Scholarship details
The WV Promise Scholarship represents a merit-based financial aid program generously offered by the West Virginia University Foundation to support residents of West Virginia in their pursuit of higher education. To be eligible for this scholarship, students must meet specific academic criteria.
The scholarship is divided into two parts: the early and summer promises. One should refer to the provided post for a comprehensive understanding of what each part entails.
Image Source: Promise Summer Scholarship
This scholarship provides an award of $4,750, covering tuition and mandatory fees at public or private educational institutions within West Virginia. However, it’s important to note that the availability of awards is subject to the annual funding provided by the West Virginia Star Legislature.
To ensure that the WV Promise Scholarship is optimally utilized, the total amount of this scholarship, combined with other financial assistance, should not exceed the total cost of attendance at the recipient’s chosen institution. Federal grant assistance, such as federal Pell Grants, should be considered the primary funding source to the extent permitted by federal law, particularly for students eligible for such aid.
For students who have received need-based grants and a Scholarship Pledge through the West Virginia Higher Education Scholarship Program, the Promise Scholarship Award is given priority as the first source of financial support.
In situations where the total amount of the Promise Scholarship and other financial aid surpasses the cost of attendance, the institution’s financial aid administrator will collaborate with the recipient to decide on the appropriate reduction of aid. Rest assured; this adjustment will always be made in the best interest of the scholarship recipient.
Level / Field of Study
The Scholarship Promise sets forth specific academic requirements that applicants must meet to be eligible for consideration:
1. Completion of High School Graduation Requirement: The applicant must successfully fulfill the high school graduation requirements at a West Virginia public or private high school.
2. At least Half Credit Completion: The applicant must have completed at least half the credits required for high school graduation.
3. Limited Exceptions for Military Dependents: West Virginia students who commute to an out-of-state public or private high school and qualify as military dependents under Section 6 of the Scholarship Program Promise may be granted exceptions.
4. Cumulative Grade Point Average: Applicants are required to achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or an equivalent of a “B average” based on county board grading policies for both general courses and core courses mandated by the West Virginia Department of Education for graduation.
5. Private High School Report Card Submission: Students attending private high schools must submit a report card form to establish their eligibility. Officials at private high schools will verify that grades are maintained during the last semester. In contrast, students at public high schools typically do not submit report cards unless requested otherwise.
6. Maintenance of GPA Requirement: While applicants may qualify with sixth or seventh-semester grades, they must endeavor to maintain the GPA requirement throughout the eighth semester; otherwise, the scholarship may be revoked.
7. GPA Calculation: The GPA is calculated based on grades in all core courses the student completes, not just those required for graduation. School officials or high school counselors are responsible for making these GPA calculations.
8. Transcript Submission: Students relying on final grades for their eligibility must ensure that their school submits their score reports and official transcripts to the West Virginia Higher Education Grants office for consideration.
9. FAFSA Submission: If a student does not have a qualifying GPA in the sixth or seventh semester, they must apply and submit a completed FAFSA by the March 1 deadline to be considered.
10. Weighted Grades Consideration: Weighted grades may be factored into the GPA calculation depending on the county board’s grading policy.
Prospective applicants should carefully review and fulfill these academic requirements to increase their chances of qualifying for the Scholarship Promise.
Dual Credit and Other College Courses
Students have the opportunity to take an unlimited number of dual credit courses before commencing their college enrollment while maintaining eligibility for the award.
It is essential to note that credit hours earned before the first fall semester of enrollment will not be included in the credit hour requirement, particularly when assessing eligibility for award renewal.
For home school applicants, it is necessary to provide documentation of their home school status at the county school board office. The documentation from Webpagepdf.com should demonstrate that the applicant was homeschooled during the 11th and 12th grades.
Host Nationality
The Scholarship Promise is an esteemed merit-based financial aid program granted by the West Virginia University Foundation exclusively for residents of West Virginia.
Eligible Nationalities
To be eligible for the Promise Scholarship, the student must have lived in West Virginia continuously for twelve months before the scholarship’s deadline date. However, this residency requirement does not apply if the student is an armed forces member or a military dependent under Section 6 of the PROMISE Scholarship Program Rule.
The Scholarship Worth of the WV Promise Scholarship
The Scholarship Promise provides an annual payment of $4,650, covering either the cost of mandatory fees and tuition or the lesser of the two at any eligible institution. The scholarship amount is directly disbursed to the chosen institution, either West Virginia University or the student’s preferred funding option.
Funds from the Scholarship Promise can be utilized at eligible four-year and two-year institutions in West Virginia. However, the institution’s funds can only be used for undergraduate courses aligned with the student’s academic program.
For students pursuing a bachelor’s degree, the Scholarship Promise can be availed for a maximum of 8 semesters during their four-year degree program.
Similarly, for students aiming for an associate’s degree, the scholarship can be received for up to 4 semesters during their two-year degree program.
Students who intend to transition from a two-year to a four-year program must meet renewal requirements after their sophomore year to maintain their scholarship eligibility.
Eligibility for the WV Promise Scholarship
The applicant must meet the following requirement to be eligible for the Promise Award:
Minimum exam score requirements
To be eligible for the scholarship, you must achieve specific national ACT or SAT test scores by certain dates. For the ACT, you need a composite score of 22, with a minimum of 20 in each of the English, math, science, and reading sections. As for the SAT, you need a total score of 1100, with a math score of 520 and an Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 530. The writing portion of the SAT is not considered in the composite score calculation.
