All About Your Undergraduate Level Aid Award For The 2009-2010 Academic Year
(This Text is from the Undergraduate Award Letter)

Greetings from West Virginia University!

We are pleased to offer you financial assistance for the 2009-2010 academic year. This brochure explains your financial aid award offer. Enclosed are two copies of an award letter showing the financial aid you have been offered. Please review your award letter, complete the Award Response Section located on the back of the award letter, and return one signed copy to the Financial Aid Office. You can also review and respond to this offer by going online and accessing STAR through your WVU MIX account.

To avoid cancellation of this offer, respond within 30 days of the date on the award letter. It may not be possible to reinstate the offer after cancellation has occurred. This deadline is strictly observed in order to make funds available to other students who may need them.

Depending on your award offer, you may also find the following enclosure(s).

• West Virginia University Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan Application

The maximum PLUS loan that your parent may be able to borrow is listed on the award letter. PLUS loans are “credit based” and require additional processing. To begin the process, complete the enclosed Parent PLUS Loan application and return it to the WVU Financial Aid Office. The parent borrower will receive notification of the loan approval or denial. If your parent is not interested in this loan, please indicate that on the Award Response Section of the award letter.

• Cost/Award Comparison Worksheet

A Cost/Award Comparison Worksheet is included to help determine educational costs. This will also help you compare the financial aid award offer you received from WVU with aid offers from other schools. The worksheet is for informational purposes only and should not be returned to WVU.

Financial assistance awarded by West Virginia University (except Federal Work Study and Employment Opportunity) will be credited to your student account. Excess funds will be released to you after tuition/fees and WVU housing and meal expenses have been paid.

If there are any changes to this initial award offer, you will be notified through your MIX email. If you have questions or concerns about your award or unusual circumstances about which you feel this office should be aware, please contact us at 304-293-5242 or finaid@mail.wvu.edu.

Sincerely,

Kaye Caplinger Widney
Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships

General Information

Estimated Cost of Attendance

This figure includes ESTIMATED costs for tuition, required fees, books, supplies, room and board, transportation, and reasonable personal expenses for the enrollment period. Keep in mind that your actual costs may differ from the estimated cost of attendance. You may want to use the enclosed Cost/Award Comparison Worksheet to help determine your actual costs.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

The EFC is determined by the US Department of Education using the information reported on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is based on family income, assets, the number of family members in the household, and the number of members attending college. It does not represent the amount you owe WVU.

Other Scholarships/Money

Outside sources of aid that WVU is aware of are listed in this area. If you receive money from sources other than WVU, you must notify the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible. You may note it on the award letter in the Award Response Section or you may e-mail the information to finaid@mail.wvu.edu. Please indicate if the source is renewable or one-time only. Additional resources may result in an adjustment to your aid package. Any changes to your original aid offer will be communicated through your MIX email.

Calculated Financial Need

This figure is calculated by subtracting your EFC and Other Scholarships/Money from your estimated cost of attendance. This is the maximum amount of need-based assistance for which you may qualify.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)*

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need (students with lowest EFCs) who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree. Award amounts vary but will not exceed $4,000. Priority is given to students who receive Federal Pell Grants.

Federal Work Study Recipients*

If your award includes Federal Work Study, you must have an authorization form before you begin working. You will receive more information about this form prior to arriving on campus. Payment from your work study award will be made as you work rather than in a lump sum; therefore, these funds will not be available to pay expenses such as tuition and fees at the beginning of the semester. Student employees are paid every two weeks, and earn at least the federal minimum wage.

Federal Perkins Loan*

This loan may be offered to students with financial need (this program is not available at Potomac State College). Award amounts vary but will not exceed $4,000. The interest rate is 5%. A promissory note for the loan must be signed; further information will be provided prior to disbursement.

*FAFSA must be received at the Federal Processor by March 1. Limited federal funding restricts the number of awards offered. Funds are awarded primarily to undergraduate students.

