West Virginia college grants and scholarships are led by two state programs from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC): the PROMISE Scholarship, a merit award paying up to $5,500 a year, and the West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program (HEGP), a need-based grant paying up to $3,400 a year, for which the FAFSA is the only application. In the 2026 cycle, the PROMISE application and FAFSA were due March 1 and the HEGP deadline was April 15.
Those figures come from WVHEPC’s 2026 announcement for students applying for the 2026-27 year (WVHEPC, Deadlines approaching for Promise Scholarship, West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program). WVHEPC described them as what “current awardees are receiving,” so confirm the 2027-28 amounts and dates on College Foundation of West Virginia (cfwv.com) before you rely on them.
West Virginia programs at a glance
| PROMISE Scholarship | Higher Education Grant (HEGP) | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Merit | Need-based |
| Amount (current awardees, per WVHEPC) | Up to $5,500 | Up to $3,400 |
| Application | PROMISE application at cfwv.com/promise plus the FAFSA | FAFSA only |
| 2026 cycle deadline | March 1 (application and FAFSA) | April 15 |
| Test scores | Required (see below) | Not required |
West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship
PROMISE rewards strong high school academics. WVHEPC listed these test requirements for the class of 2026, “including but not limited to”:
- ACT: 21 composite, with at least 19 in English, math, science and reading.
- SAT: 1080 total, with at least 510 in math and in evidence-based reading and writing.
WVHEPC also said class of 2026 students had until the June 2026 SAT and July 2026 ACT to reach a qualifying score, and that students “should apply now even if they don’t currently meet the eligibility requirements.” There are further requirements, such as grades and coursework, listed in full at cfwv.com/promise. The class of 2027 rules may differ; check that page.
How to apply for PROMISE
- Create or log into your account on College Foundation of West Virginia (cfwv.com).
- Submit the PROMISE application by the deadline (March 1 in the 2026 cycle).
- Complete the FAFSA by the same date. For students starting in fall 2027, that is the 2027-28 FAFSA, which is open now.
- Send ACT or SAT scores, and retest if you are close to the cutoffs.
West Virginia Higher Education Grant (HEGP)
HEGP is the state’s need-based grant. WVHEPC says the FAFSA “is required to access state and federal financial aid and serves as the application for the HEGP.” There is no separate form. More details, including participating schools, are at cfwv.com/wvgrant.
HEGP had a later deadline than PROMISE in the 2026 cycle, April 15, but do not wait. File the FAFSA as early as you can and correct any errors quickly, so your record is complete before the state’s date and before your college’s priority date.
Other West Virginia state aid
College Foundation of West Virginia’s financial aid menu also lists the WV Invests Grant, Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars, WV STEM Scholarship, Future Workforce Grant and several health-profession loan repayment programs (College Foundation of West Virginia). Each has its own rules; read the program page before you apply. If you are an adult learner going back to school, ask about these alongside HEGP, which does not require recent high school graduation.
Your West Virginia timeline
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Fall of senior year | File the 2027-28 FAFSA; start the PROMISE application on cfwv.com |
| Winter | Take or retake the ACT or SAT if you need a qualifying score |
| By the PROMISE deadline (March 1 in 2026) | Submit the PROMISE application and FAFSA |
| By the HEGP deadline (April 15 in 2026) | Make sure your FAFSA is complete and error-free |
| Spring and summer | Answer verification requests; compare college offers |
Our guide on how to fill out the FAFSA walks through every section, and our FAFSA deadlines guide explains how state and college dates interact.
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How state aid fits with Pell
HEGP and the Federal Pell Grant both rely on your FAFSA, and many students receive both. A federal rule to know: for award years beginning on or after July 1, 2026, a student whose non-federal aid equals or exceeds the cost of attendance is not eligible for Pell, according to a June 4, 2026 Federal Student Aid electronic announcement. A student with PROMISE, HEGP and college scholarships at a lower-cost school should ask the aid office how the awards stack.
West Virginia checklist
- File the 2027-28 FAFSA early.
- Start the PROMISE application at cfwv.com/promise, even if your test scores are not there yet.
- Plan test dates that leave time for a retake.
- Confirm the 2027 PROMISE and HEGP deadlines on cfwv.com.
- Sign up for WVHEPC’s “Txt 4 Success” college counseling texts if you want reminders.
Questions West Virginia families ask
Should I apply for PROMISE if my test score is not high enough yet?
Yes. WVHEPC told the class of 2026 to “apply now even if they don’t currently meet the eligibility requirements,” because qualifying scores could still be earned on later test dates.
Do I need a separate application for the Higher Education Grant?
No. WVHEPC says the FAFSA is the only application for HEGP. Filing early, and fixing any FAFSA errors, is the whole application process.
Can I get both PROMISE and HEGP?
They are separate programs with separate tests: PROMISE is merit-based and HEGP is need-based. A student who meets both sets of rules can be considered for both, and the college’s aid office packages them together.
Where can I get free help with the applications?
WVHEPC encourages students and families to call the state’s financial aid hotline at 877-987-7664 for help filing the FAFSA or the PROMISE application, and says school staff and WVHEPC staff are ready to support students through the process.
Does HEGP work at colleges outside West Virginia?
WVHEPC points students to cfwv.com/wvgrant for program details, including which institutions participate. Check that list before you assume an out-of-state college accepts it.
Do PROMISE requirements change each year?
WVHEPC published its test-score rules specifically “for the class of 2026.” Treat them as a guide and check cfwv.com/promise for your own graduating class before planning test dates. Requirements beyond test scores, such as grades and coursework, are listed there in full.
Where to go next
Compare West Virginia with other states in our guide to state grants for college, and use our free scholarship finder for private awards. West Virginia’s financial aid hotline is 877-987-7664.
Sources
- West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission: Deadlines approaching for Promise Scholarship, West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program
- College Foundation of West Virginia: Promise Scholarship and financial aid programs
- Federal Student Aid: Effective Dates for Workforce Pell and Federal Pell Grant Ineligibility Provisions