Q: Does the Office of Student Financial Assistance process financial aid for both West Virginia State University and Kanawha Valley Community and Technical College?
A: Yes. Legislation passed by the West Virginia Legislature created two institutions out of West Virginia State.
Q: Will I need transient approval and a consortium agreement to take classes at WVSU and KVCTC?
A: No.
Q: What is the difference between a grant, a scholarship and a loan?
A: A grant is a gift. It does not have to be repaid, and it is based on the student's financial need. A scholarship is an achievement award which is usually based on academic grades, abilities, skills, test scores, class rank, etc. Loans are funds borrowed by the student and/or parent. In most cases, loans must be repaid with an interest charge, and there is a specified repayment period.
Q: I can't access "MyState. What should I do?
A: Contact the Computer Services Help Desk
Q: I don't see anything missing on my financial aid requirements. What should I do?
A: Please re-read the information on the site. You may only need to open your Electronic Award on MyState and accept or decline the funds. Electronic awards should be available after April 15, each year.
Q: Is there a maximum income level that will make me ineligible for financial aid?
A: No. Income level does not automatically disqualify you for financial aid. Other variables, such as the number in the family and the number attending college, are taken into consideration.
Q: What are the factors that determine need?
A: Most people have the misconception that income is the only factor in determining need. Other variables are considered such as: family size, number of family members in college, age of older parent, savings, investments, and various allowances to income and assets.
Q: What are my chances of receiving financial aid?
A: The only way to determine your eligibility for financial aid is to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some form of financial assistance will be offered at the school you choose. The assistance may include student or parent loans.
Q: In order to receive financial aid do I have to apply every year?
A: Yes. In order to receive consideration for all programs you must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. File the FAFSA in the month of January but, no later than March 1.
Q: What happens if I fail to submit my electronic award?
A: All students must submit the Electronic Award within 21 days of issue by viewing the award and accepting or declining offered aid. Failure to submit will result in cancellation of your award. You will need to contact The Office of Student Financial Assistance if you want to have your award re-instated. SEOG, Federal Work Study and Perkins loans cannot be re-instated. Awards will be re-instated immediately but, funds may not be available until all required documentation has been received and reviewed.
Q: What is the deadline to apply for financial aid?
A: All paperwork should be submitted to the WVSU/KVCTC Office of Student Financial Assistance by June 30 for fall, by November 30 for spring and by April 15 for summer.
Q: I missed the deadline, can I still apply for financial aid?
A: Yes, you must be enrolled at the time funds are disbursed and you must be making academic progress. You must be prepared to cover your expenses from your own resources if you apply late. Fall Paperwork turned in July: Expect disbursement delay until mid to late September. Fall Paperwork turned in August: Expect disbursement delay until mid to late October. Fall Paperwork turned in September: Expect disbursement delay until mid to late November. Spring paperwork turned in December/January: Expect disbursement mid to late February & mid to late March respectively. Summer paperwork turned in after April 15: Summer aid is generally limited to remaining loan eligibility for the aid year. If you miss the April 15, deadline, we will not offer summer aid. You must prepare to cover summer expenses from your own resources.
Q: Why didn't I receive an Award ?
A: If you do not receive an electronic award , you should contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance. We may not have received an electronic copy of your SAR or there may be problems with your SAR. You may contact us at: (304)-766-3131 or Ask a Counselor . We are located in Ferrell Hall, Room 324.
Q: What is WVSU’s Title IV code?
A: 003826
Q. What is KVCTC's Title IV code?
A: 040386
Q: Will I be required to submit additional forms to WVSU/KVCTC other than the FAFSA?
A: Possibly, if you are selected for review in a process called verification we will contact you via email about additional paperwork requirements.
Q: What does it cost to attend WVSU/KVCTC?
A: Please see our WVSU Cost of Attendance page or KVCTC Cost of Attendance page.
Q: Can part-time students receive financial aid?
A: Yes. Generally, a student must be enrolled a minimum of 6 semester hours to receive federal financial aid.
Q: Will it affect my federal financial aid if I drop a class during the semester?
A: If your federal aid has paid to your account, your award will not be reduced. However, you may violate satisfactory academic progress (WVSU SAP) or (KVCTC SAP) rules if you continually register and drop classes. If your aid has not paid to your account, your Pell grant will be reduced.
Q: Will it affect my WV Higher Ed Grant or Promise Scholarship if I drop a class during the semester?
A: Yes. Students receiving WV Higher Ed Grants must complete 24 semester hours each fall and spring. Dropping a class may affect your eligibility for the next aid year. Students receiving Promise Scholarships must complete 30 semester hours each fall, spring and summer. Dropping a class may affect your eligibility for the next aid year.
Q: Will my aid change if I move off campus?
A: No.
Q: Will my aid change if I change enrollment?
