Earning a college degree is a sound investment in yourself!
So it makes sense to fully understand your options when it comes to paying for that investment. The information and resources below are provided to help you better understand how to apply for financial aid, including loans, grants, and scholarships.
Download the Financing Your Education PDF
Applying for Financial AidTypes of Loans & GrantsScholarshipsPayment OptionsExtra Resources
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the primary instrument for determining eligibility for financial aid. You can complete the FAFSA online beginning October 1 of the aid year prior to the aid year you plan to attend. Worksheets to help you collect your financial information are also available on the same website beginning in October prior to the aid year. Be sure to enter Fairmont State University’s school code – 003812.
Completing your FAFSA by March 1 will increase your chances of eligibility for grants and scholarships. West Virginia students who may be eligible for the PROMISE Scholarship must also complete the common application by March 1. If you miss the March 1 date, you can still complete a FAFSA to be considered for Federal Aid. West Virginia students may also be considered for the West Virginia Higher Education Grant if funds permit.
Be sure to use the IRS Data Retrieval process available when you file the FAFSA or make corrections. This option will allow you to transfer your tax data directly into the FAFSA form. More information on filing your FAFSA and transferring your tax data from the IRS can be found on our website.
TIP: The FAFSA4caster is available on the FAFSA website and can be accessed during your junior year or before January 1 of your senior year. This online tool gives you an estimated Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and an estimate of the aid you might be eligible to receive.
The U.S. Department of Education randomly selects a number of applications in a review process called verification. You are notified of this on your Student Aid Report (SAR), the results of your processed FAFSA. Selected recipients who do not use the IRS Data Retrieval process or change previously transferred information will be required to provide additional documentation, such as an IRS Tax Transcript. Be sure to submit any documents upon receipt of the request.
TIP: Transfer or returning students who completed a FAFSA the prior year will be able to transfer some of their personal information from their previous year’s FAFSA by using their Federal Student Aid ID.
Fairmont State participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program with the Veterans Administration. When used with your Post 9/11 Chapter 33 benefits, all of your tuition and mandatory fees will be covered if you are eligible for 100% of your benefits. Learn more at our Veterans page, or go to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs for more information.
TIP: Remember to complete the Veteran Certification Info. Card – “the Green Card” each semester or term.
This grant is available to students with need determined by the information provided on the FAFSA and the resulting Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The maximum grant is provided by the Department of Education and awarded to students with an EFC of 0. As the EFC increases, the award decreases.
Early completion of the FAFSA is required and is awarded by the school based on Pell Grant eligibility. All applicants whose FAFSA is received by the Department of Education processing center by March 1 will be considered until funds have been exhausted. Funds are limited.
Fairmont State University participates in the Direct Loan Program, which is available to students enrolled at least half-time. Award amounts vary, depending on grade level.
An important distinction between the subsidized and the unsubsidized loan is that interest accrues on the unsubsidized loan and must either be paid while the borrower is in school or deferred and capitalized at repayment time (added to the principal of the loan). The federal government pays the interest on subsidized loans as long as borrowers are enrolled at least half time. Subsidized interest is no longer available to students during the 6-month grace period or to graduate students. The interest rate currently changes on July 1 of each year; however, it will not exceed 8.25%. A nominal fee is deducted from each disbursement and retained by the federal government.
Students who have accepted their loans but who have not yet signed a Master Promissory Note will receive instructions about signing via the internet at a later date. First-time loan borrowers in the Direct Loan Program are required to complete entrance counseling prior to receiving their first disbursement.
You can complete this requirement online. The loan will be disbursed in at least two payments and generally will be credited to the student’s account for payment of tuition and other school charges. Any remaining funds will be paid directly to the student by check.
These loans are available to parents of dependent students who are enrolled at least half-time. Parents complete the application in addition to student’s FAFSA. This is a credit-based loan. Eligible parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance, less any financial aid awards. Instructions to complete the Promissory Note will be sent upon credit approval. Repayment begins within 60 days after the final loan disbursement. A nominal loan fee is deducted from each disbursement, which is retained by the federal government. The interest rate is fixed. The loan will be disbursed in at least two payments and generally will be credited to the student’s account for payment of tuition and other school charges. Any remaining funds will be sent to the students’ mailing address.
This program allows eligible students to earn money by working part-time up to 20 hours per week at minimum wage. This type of aid is not applied to charges at Fairmont State University. Recipients receive a paycheck every other Friday. Priority is given to students who meet the March 1 priority filing date. Funding is limited.
This grant is available to all West Virginia residents with need who complete and submit the FAFSA by the state’s due date based on the student’s status at the time of application. Priority date: April 15 for all students. (Students may still be considered for the State Grant after that date provided funding is available.) The state grant amount is set by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC).
Higher Education Adult Part-time Students Grant (HEAPS) – tuition funds for West Virginia residents enrolled part-time; Engineering, Science, & Technology, Robert C. Byrd, and Underwood-Smith Scholarships; Gear Up awards; and Health, Science and Technology Academy Waiver (HSTA). For more information, please visit the College Foundation of West Virginia website.
Please contact the grant program of your home state for specifics.
The PROMISE Scholarship Program covers up to $4,750 of tuition and mandatory fees for eligible West Virginia residents. High school students who have earned a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in their core and overall classes and attained a score of 22 or better on the ACT or at least 1100 on the SAT are potentially eligible. You must also meet the FAFSA filing priority deadline of March 1. For more information, review the PROMISE Scholarship website.
All West Virginia students who meet the admissions criteria are eligible for the Opportunity Scholarship which is awarded upon acceptance. Priority Deadline April 1.
Fairmont State wants to reward students who live outside of West Virginia, with the exception of students from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, and District of Columbia, for the hard work they have completed in high school. Students are awarded upon acceptance.
Fairmont State has identified the following states as Metro states; Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, and District of Columbia. Students from these states qualify for a Metro rate reduction in tuition and fees. In addition to the reduction in tuition and fees, students may also qualify for the Metro Scholarship based on their academic achievements. The scholarship is awarded upon acceptance. Priority Deadline April 1.
TIP: In addition to our competitive tuition and fees, Fairmont State offers Admissions, Departmental and Fairmont State Foundation Scholarships to ease the financial burden on our students. Students may also apply for the Charles J. McClain Presidential Scholarship. Additional information and applications can be found on our scholarship page.
Fairmont State University offers different payment options:
All major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are accepted.
Fairmont Installment Plan Service (FIPS): This service allows students to break their charges into six installments per semester after 100 percent of their financial aid is processed. There is no charge for enrolling in FIPS.
Students are billed each term via e-mail. The most efficient way to pay your invoice is online. You can review your account status, make payments and enter FIPS through our website.
Students must use their Unified College Account (UCA) and password to access the website.
If you have any questions regarding tuition or fees, please contact the Office of Student Support Services at (304) 367-4141 or via email (studentservices@fairmontstate.edu).
For a chart of current costs and more information on scholarships, please visit us online.
