Since Gov. Jim Justice declared a state of emergency Tuesday over the federal student aid fiasco, state higher education officials have identified thousands of students who can receive federal financial aid.
A botched The nationwide implementation of a fresh FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) has kept applications in limbo.
“We had no choice,” the Republican said Governor said when he declared a state of emergency.
The justices’ move removed the requirement that high school graduates entering college fill out the form to receive federal financial aid, including the Promise Scholarship and the Higher Education Grant Program.
As of Wednesday, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission had identified 4,700 students eligible for the two awards without needing their FAFSA because the forms could be withheld at the federal level.
“The students we already know we can recognize,” said Jessica Tice, HEPC senior communications director.
In West Virginia, where child poverty rates are high, federal financial support is higher than in most states. According to the HEPC, more than $100 million in federal financial aid is available to students.
Kathryn Brown and her husband filled out federal financial aid forms earlier this year for their two daughters, one already in public school and the other in high school.
“It was a debacle,” said Brown, who lives in Charleston.
Her family has still not received any financial aid notices from the Federal Office for Student Aid. She spent the last few months calling the Justice Department and other politicians in hopes of getting answers; Elected officials have been very responsive, she noted.
Problems with the FAFSA have resulted in a 40% decline in FAFSA completion rates at West Virginia high schools.
Brown said her FAFSA holdup was due to an error in the online signature field. It took months to figure out the problem, she said.
Meanwhile, Brown’s youngest daughter, a high-achieving student, faces months of financial aid uncertainty before she can attend West Virginia University.
“This is not the fault of these students,” Brown said. “As a parent, you feel guilty because you are holding your child back.”
Brian Weingart, senior director of financial aid at HEPC, said some FAFSA forms submitted in January still have not been processed.
“People are put in touch with the FAFSA where there is no processing, then they called the hotlines,” he explained.
“This is not the fault of these students.
– Kathryn Brown, a mother who lives in Charleston
Due to the turbulent rollout, many colleges across the country have postponed their deposit deadlines.
Justice is the first governor in the country to declare a state of emergency over the FAFSA fiasco.
WVU Communications Director April Kaull said the governor’s action will “help our students receive assistance for their continued education in West Virginia.” She added that her office is providing more information for students and families about the change.
“We want students to keep in mind that the Promise Scholarship deadline is September 1 to complete the Promise application and that admission requirements vary by program,” she said.
University officials joined Kaull in encouraging students to fill out their FAFSA despite the ongoing problems.
HEPC has held more than 200 workshops in high schools and communities to support people with the fresh FAFSA form.
“We are a smaller state and can help students more,” Weingart said.
While Brown waits for official news – and money – from the federal FAFSA office, her youngest daughter recently learned she will receive the Promise Scholarship.
“My heart goes out to those waiting for financial packages to make a decision,” she said.
If you need assistance completing the FAFSA, call the state hotline at 1-877-987-7664 or visit us https://www.collegeforwv.com
