School
Hedgesville High School
Hundred High School
Hurricane High School
Jefferson High School
Keyser High School
Magnolia High School
Mingo Central High School
Nicholas County High School
Paden City High School
Paw Paw High School
Pendleton County High School
Petersburg High School
Pocahontas County High School
Ravenswood High School
Ripley High School
Ritchie County High School
Roane County High School
Sissonville High School
Tug Valley High School
Tyler Consolidated High School
University High School
Valley High School – Fayette County
Wahama High School
Washington High School
Webster County High School
Williamstown High School
Winfield High School
Wirt County High School

A complete list of FAFSA completion rates by high school is available at www.cfwvconnect.com/financial-aid-outreach .

CFWV is a college- and career-planning outreach initiative led by the Commission in collaboration with WVCTCS, the West Virginia Department of Education and the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts.

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Media note: The NCAN announcement referenced in the article is available at this link: http://www.collegeaccess.org/BlogItem?dg=93febb26b6c94744b9d394b9d79946e5

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West Virginia ranks fourth in the nation in FAFSA completion rates

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