West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program (HEGP)

The West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program (HEGP) is a state need-based grant, distinct from WV PROMISE, which is primarily merit-based. It supports undergraduate study and may be combined with other public or institutional aid when a remaining financial-need gap exists. For 2026–27, eligibility requires at least 12 months of West Virginia residency, U.S. citizenship, a high-school diploma or equivalent, undergraduate study without already meeting bachelor’s requirements, and full- or part-time enrollment at a participating institution.

Review does not rely on a single household-income cutoff. CFWV explains that the financial-aid office calculates need by subtracting the Student Aid Index and other aid from the cost of attendance; student loans and work-study are excluded from that calculation. For 2026–27, the page sets an SAI ceiling of 13,000 at the time awards are made. A first-time recipient must show academic promise through a high-school or college GPA of at least 2.0, depending on the student’s history; renewing recipients must meet satisfactory academic progress and annual credit requirements.

Award amounts vary with remaining need and legislative funding. For 2026–27, CFWV lists up to $3,400 per year at eligible West Virginia institutions and up to $600 at certain Pennsylvania schools. The application route is to complete FAFSA by April 15; that deadline has passed for 2026–27, and FAFSA was the program’s only application. The next step is not mailing documents to an arbitrary address: ask the college to confirm whether the file was timely, whether the campus is on the approved list, and how to update the institution in WVSAM if you transfer.

Who it serves and what it can cover: The West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program (HEGP) is a state need-based grant, distinct from WV PROMISE, which is primarily merit-based. It supports undergraduate study and may be combined with other public or institutional aid when a remaining financial-need gap exists. For 2026–27, eligibility requires at least 12 months of West Virginia residency, U.S. citizenship, a high-school diploma or equivalent, undergraduate study without already meeting bachelor’s requirements, and full- or part-time enrollment at a participating institution. Review does not rely on a single household-income cutoff. CFWV explains that the financial-aid office calculates need by subtracting the Student Aid Index and other aid from the cost of attendance; student loans and work-study are excluded from that calculation. For 2026–27, the page sets an SAI ceiling of 13,000 at the time awards are made. A first-time recipient must show academic promise through a high-school or college GPA of at least 2.0, depending on the student’s history; renewing recipients must meet satisfactory academic progress and annual credit requirements.

How to apply or get help: Award amounts vary with remaining need and legislative funding. For 2026–27, CFWV lists up to $3,400 per year at eligible West Virginia institutions and up to $600 at certain Pennsylvania schools. The application route is to complete FAFSA by April 15; that deadline has passed for 2026–27, and FAFSA was the program’s only application. The next step is not mailing documents to an arbitrary address: ask the college to confirm whether the file was timely, whether the campus is on the approved list, and how to update the institution in WVSAM if you transfer. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.

Official application and program information