HEAPS Guidelines

Programs Available to Assist Individuals:
HEAPS Grant Program - Workforce Development Component

Program Purpose and Goals
The Higher Education Adult Part-time Student (HEAPS) Grant Program is designed to encourage and enable needy West Virginians who desire to continue their education at the postsecondary level on a part-time basis, to pursue their educational goals. The object of the workforce development component of HEAPS is twofold: assisting recipients in upgrading their occupational skills and, by offering an incentive for additional education and training, to improve the workforce of West Virginia.

Student Eligibility
A person is eligible for consideration for a grant through the workforce development component of HEAPS if the person:

• Demonstrates financial need for the funds. The applicant must complete an application for HEAPS Workforce Development Component, which is a combination application and abbreviated need analysis form.
• Is a West Virginia resident and may not be considered a resident of any other state. State resident means a person who has lived in West Virginia continuously for a minimum of twelve months immediately preceding the date of application for HEAPS grant or renewal of a grant.
• Is a United States citizen or permanent resident thereof.
• Is not incarcerated in a correctional facility.
• Is not in default on a higher education loan.
• Is in compliance with Military Selective Service Act.
• Is making satisfactory progress at the time of application.
   * Satisfactory progress for a first time award means being accepted for enrollment by the institution the applicant plans to attend. Thereafter, satisfactory progress means continuous advancement toward completion of the program on the normal schedule established for that program.

Application
Students must apply directly to the Center for Workforce Education at Pierpont Community& Technical College. The application is checked for accuracy and then sent to the Higher Education Policy Commission Central Office. The WV HEPC then determines elegibility, and the College will contact the applicant to notify them of any grant funding awarded. Recipients will be selected based on the applicants eligibility, program of study, and the availability of funds.

Amount of Award
The award for the workforce development component of HEAPS shall be no greater than the average amount charged for comparable training at West Virginia public colleges and universities or at vocational/technical schools under the jurisdiction of the Department of Education.
Total aid, including the HEAPS award, may not exceed the total cost of education as defined by the institution being attended. The current maximum HEAPS award is $2000 per year.