Statement of Policy:
Incoming freshman, transfer, and current students who meet the criteria are eligible for the Free for Eight Program. This is a last dollar in, which means it will cover up to the total cost of tuition, mandatory fees and approved academic program fees that are not covered by gift aid from other federal, state, institutional, and outside resources.
General Eligibility Requirements:
- Undergraduate, Degree-Seeking Student
- Working towards first bachelor’s degree
- West Virginia Resident
- FAFSA completed by April 15th (or WV deadline)
- Federal Pell Grant eligible and/or West Virginia aid eligible
- Enrolled full time (12+ credit hours) in WVSU courses
First Time Freshman Eligibility Requirements:
- Admissions Application
- Final High School Transcripts, GED or TASC
- High School GPA of 2.0+ or GED/TASC Equivalent
- Immunization Records
- Final College Transcripts (Early/Dual Enrollment)
Transfer Eligibility Requirements:
- Admissions Application
- Immunization Records
- Final High School Transcripts with graduation date (if earned less than 30 credit hours)
- Final College Transcripts (Each institution previously attended)
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0+ with a 67% completion ratio
Note: All requirements are due by the Semester Tuition Due Date to qualify for first awards.
Free for Eight is renewable for four consecutive years (eight semesters) for first time, first year students. Transfer students can renew for two consecutive years (four semesters). The Free for Eight Program is renewed annually and does not include Summer semesters. Student’s must meet all renewal requirements to remain eligible.
Renewal Requirements:
- Remain continuously enrolled at a full time status in WVSU courses
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0+
- Earn a minimum of 24 credit hours each academic year (fall/spring)
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Complete the FAFSA annually by April 15th
- Remain eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and/or West Virginia aid
- Registered at a full time status in WVSU courses by June 30th
Procedures and Processing:
The Free for Eight Program, 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 Free for Eight funds will be reduced or removed from the student account.
Initial Free for Eight Program funds will be awarded to eligible students who submit all requirements by the published tuition due dates. Renewal funds will be awarded to eligible students who submit all requirements by June 30th.
Free for Eight funds will be added to the Financial Aid Package 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.
Free for Eight 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.
Student’s must meet all renewal requirements to remain eligible. Semester breaks from enrollment will result in a loss of scholarship eligibility. No Appeals will be granted.