A: Possibly. If you change enrollment prior to your aid payment, please contact our office to determine how your aid may be affected if you drop below full time status (less then 12 hours) or below half time status (less than 6 hours): (304)766-3131 or Ask a Counselor. We are located in Ferrell Hall, Room 324.
Q: Do I need a separate form to apply for a Student Loan?
A: You need only file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . All new students must do loan entrance counseling. You will be notified if you need to complete a loan promissory note.
Q: Do I need a separate form to apply for a Parent Loan?
A: Yes. Parent Loans are credit worthy loans. All parents who accept a parent loan (PLUS) should complete a credit check as soon as possible.
Q: How long after I complete my Stafford Loan promissory note before I can receive the money?
A: If all necessary paperwork is complete, a check for any refund due will be mailed to the student's local address in approximately 7-10 working days.
Q: How can I apply for work study?
A: Complete the Federal Work Study Application, available in the Office of Student Financial Assistance. If you demonstrate financial need, you may qualify.
Q: Do I need to submit tax returns to the Financial Aid Office?
A: Only if our office sends an e-mail requesting that the forms be submitted as part of the verification process.
Q: What does it take to be considered an independent student?
A: See our "Special Situations" page:
Any one of the following will result in a student being considered independent for federal student aid programs:
Students who do not meet the criteria of an Independent Student may ask for a dependency override. The US Dept of Education feels that students under 24 years of age should be assisted by their parents in educational expenses. You cannot live with your parents and request a dependency override. A Financial Aid Committee will review your documents and notify you by letter of the decision. You will be asked to provide the following:
Q: If my parents are separated or divorced, whose income is reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
A: The parent you live with should complete the FAFSA. If the parent you live with has remarried, the income of that parent and their new spouse (step-parent) must be used.
Q: What is the interest rate on my student loans?
A: Borrowers with loans made prior to July 1, 2006 will have a variable rate adjusted annually (July 1). The interest rate will not exceed 8.25%. Borrowers with loans guaranteed after July 1, 2006 will have a fixed rate interest , please see the chart for interest information on the "Loan Info Page". Subsidized loans are need-based aid and interest does not accrue while you are in school. Unsubsidized loans are not need-based and the interest will accrue on a quarterly basis. You will receive a quarterly interest statement from the Loan Servicing Center. You may pay the interest if you choose but, you are not required to do so.
Q: What is the interest rate on my parent loans?
A: Borrowers with loans made prior to July 1, 2006 will have a variable rate adjusted annually (July 1). The interest rate will not exceed 9%. Borrowers with loans guaranteed after July 1, 2006 will have a fixed rate interest of 8.5%. Parent loans are repayable 60 days after the loan has been fully disbursed.
Q: Is the money I receive from financial assistance programs taxable?
A: Any scholarships, benefits, fellowships, or grants (gift aid) received from WVSU/KVCTC or any other source that, when combined exceed the cost of tuition, fees, books, and required equipment and supplies, are considered taxable income. Loans are not included. Since you are required to report taxable awards to the I.R.S. as income, you should keep a detailed record of all expenditures for tuition, fees, books, and required equipment and supplies. Housing and food are considered non-exempt, so money spent on these items is subject to income tax. For more detailed information, consult a personal tax advisor. Federal Work Study earnings are taxable and must be reported on tax returns.
Q: What should I do if my family's financial circumstances change after I apply for financial aid?
A: See our "Special Situations" page:
If a family's financial circumstances have changed due to death of a parent, divorce, separation, or loss of employment; they should contact the Financial Aid Office. Special Circumstances may include:
You may be asked to provide:
Q: Will the financial aid offered at one school transfer to another school?
A: No. Financial aid does not transfer from school to school. Students planning to transfer to another school should contact the Financial Aid Office at both schools to find out what is required.
Q: Is there any aid available if I decide to attend summer school and how do I apply?
A: If you plan to attend the summer sessions, you must notify our office . Summer financial aid is generally limited to the remaining loan eligibility for the current year. There are no Consortium Agreements and no appeals for summer sessions.
Q: What do I need to do if I need to take a class at another school while attending WVSU/KVCTC?
A: WV State ( the home school) students may choose to take classes at another institution ( the host school). You must request approval to take credit as a transient student from the Office of Registration and Records at WVSU/KVCTC. If your request is approved, you will receive a letter of approval to earn credits as a transient student. The Financial Aid Office at WVSU/KVCTC (the home school) must have a copy of the transient approval letter in order to request a consortium agreement from the host school ( the institution from which you will take classes). The host school must confirm your enrollment before you can receive your financial aid from WVSU/KVCTC. See our "Special Situations" page.
Q: What happens to my financial aid if my admission status is pending due to missing information?
A: You must be fully admitted (provisional admission is not acceptable) as a degree-seeking student in order to qualify for federal aid. Contact the Admissions Office at (304)-766-3221.
Q: What happens if I list no income on the FAFSA application?
A: If you listed zero income on your FAFSA application, you may be selected for Verification.