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant award is based on financial need and the number of credit hours for which you are enrolled. The amount listed on the award letter is normally based on full-time enrollment. The award will be adjusted for less than full-time enrollment as determined at the end of the official add/drop period. Pell Grants are available only to undergraduates who have not earned a bachelor’s degree.

Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG)

An Academic Competitiveness Grant is awarded to at least half-time first and second-year students who have completed a rigorous high school curriculum (as determined by the federal government). Recipients must be Pell Grant eligible, US citizen or an eligible non-citizen and demonstrate financial need. The award amount for first-year students is a maximum of $750/year. To remain eligible for ACG in the second year, students must continue to meet the above criteria and have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0. The award amount for the second year is a maximum of $1,300/year.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program

The TEACH Grant provides up to $4,000 a year in grant assistance to students who are admitted into specific areas of study in the College of Human Resources and Education. If a student receives the TEACH Grant and does not complete the required teaching obligation, the grant must be repaid as a Direct Unsubsidized Loan under the terms of the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.

State Grants

Awards are determined by individual state agencies. Check with your state agency or your guidance/financial aid counselor for additional information and deadline dates for your state. The WV Higher Education Grant pays a portion of tuition and designated fees. Awards listed as “estimated” are based upon general program guidelines and are not guaranteed; formal notification of eligibility is sent by the appropriate state agency and is subject to change.

PROMISE Scholarship

PROMISE Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit to eligible WV residents. For eligibility information, go to http://wvhepcnew.wvnet.edu/.

WVU HERF Grant

This grant may be awarded to eligible full-time undergraduate WV residents with considerable financial need (this program is not available at Potomac State College or WVU Institute of Technology).

Employment Opportunity

Contact WVU Student Employment Center at www.studentjobs.wvu.edu to learn about securing student employment opportunities at WVU and in the local area. Many jobs entail working 10-12 hours per week and pay at least minimum wage. The earnings can help with your expenses and you may be able to earn as much as $2500 over the academic year.

Federal Direct “Stafford” Loans (Subsidized and Unsubsidized)

These loans are available to students enrolled at least half-time. Award amounts vary based upon the grade level you reported on your FAFSA and may be adjusted if your response is inaccurate. In that event, you will be notified through MIX email that your award has been changed.. WVU participates in the Direct Loan Program; therefore, Federal Stafford Loans through banks, credit unions, and other lenders are unnecessary. An important distinction between a subsidized and an unsubsidized loan is that interest accrues on an unsubsidized loan and must either be paid during in-school periods or deferred and capitalized (added to the principal of the loan). The federal government pays the interest on subsidized loans during periods of at least half-time enrollment. The interest rate will not exceed 6.8%. A small fee (not to exceed 2.0%) is retained by the federal government; therefore the awarded amount and disbursed amount will differ. A signed Master Promissory Note is required before funds will be released. This can be done online at https://dlenote.ed.gov. All first-time loan borrowers are required to complete entrance counseling. You can complete this requirement online at www.dl.ed.gov.

Federal Direct PLUS Loans

This is a credit based loan available to parents of undergraduate dependent students who are enrolled at least half-time. A WVU Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan application must be completed. Eligible parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance, minus any financial aid awards. Upon approval, the parent borrower will be notified of the process for completing a PLUS Master Promissory Note. The parent may request a deferment of interest and principal from the Direct Loan Servicing Center until six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. A small fee (not to exceed 4%) is retained by the federal government; therefore the awarded amount and disbursed amount will differ. The interest rate is fixed at 7.9%.

WVU Scholars Program

If you received a scholarship through the WVU Scholars Program, Potomac State College, or WVU Institute of Technology, it should be included on your award letter. Your scholarship will be applied directly to your charges at WVU. In many cases, the actual funds to support your scholarship will be provided through an endowed program administered by the WVU Foundation. In these cases you will see the original scholarship replaced by one or more scholarships totaling to the same amount. Scholarships awarded through WVU require submission of the Scholarship Response Form in addition to one signed copy of this award letter. If you have questions concerning WVU offered scholarships, contact the Undergraduate Scholars Program at 304-293-4126.

