West Virginia scholarships and grants
Every program the state of West Virginia runs for students, checked against its official page. For a list matched to you, answer a few questions.
Show service scholarships (4) These pay for school in exchange for working in a job or place afterward.
Open to most students
West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship
Up to $5,500 per year (or tuition and mandatory fees, whichever is less)West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC), Division of Financial Aid
Open now · due March 1, 2027Merit scholarship for West Virginia high school graduates: up to $5,500 a year (or tuition and mandatory fees, whichever is less) at an eligible West Virginia college.
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application + transcript + test scores
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Needs a 3+ GPA
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
West Virginia Higher Education Grant
Up to $3,400 per year at eligible West Virginia schools; up to $600 per year at eligible Pennsylvania schools (2026-27)West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC), Division of Financial Aid
Open now · due April 15, 2027Need-based state grant of up to $3,400 a year at West Virginia colleges (up to $600 at eligible Pennsylvania schools); filing the FAFSA by April 15 is the application.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
West Virginia Invests Grant
Tuition, mandatory fees and approved academic program fees not covered by other grants or waivers (last-dollar)West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education (administered with WVHEPC)
Open now · due April 15, 2027Last-dollar grant covering tuition, mandatory fees and approved program fees for certificate and associate programs in high-demand fields at West Virginia public colleges.
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school, trade school students
- For approved high-demand certificate/associate programs students
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Future Workforce Grant (formerly HEAPS Workforce)
Up to $2,000 per academic yearWest Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC), Division of Financial Aid
Apply any timeNeed-based grant of up to $2,000 for short-term certificate, industry credential and skill programs in West Virginia demand occupations.
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For adults going back to school, trade school students, undergrads
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Reduced Tuition for Senior Citizens (60 and older)
Non-credit: up to $50 per course; for credit: no more than 50% of normal resident tuition and feesWest Virginia state institutions of higher education (W. Va. Code 18B-10-7a)
Apply any timeWest Virginia residents 60 and older can take public college courses at reduced cost: no more than $50 per course without credit, or no more than half the resident rate for credit, space permitting.
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For adults going back to school, undergrads, grad students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
For specific students
Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.
West Virginia National Guard Educational Encouragement Program (WVEEP State Tuition Assistance)
Up to 100% of tuition and allowable fees; current cap up to $10,000 per yearWest Virginia National Guard, Education Services Office (Adjutant General)
Open now · due November 1, 2026Pays up to 100% of tuition and allowable fees (current cap $10,000 a year) at accredited West Virginia schools for members of the West Virginia National Guard.
- Who it's for: Member of the West Virginia Army or Air National Guard who has completed basic training
- What it takes: state application + membership
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, trade school students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
West Virginia War Orphan Education Program
Tuition and fees waived at WV public institutions, plus up to $1,000 per semester (max $2,000 per year) for living expensesWest Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance (WVDVA)
Open now · due January 31, 2027Free tuition and fees at West Virginia public colleges plus up to $1,000 a semester ($2,000 a year) for living costs for children (16-25) and spouses of WV veterans killed in action or who died from war service.
- Who it's for: Child (age 16-25) or surviving spouse of a veteran with WV as state of record who was killed in action or died of war service
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Medal of Honor and Andrew J. Trail Purple Heart Recipient Tuition Waiver
Undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees not covered by other benefits, up to 8 semestersWest Virginia state institutions of higher education (W. Va. Code 18B-10-10)
Apply any timeUndergraduate tuition and mandatory fees waived at West Virginia public colleges for honorably discharged WV-resident veterans awarded the Medal of Honor or Purple Heart.
- Who it's for: Honorably discharged veteran awarded the Medal of Honor or Purple Heart
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
STAND Program (Skilled Trades Associate Degree)
Tuition and approved fees for up to 21 general education creditsWest Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC), Division of Financial Aid
Apply any timeCovers tuition and approved fees for up to 21 general-education credits so registered apprentices and journey workers can finish an Associate of Applied Science in skilled trades.
- Who it's for: Registered apprentice (U.S. DOL) or journey worker with a DOL Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship
- What it takes: state application + membership
- For adults going back to school, trade school students
- For AAS in Skilled Trades / Occupational Development students
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tuition Waiver for High School Graduates in Foster Care
Undergraduate tuition and fees not covered by other tuition-dedicated aid, up to four yearsWest Virginia state institutions of higher education (W. Va. Code 18B-10-7b)
Apply any timeUndergraduate tuition and fee waiver at West Virginia public colleges for students who finished high school or a GED while in West Virginia state custody in foster or residential care.
- Who it's for: Foster youth: in WV Department of Human Services custody and foster/residential care for at least one year when finishing high school or the GED
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tuition Waiver for National Service (AmeriCorps) Volunteers Serving in West Virginia
Remaining tuition and fees for one semester per 600 service hours or two semesters per 1,200 hours (max 8 semesters)West Virginia state institutions of higher education (W. Va. Code 18B-10-7d)
Apply any timeOne or two semesters of tuition and fee waivers at West Virginia public colleges for people who completed AmeriCorps service in West Virginia (600 hours = one semester, 1,200 hours = two).
- Who it's for: Completed AmeriCorps State/National, VISTA or Senior Corps service in West Virginia
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tuition and Fee Waiver for Children and Spouses of Officers, Firefighters and Military Killed in the Line of Duty
Full tuition and fees (after other tuition-dedicated grant aid)West Virginia state institutions of higher education (W. Va. Code 18B-10-7)
Apply any timeFree tuition and fees at West Virginia public colleges for children and spouses of WV law-enforcement, corrections, parole/probation, natural resources police officers, firefighters, and WV National Guard/reserve/active-duty members killed in the line of duty.
- Who it's for: Child or spouse of a WV law-enforcement/corrections/parole/probation/natural resources police officer or firefighter, or WV-resident National Guard/reserve/active-duty member, killed in the line of duty
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Veterans Re-Education Assistance
Up to $500 per semesterWest Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance (WVDVA)
Apply any timeUp to $500 a semester for West Virginia veterans who have used up their GI Bill, toward tuition, licensing/certification tests or training materials.
- Who it's for: Honorably discharged U.S. Armed Forces veteran who has exhausted GI Bill benefits
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school, trade school students, grad students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.