It’s important to note that scores must come from a single test date and cannot be combined from multiple test administrations. To meet the requirements, your ACT scores must be achieved by the July test date, and your SAT scores must be obtained by the June test date of the application year.
Furthermore, you must submit your application and FAFSA by the deadline, even if you have not yet met the required test scores by the March 1 deadline.
Homeschool Applicants
With respect to the Class of 2023, home-schooled applicants must achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or what is considered a “B” average in core courses AND general coursework required for graduation.
- To qualify, homeschool applicants must submit a homeschool score report form and transcript. Click here to find the Home Schooled Grade Report Form.
- The GPA is determined based on grades in all core courses a student completes on the core class roster, not just those required for graduation.
- Applicants who missed the deadline may be eligible for a late award to begin the following spring term of the application year, depending on the availability of funds.
- A student can only apply for the scholarship within two years if they graduate from high school. However, a student who joined the United States armed forces is withdrawn from this term under Section 5 of the Pledge of the scholarship program.
- Only full-time freshmen can receive the initial award.
The student must complete the minimum basic class requirement. Click here for a complete list of high school core course requirements.
Basic course requirements include the following:
- English- 4 credits
- Mathematics- 4 credits
- Social Sciences- Credits 4.
- Natural sciences- Credits 3.
Homeschool applicants must provide documentation of homeschool status at their county school board office. Documentation must show that you were home-schooled in grades 11 and 12.
Eligible traveler applicants only
Eligible commute applicants must submit their Transcript and Transcript Report Form to qualify. A high school counselor or official must submit score report forms which can be found on the forms.
Eligible commuters must also provide documentation from a high school counselor or counselor indicating they commuted to an out-of-state high school.
If you take the ACT/SAT in a state other than West Virginia, you must submit an official score to our office.
- ACT code: 4539
- SAT code: 3456
Military Dependents / Members of the Armed Services only
Provide documentation of military status.
Military-dependent applicants must submit a score report form and an official transcript to qualify. Score report forms can be found at https://secure.cfwv.com/Financial_Aid_Planning/Scholarships/Promise/Forms.aspx and must be submitted by a high school counselor or school official.
Applicants for members of the Military Services/military dependents must submit verification of maintaining legal residence in West Virginia while serving in the United States military while the student attended high school.
If you take the ACT/SAT in a state other than West Virginia, you must submit an official score to our office.
- ACT code: 4539
- SAT code: 3456
The West Virginia Promise Scholarship Renewal Requirements and Procedures:
You must understand the renewal requirement because once the scholarship is lost, it cannot be recovered later.
In order for a student to renew or retain the WV Promise Scholarship each year, the student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale the first year and then a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in subsequent years.
A student who received an award for two semesters in one academic year must complete and earn at least 30 credit hours every 12 months.
But if a student receives a single semester award, the student may only complete and earn a minimum of 15 credit hours in the academic year. Scholars are not required to be full-time or complete renewal during the last two semesters of scholarship eligibility.
However, Scholars may use subsequent summer sessions to meet renewal requirements, but at their own expense.
The student’s institution also determines eligibility for renewal in accordance with the institutional grading policy at the end of an academic calendar. It usually takes a 12-month period to start calculating the renewal.
The 12-month term begins with the fall semester and ends with the summer semester.
How to Apply for the WV Promise Scholarship
To apply for the West Virginia Scholarship, you must first create a West Virginia Student Aid Administration (WVSAM) Account online to submit your application.
Applicants must submit a completed application by March 1 to be eligible for the 2024 awards.
An applicant’s FASFA must meet the required conditions for processing by the March 1 deadline.
Students have only 6 years from the date awarded to use the Promise Award unless they are enrolled in the military, and then the time is extended.
Applicants for the West Virginia Promise Scholarship Awards are strongly encouraged to perform at least 20 hours of unpaid community service in high school and college. Community service may include but is not limited to, participation in nonprofit, governmental, institutional, or community-based organizations designed to improve the quality of life for community residents, meet the needs of community residents, or foster civic responsibility. Community Service Contact List
is extended
March 1.
The 2024 FAFSA is now available at www.fafsa.ed.gov
WV Promise Scholarship Application and FAFSA Submission Deadline
Students must complete the WV Promise Scholarship application by June 15.
To be considered for the PROMISE Scholarship, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be received by the Federal Student Aid Processing Center on or before March 1 and meet the conditions for processing.
Students who have not met GPA and test score requirements may qualify after March 15, but must submit the application and FAFSA by the March 15 deadline.
For the summer promise program. The application opens on March 15. The scholarship is available.
- May 15 – Summer PROMISE Application Priority Deadline
- June
- Eligibility was determined for those students who met the May 15 priority deadline.
- Student award notifications are sent via email.
- Payments are sent to institutions for eligible applicants who meet the May 15 priority deadline.
- June 15- Final Summer PROMISE Application Deadline No applications will be accepted after June 15.
- July
- Eligibility is determined for those students who applied after the priority deadline date.
- Payments were sent to institutions for eligible applicants who missed the priority deadline.
application link
You can click on the PROMISE Scholarship website at cfwv.com for an in-depth review of this great opportunity and current scholarship criteria.
PROMESA Scholarship Renewal Requirements
PROMISE Summer Scholarship Awards
PROMISE Scholarship Program Contact Information
West Virginia Commission on Higher Education Policy
Division of Financial Aid
1018 Kanawha Blvd. East, Suite 700
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 558-4618 or 1 (877) 987-7664
Email: [email protected]
Fax: (855) 292-1415
