Athletic Aid

Statement of Policy:

West Virginia State University offers athletic waivers by team to eligible incoming student-athlete freshmen, transfers, and current student-athletes, in full compliance with NCAA regulations governing financial assistance to student-athletes. This is a last dollar in waiver, which means it will cover up to the total cost of tuition, mandatory fees, approved academic program fees, housing and meals that are not covered by other federal, state, institutional, and outside resources. The athletic waivers will not cover the cost of textbooks, general fees (including but not limited to housing damages fees, graduation fees, Transcript fees), deferred payment plan fees, and health insurance and services fees.

General Eligibility Requirements:

  • Degree-Seeking Student
  • Enrolled full time (12+ credit hours) in WVSU courses*
  • FAFSA completed and signed with our school code (US Citizens and/or Eligible Non-Citizens)

First Time Freshman Eligibility Requirements:

  • Admissions Application
  • Final High School Transcripts with graduation date, GED or TASC
  • Immunization Records
  • Final College Transcripts (Early/Dual Enrollment)

Transfer Eligibility Requirements:

  • Admissions Application
  • Immunization Records
  • Final High School Transcripts, GED, or TASC (if earned less than 30 credit hours)
  • Final College Transcripts (Each institution previously attended)
  • Meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress

Note: Funding will not be awarded until all requirements above have been submitted/completed.

The initial athletic waiver award is based on the funding amount that is determined at the discretion of the Head Coach as outlined in the Athletic Aid Agreement. The Head Coach, the student-athlete and the Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships must sign the Athletic Aid Agreement. Renewal of the waiver is not guaranteed. Student-athletes must meet all established renewal requirements to remain eligible. The waiver does not apply to summer semesters.

Renewal Requirements:

  • Remain continuously enrolled at a full time status in WVSU*
  • Earn a minimum of 24 credit hours each academic year (fall/spring)
  • Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
  • Complete the FAFSA annually
  • Registered at a full time status in WVSU courses*

Procedures and Processing:

Athletic waivers, in addition to any other tuition specific source of funding, cannot exceed the actual cost of base tuition for any semester in which received.  If more than one tuition specific award is available to the student, the athletic waiver funds will be reduced or removed from the student-athlete’s account. 

Initial athletic waiver funds will be awarded to eligible student-athletes who submit all requirements. Renewal funds will be awarded to eligible student-athletes at the discretion of the Head Coach.

Athletic waiver funds will be added to the Financial Aid Package through our scholarship portal, Scholarship Universe, and is viewable through the student portal, MyState. In addition, an automatic email is generated and sent to the student’s campus email address.  If at any point, a change in the award amount is made, an additional automatic email will be generated and sent to the student’s campus email and is available to view immediately through MyState.

Athletic waiver funds will pay to the student’s account through regular disbursement, as long as the student has satisfied all outstanding documentation requirements, has begun attendance in all registered courses and is still meeting all scholarship specific requirements at the time of disbursement.

Removal of Athletic Waiver Funds:

Athletic waivers can be removed and/or canceled under the following circumstances, including but not limited to:

  • Enrolled in fewer than 12 undergraduate credit hours*
  • Drop below 12 credit hours during fall or spring (results in ineligibility for practice and competition).
  • Enter into a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreement and fail to fulfill the contract (Division II institutions may not provide NIL compensation).
  • Participate in fantasy leagues or gambling for profit, including charitable gambling, per NCAA rules.
  • Accept gifts or enter agreements with an agent to pursue professional status.
  • Become academically ineligible under NCAA or institutional policy.
  • Fail to appear for institutional, conference, or NCAA drug testing.
  • Fail to report adjudicated or pending Title IX, sexual misconduct, or violence matters to the WVSU Title IX Office, Head Coach, or Athletic Director as required by law and policy.
  • Violate NCAA extra benefits rules (housing, vehicles, merchandise, or fraudulent compensation, including work-study fraud).
  • Violate WVSU Board of Governors policies, Campus Life regulations, or Athletic/Team policies.
  • Commit fraud involving federal, institutional, or fundraised financial aid.
  • Fail to attend required team activities (weights, conditioning, meetings, practices, games, or outside competition).

If Athletic waiver funds are removed from a student-athlete’s account at the direction of the Head Coach, the student-athlete will receive an email notification to their campus email address. This notification will inform the student-athlete of the removal of funds and their right to appeal the decision.

Student-athletes have the right to appeal the removal of athletic waiver funds. To initiate an appeal, the student-athlete must submit a written letter to the Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships within 14 days of the date of the notification.

Upon receipt of the appeal letter, the Financial Aid Committee will review the request and determine the outcome. The student-athlete will be notified of the Committee’s decision in writing via their campus email address. The Committee’s decision is final.

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* unless approved by the Registrar and NCAA Compliance Officer

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