Transient Students

If you are taking part or all of your credit hours at another school as a transient student, additional documentation is required before financial aid can be released. Contact the WVU Financial Aid Office.

Disbursement

Financial aid will first be applied to your WVU charges. Excess funds will be released to you after your charges are paid. Most financial aid will be available by the beginning of the semester; however, some types of assistance from sources outside WVU may arrive later. It is your responsibility to check on the availability of such funds with the Office of Student Accounts (phone 304-293-4006).

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

To remain eligible for financial aid, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward a degree. Undergraduate and graduate students are required to complete at least 70% of all hours attempted with a minimum cumulative GPA as follows: Freshmen (0-28 credit hours) 1.6; Sophomores (29-58 credit hours) 1.9; all other undergraduates 2.0; all graduate students 2.25. Undergraduate students may receive aid for a maximum of 192 attempted credit hours if pursuing a baccalaureate degree (associate degrees or certificate programs have lower maximum hours). Master’s students may receive aid for a maximum of 54 attempted credit hours; doctoral students have a maximum of 108 attempted credit hours (including master’s work) to complete their degree requirements. Review the complete policy online at www.finaid.wvu.edu.

WVU Refund Policy

The refund policy for students who withdraw is outlined under “Refund of Fees” in the WVU Undergraduate Catalog, accessible online at http://coursecatalog.wvu.edu. Refunds range from 90% to 50%, depending on the date of withdrawal. Students who withdraw and who are scheduled to receive a refund of tuition and fees and/or University housing costs, may have all or part of their refund used to reimburse the financial aid programs from which funds were disbursed. No refunds are given after the 6th week of class.

Financial Aid Repayment Policy

When a student withdraws from school before the end of the enrollment period, federal regulations require that WVU determine whether any of the student’s financial aid must be repaid. A student “earns” financial aid based on the length of time actually enrolled. If more than 60% of the term has passed, all aid is considered “earned,” and no funds have to be repaid. If charges, such as tuition and housing, over the amount of “earned” aid are not paid, the student will be billed for the difference. Students owing a repayment for any federally sponsored aid are not eligible for aid during future enrollment periods unless and until satisfactory repayment arrangements have been made with either WVU Office of Student Accounts or US Department of Education. Students who receive all “F” grades in a semester are considered to have unofficially withdrawn from WVU and may owe financial aid back to the federal programs unless continued participation in classes can be documented.

Taxes

Any gift aid (scholarships, fellowships, grants, etc.) received in excess of tuition, fees, books, and supplies is taxable. Questions should be directed to your accountant or to the Internal Revenue Service.

Office Locations

Main Campus
2nd Floor Mountainlair
PO Box 6004
Morgantown, WV 26506
Phone: 304-293-5242
FAX: 304-293-4890
E-mail: finaid@mail.wvu.edu

Health Sciences Center Campus
Room G-111 N
PO Box 9810
Morgantown, WV 26506
Phone: 304-293-3706
FAX: 304-293-6861
E-mail: hscfinaid@mail.wvu.edu

Law Campus
PO Box 6130
Morgantown, WV 26506
Phone: 304-293-5302
FAX: 304-293-6891
E-mail: lawfinaid@mail.wvu.edu

Potomac State College Campus
Enrollment Services
75 Arnold Street
Keyser, WV 26726
Phone: 304-788-6820
FAX: 304-788-6939
E-mail: psc-FinAid@mail.wvu.edu

Montgomery Campus
Financial Aid Office
405 Fayette Pike
Campus Box 51
Montgomery, WV 25136
Phone: 304-442-3140
FAX: 304-442-3052
E-Mail: wvtechfinaid@mail.wvu.edu