Financial Aid Resources available to help pay for college include:

• Scholarships
• Grants
• Loans
• Work-study
• International Fellowships

Scholarships

Scholarships are gifts of money to pay educational expenses. These awards do not have to be repaid. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit, financial need, or both. Most scholarships have specific criteria that must be met regarding program of study, residence, community service, high school attended, or grade point average, among others.

New students who wish to be considered for a scholarship award must submit an application for admission, together with an official transcript from a regionally accredited high school, by March 1. Several Mountain State University scholarships are available. In addition, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application prior to March 1.

Additional scholarship information

Grants

Grants are considered gift aid, or aid that does not have to be repaid. To qualify for grant programs you must show significant financial need and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Mountain State University participates in the following grant programs.

Federal Pell Grant
A federally funded grant available to eligible undergraduate students with financial need. The amount is determined on the basis of your expected family contribution, the number of credit hours for which you are enrolled, and the University's cost of attendance; and is dependent on Congressional funding levels. Federal regulations require that a student be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours to be eligible for a Pell grant.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
A federally funded grant available to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. The dollar amount is based upon funds available from the federal government and student need. Any applicant for the Federal Pell Grant will be automatically considered for the FSEOG.

West Virginia Higher Education Grant (WVHEG)
A grant funded and administered by the West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program for eligible West Virginia residents. Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with the Central Processor no later than March 1, preceding the academic year, to be considered for the WVHEG. Students will receive notice of WVHEG awards from the West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program. You must be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours per semester and maintain a GPA of 2.0.

Higher Education Award for Part-Time Students (HEAPS)
A West Virginia state funded grant program to encourage and enable West Virginia residents who desire to continue their education on a part-time basis. Contact the Financial Aid Office for detailed information and an application.

Pennsylvania State Grant Program
A Pennsylvania state funded grant for undergraduate students. Requires the completion of the FAFSA by May 1 preceding the academic year. Contact the Pennsylvania State Grant Program for eligibility requirements.

Work Investment Act (WIA) Grant
Awarded on a yearly basis to assist full-time, associate degree-seeking students who have been determined to be eligible by the West Virginia Department of Employment Security. Grants may pay for required textbooks and fees, program and employment counseling, and other personal services.

Loans

Mountain State University participates in two federal loan programs: the Federal Stafford Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized) and the Federal PLUS Loan, for parents of dependent students.

Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans
Available to students who demonstrate financial need; provided by lending institutions with the interest paid by the federal government until you begin repayment. Repayment begins six months after you leave school or when you drop below half-time enrollment. Under certain circumstances, the lender may defer repayment.

First-time borrowers must complete loan counseling prior to receiving their loan proceeds. Under federal default management regulations, release of the first disbursement check to first-time borrowers may not occur until after the thirtieth day of enrollment in the loan period. All borrowers must also complete exit loan counseling at the time of graduation or leaving college. Failure to attend exit loan counseling will affect the release of student records and diplomas. Stafford Loan funds are provided through at least two disbursements, and you must reapply for each loan period.

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
Provided by lending institutions: available to students regardless of expected family contribution or need. The loan amount cannot exceed the maximum amount allowed by the Department of Education or the cost of attendance.

The federal government does not make interest payments on an unsubsidized Stafford Loan. The interest may be added to the loan principal or paid according to the lender's payment schedule.

Unsubsidized Stafford Loans require exit counseling. Repayment begins six months after you leave school or when you drop below half-time enrollment. Some students may be eligible for deferment of the principal payment while they are in college.

Federal PLUS Loan
Provided by lending institutions to parents of dependent students. Lenders require a credit check for prospective PLUS borrowers. Repayment begins 60 days after disbursement with no grace period. The lender can supply information on deferments. PLUS loan applications are available in the Office of Financial Aid.

Alternative Loans
Alternative loans are available for students who may need to borrow funds in excess of the Federal Stafford Loan limits. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for details.

Work-study/Fellowships

Federal Work-study
Work-study provides part-time employment to qualifying students enrolled for at least 6 hours of credit. Eligibility is based on University employment needs and the student's demonstrated financial need after all other financial aid is calculated.

The maximum number of hours is determined by the Office of Financial Aid. To apply for federal work-study, you must complete the FAFSA and a work-study application in the Office of Financial Aid. If you are hired for a work-study position, the hiring department will contact you.

International Fellowships

International Fellowship positions provide part-time employment on campus to qualifying international students who are enrolled for at least 12 hours of credit. Eligibility is based on University employment needs and a cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 or better.

Participating international students are paid the established hourly minimum wage. The number of hours is determined by the Office of Student Affairs and Campus Life.

For an application and additional information, please contact the Office of Student Affairs and Campus Life.