Scholarships In West Virginia
A number of scholarships are available in West Virginia; some are based on achievement or are need-based while others require a service obligation on part of the recipient student.
Whether you are in Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, Wheeling or anywhere else in West Virginia, the information outlined below should be of use to you.
Scholarships in West Virginia
West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship: The PROMISE (Providing Real Opportunities for Maximizing In-State Student Excellence) Scholarship is for West Virginia students to provide full tuition to a state college or university or an equivalent scholarship to an in-state private college. The annual award amount is up to $4,750. The student must have 3.0 GPA, ACT composite of 22 and combined SAT score of 1020. Please note that this is a purely achievement-based scholarship and not tied to the students’ financial resources.
West Virginia Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship Program: This program is for academically talented high school students who wish to study in the fields of engineering, technology or sciences. Maximum of $3,000 is awarded per year depending upon qualifications and interest in the relevant field. Students must agree to work full-time in an engineering, technology or science field in West Virginia for a time equal to the period of receiving grant; otherwise the scholarship will have to be repaid with interest.
More West Virginia Scholarships
- Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program: Students wanting to pursue a career in teaching can avail of this scholarship. A maximum of $5,000 per year is awarded based upon qualifications and interest in teaching. Recipients are required to teach at a pre-school, elementary, middle or secondary school in West Virginia for a period of two years for every year of receiving scholarship. If the teaching is in, a teacher shortage area, an exceptional children’s program, in a school with below average results or in a disadvantaged location, then the student has to teach for a period equal to receiving the scholarship.
- West Virginia Health Sciences Scholarship Program: 25 scholarships are awarded to students in the state higher education system and interested in health professions. Based on a competitive application procedure and advisory committee an amount of $20,000 is awarded to medical students and $10,000 for other disciplines. Students must note that this is a service obligated scholarship and after completion of training are required to practice for two years in an under-served area within West Virginia.
- The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation Scholarship: This foundation has about 90 scholarships for helping West Virginia residents with a financial need to obtain college education. While each scholarship has specific criterion the general eligibility requires the applicant to be a full-time student (12 credit hours), have a 2.5 GPA and a minimum 20 on the ACT.
West Virginia Grants for Colleges & Universities
West Virginia Higher Education Grant: The grant is based on the financial need of the student and the maximum amount currently awarded is $2,100 per year. There are a number of requirements to receive the grant; the student being a West Virginia resident for one year preceding the application must be a high school graduate or have a GED diploma. Academic promise and enrollment as a full-time under-graduate student at a participating institution are other requisites.
More Financial Aid For College In West Virginia
Student loans are also a great way to help pay for your education if you cannot get awarded a scholarship or grant. Although the money will need to be repaid, unlike that of grants or scholarships, the money you borrow has a very low interest rate and therefore an attractive option for many students.
