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Report: More Mountain State students pursuing higher education
Braxton, Doddridge and Clay counties lead the way in improving college-going rates Charleston, W.Va. – More West Virginia high school graduates went on to pursue higher education last year, according to a report released today by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) and West Virginia Community and Technical College System (CTCS). The college-going rate increased for the second consecutive year, inching up by 0.3 percent — or 266 students — from 2015 to 2016. “These gains, while subtle, represent a solid step in the right direction,” Dr. Paul Hill, HEPC Chancellor, said. “For several years, the impact of…
Continue ReadingState Journal: Report: WV public higher ed makes $2.7 billion annual impact on the state
According to research by West Virginia University, the state’s 21 public institutions of higher education contributed approximately $2.7 billion to the Mountain State’s economy in 2014. The research also showed that the public institutions supported 22,000 jobs. The study, commissioned by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and completed by the WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research, centered on West Virginia’s 12 four-year institutions and nine two–year institutions. The two institutions that were the largest contributors to the overall impact were West Virginia University (main campus) at $1.4 billion and Marshall University at $397.7 million. The impact numbers for…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia’s public higher education institutions have $2.7 billion impact on state
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia’s 21 public institutions of higher education contributed approximately $2.7 billion to the state’s economy in 2014, according to a report released today by the West Virginia University Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER). The research also showed that the public institutions supported 22,000 jobs. The study, commissioned by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, centered around West Virginia’s 12 four-year institutions and nine two–year institutions. Additionally, when combined with tuition, student spending and other sources of revenue, the economic impact of these institutions was nearly seven times the amount of the state’s appropriation for the…
Continue ReadingNational College Access Network: How three cities plan to boost FAFSA completion
In May, NCAN announced the 22 U.S. cities we chose to receive up to $55,000 each for the FAFSA Completion Challenge Grant. Through this project, generously supported through a $1.6 million grant from The Kresge Foundation, NCAN is challenging the 22 cities to increase FAFSA completion rates by at least 5 percent for the graduating high school class of 2017. Two significant changes to the FAFSA coming this fall will make applying for aid easier and better-timed than ever for low-income students. The grant funding will support the planning and execution of citywide, cross-sector FAFSA completion efforts for the 2016-17…
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…
Continue ReadingChancellor Hill: Marking 50 years of the Higher Education Act
On November 8, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Higher Education Act, unparalleled federal legislation that strengthened investments in public colleges and universities and provided dedicated support to students pursuing higher education. On that day 50 years ago, he said, “This will swing open a new door for the young people of America…the most important door that will ever open – the door to education.” This was a touchstone moment for higher education in our country. It made postsecondary education a national priority and placed it within the reach of more lower- and middle-income Americans. And it avowed…
Continue ReadingMore than 3,200 PROMISE scholars eligible to begin college this fall in West Virginia
Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission today announced that more than 3,200 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. Additional PROMISE Scholarships will be awarded as eligible students are identified through June 2015 ACT and SAT testing scores. “Again this year, the PROMISE Scholarship is making college more accessible and affordable for thousands of West Virginia students,” said Paul Hill, the Commission’s Chancellor. “Through this merit-based program,…
Continue ReadingW.Va. Higher Education Policy Commission adopts reverse transfer policy aimed at advancing degree completion
Shepherdstown, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) today voted unanimously to approve a reverse transfer policy that facilitates degree completion. The procedural rule allows students who have transferred from a community college to a four-year institution, prior to receiving their associate degree, to be awarded an associate degree from the two-year college after earning enough credits while pursuing a bachelor’s degree. “One of the biggest challenges facing higher education today is ensuring more students are earning their degree credentials,” said Paul Hill, the Commission’s Chancellor. “This policy represents a strong step in our multifaceted approach to…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia colleges working together to support students with disabilities
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Representatives from West Virginia’s public colleges and universities met in South Charleston today to discuss strategies to support students with disabilities. The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) and West Virginia Community and Technical College System (WVCTCS) hosted a one-day workshop focusing on policies, communications practices and environmental and learning resources to encourage a campus-wide culture that supports diversity and accessibility. “Ensuring access for all students is critical to fulfilling our mission of providing high-quality education and training programs to meet the needs of West Virginia’s communities,” James Skidmore, Chancellor of the WVCTCS, said. “Compliance…
Continue ReadingApril 15 financial aid deadline fast approaching for W.Va. students
Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) today reminded high school seniors, college students and others planning to attend a West Virginia higher education institution this fall that April 15, 2015 is the deadline for submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for the state’s Higher Education Grant. “The Higher Education Grant is West Virginia’s largest need-based financial aid program,” said Paul Hill, the Commission’s Chancellor. “Each year, it places college within reach for thousands of West Virginia students who have a demonstrated financial need. With the deadline quickly approaching for…
Continue ReadingHealth Sciences Service Program makes awards to health profession students committed to practicing in West Virginia
Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) announced today that 14 outstanding health profession master/doctoral students from across the state are the newest recipients of Health Sciences Service Program awards, which are granted to students committed to practicing for at least two years in an underserved area of West Virginia. “This program is a win-win for our students and our state,” said Paul Hill, the Commission’s Chancellor. “This year’s remarkable student recipients represent the next generation of health professionals who will fill the critical role of serving in West Virginia’s high-need areas.” The Health Sciences Service…
Continue ReadingDeadline approaching for PROMISE Scholarship applications
Charleston, W.Va. – High school seniors in the class of 2015 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 ReadingW.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…
Continue ReadingNearly $500,000 grant set to expand opportunities for adult learners across West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant program is positioned to expand online learning opportunities for adults in West Virginia seeking to complete a Regents Bachelor of Arts (RBA) degree. Through the $499,991 grant, which was awarded to the West Virginia Network (WVNET), students will be able to participate in live video classes from the convenience of their laptop or tablet using a web conferencing system. “We have placed an increased emphasis in West Virginia on helping adult learners complete postsecondary education,” said Dr. Paul Hill, Chancellor of the West Virginia…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia joins collaboration of states working to make distance education easier for students
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission today announced that West Virginia has become one of the first states approved as a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), a nationwide collaborative working to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by campuses in other states. West Virginia’s participation becomes effective on December 1, 2014. “Making distance education courses more readily accepted across state lines will help more students progress toward their degrees,” said Dr. Paul L. Hill, the Commission’s Chancellor. “Our institutions are doing a great job at growing and leveraging online…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission launches ’15 to Finish’ initiative
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Representatives of West Virginia’s public four-year colleges and universities gathered today in Charleston to launch the Higher Education Policy Commission’s statewide 15 to Finish* campaign, an initiative designed to encourage students to take 15 credit hours each semester and promote timely degree completion. “Enrolling in and completing at least 15 credits per semester is essential to completing a degree on time – within four years for a four-year degree,” said Dr. Paul L. Hill, the Commission’s Chancellor. “And the payoffs for taking this full course load extend beyond timely degree completion. Research has shown that taking 15…
Continue ReadingWest Virginia awarded $21 million “GEAR UP” college-readiness grant
For immediate release: Monday, September 22, 2014 Contact: Jessica Kennedy, Assistant Director of Communications Division of Student Affairs West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (304) 558-0655 (office) (304) 532-0911 (cell) jkennedy@hepc.wvnet.edu NEWS RELEASE West Virginia awarded $21 million “GEAR UP” college-readiness grant CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Students in ten West Virginia counties will have extra help preparing for college and career training programs, thanks to a $21 million grant awarded to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission). The U.S. Department of Education announced today that the Commission will receive a “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs” (GEAR…
Continue ReadingGovernor Tomblin announces West Virginia’s four-year campuses, community technical colleges to help ease student credit transfer process
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin today announced the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) and the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education (Council) have adopted a joint resolution, which paves the way for a more seamless process for students transferring credits from one public higher education institution to another. According to data from the Commission and Council, the percentage of undergraduate transfers from West Virginia community and technical colleges to four-year institutions has increased by 39.5 percent throughout the last five years. Gov. Tomblin, in his State of the State Address earlier this year,…
Continue ReadingHigher education community embarks upon five-year master plan
Charleston, W.Va. – More than 150 people from across each of West Virginia’s public four-year colleges and universities have converged in Charleston today for a two-day conference hosted by the Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) and focused on the state’s new five-year master plan for higher education, Leading the Way: Access. Success. Impact. Representatives of areas ranging from academic affairs, recruitment and admissions, to career services, retention and community outreach are strategizing about ways to meet the plan’s bold aspirations – with the ultimate goal of solidifying higher education as a means to success for West Virginians and an economic…
Continue ReadingChancellor Hill: Leading the way with a bold plan for higher education
Today at the State Capitol, colleges and universities from across West Virginia have come together to showcase the vast opportunities for a high-quality postsecondary education right here at home. From Shepherdstown to Huntington, Morgantown to Athens, and at multiple points in between, we have an array of affordable options for earning college degrees at public institutions right in our own back yards. Together with these campuses, the Higher Education Policy Commission is tackling a new five-year master plan, Leading the Way: Access. Success. Impact., that builds on recent progress and sets forth bold aspirations for higher education – and a…
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Huntington Herald-Dispatch editorial: New strategy for remedial classes appears to aid students
Published April 12, 2016 in the Huntington Herald-Dispatch One of the tell-tale signs that public education often falls short is that far too many students who graduate from high school aren’t adequately prepared to take on the rigors of college-level math and English. That’s not just a reference to students who did poorly in high school and did not intend to attend a college or university; it applies also to many students who plan to continue their studies and have been accepted at an institution of higher education. In the past, the answer for those students was to take remedial…
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