WV Invests Grant

wEST VIRGINIA INVESTS GRANT

This was created by the WV Legislature in 2019 to help  West Virginians pay for college. 

The program is managed by 

the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education (WVCCTCE).

West Virginia Invests covers the cost of basic tuition and fees for 

certificate or associate degree programs in specific high-demand fields, 

as determined by the West Virginia Department of Commerce, 

at participating West Virginia public two- or four-year institutions.  

Pierpont is a participating institution.

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As of June 2020, all of Pierpont's programs are eligible for the 

WV Invests Grant except:

> Liberal Studies

> Board of Governors

> All Skill Sets (ex., phlebotomy)* 

*If a student is taking a Skill Set AND is in a degree program in addition to the Skill Set (ex., Respiratory Therapy), s/he can still be eligible for the Grant if all other requirements of the Grant are met. 

You may qualify for the West Virginia Invests Grant if you:

• Were a legal resident of West Virginia for at least 1 year immediately before applying;

• Are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen for federal financial aid;

• Are a graduate of a public, private, or homeschool program, or have successfully passed a high school equivalency test (in WV a GED or TASC);

• Have not already earned a college degree (associate level or higher) or have attempted 90 or more college credit hours;

• Are in compliance with the college’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy (for renewal you must also have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average);

• Have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);

• Are not in default on a federal student loan;

• Are willing to make a commitment to improving the state by living in West Virginia for at least two years after graduation or dropping below part-time enrollment and completing at least 2 hours of unpaid community service each academic term;

• Meet the minimum admissions requirements at an eligible institution and register for at least 6 credit hours (part-time); and

• Pay for and pass a drug screening before the start of each academic term you are receiving an award. (You have a 60-day window prior to the start of each term to pass the drug screen).

When you receive a West Virginia Invests grant, you'll have to meet a few requirements to remain eligible for future awards. 

These requirements include:

• Completing an annual Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the West Virginia Invests Grant application each year.

• Maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 (a 'C' average) on all coursework and be in compliance with your college’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

• Maintaining continuous enrollment for at least 6 credit hours each semester until you earn your certificate or degree.

• Passing a drug screen prior to the beginning of each term in which grant funding is received.

• Complete two hours of community service each term in which funds are received and verify your hours with your institution (Pierpont's Financial Aid Office).

Once you meet the requirements for an associate’s degree OR reach 90 attempted college credit hours, you will no longer be eligible.

You will not be required to repay the money you received through WV Invests Grant as long as:

•  you live in West Virginia for at least two years after you are no longer enrolled in the college/university program at least part-time for grant funding; and

•  complete the necessary steps to verify this once you are no longer enrolled. 

-IMPORTANT-

If you do not complete the two-year residency requirement, 

the grant will be converted into a student loan that you will be required to pay back.