Grants
Federal and state grants are available and generally do not have to be paid back. Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is necessary to determine eligibility for these grants. The following grants are awarded on the basis of financial need to undergraduates who have not yet received a four-year degree.
Federal Grant Programs
Federal Pell Grant
Students at Pierpont who have not received a bachelor’s degree may be eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant based on calculated financial need. Federal Pell is a grant that does not need to be repaid.
This grant program is based on financial need as determined by completion of a FAFSA each year and the number of credit hours for which you are enrolled on the last day of the add/drop period. Any enrollment changes must be reported to the Financial Aid Office. You must also comply with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2022-2023 year is $6,895
See information about Federal Pell Grants from the U.S. Department of Education.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
Pell-eligible students at Pierpont may also be eligible for an additional grant under the SEOG program. This grant program is based on financial need as determined by completion of a FAFSA each year. SEOG is awarded primarily to students with exceptionally high financial need. You must be a Pell Grant eligible undergraduate student and have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree. Awards vary as funds are limited. You must also comply with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
See information about Federal SEOG Grants from the U.S. Department of Education.
State Grant Programs
Pierpont currently receives funds from the States of: West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. You should check with your state’s education office or your high school counselor to see if they allow you to use your state grant funds in a state other than your home state.
West Virginia Invests Grant
West Virginia Invests is a last-dollar-in1 financial aid program designed to cover the cost of tuition, mandatory fees, and academic program fees2 for certificate or associate degree programs in specific high-demand fields, as determined by the West Virginia Department of Commerce, at a participating West Virginia public two or four-year institution. With 75% of jobs in the current economy requiring postsecondary education or training, West Virginia Invests is designed to help more West Virginians like you earn the credentials you need to land a rewarding career right here at home.
1 The maximum award amount is limited to the total cost of basic tuition and mandatory fees minus other grant or scholarship aid. Certain programs charge additional fees not approved for this program. These fees, along with the cost of textbooks and other course materials, must be paid by the student if other forms of financial aid are not available to offset these costs.
2 Effective Summer 2021, academic program fees approved by the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education are included in the award amount at 2-year public community and technical colleges.
See information about the WV Invests Grant
West Virginia Higher Education Grant
The West Virginia Higher Education Grant is a need-based financial aid program designed to ensure that West Virginia students are given an opportunity to pursue post-secondary education and is awarded by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Awards are based on demonstrated financial need and generally may be used in conjunction with other forms of state, federal, and institutional financial aid.
The award amount is approximately 70 percent of tuition and designated fees for eligible WV residents and can vary depending on your financial need. This grant is available only to full-time undergraduates who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree. It can only be renewed for seven terms.
Graduating High School Seniors must complete a FAFSA each year by April 15. Older adult students may have up to June 15 to submit their FAFSA to be considered for the State Grant. Students who have previously received the grant must complete 24 credit hours between the fall and spring terms and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0. Students must also comply with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
See information about West Virginia Higher Education Grants
WV Higher Education Assistance for Part Time Students (HEAPS) Grant
The goal of the Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student Grant Program is to encourage and enable West Virginia students with demonstrated financial need to continue their education on a part-time basis at the post-secondary level.
This is a grant awarded to Pierpont based on funding provided by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. The award amount varies and funding is limited. This grant is available only to part-time students enrolled in at least 3 credit hours, but not more than 11. To be eligible, you must have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree. You must complete a FAFSA each year and have financial need. Students must also comply with the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
See information about the Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student Grant Program
ALL FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDS ARE SUBJECT TO BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS.
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded based on need, merit, and talent and most require an application. Students may receive scholarships from Private Sources, Federal and State Funds, or from Pierpont Community & Technical College. Most scholarships do not need paid back.
West Virginia residents may be eligible for the PROMISE Scholarship, a merit-based financial aid program. Students who achieve certain academic goals are eligible to receive funds to help pay for college. Eligible high school graduates will receive annual awards up to $5,000 to cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at public or independent institutions in West Virginia.
It is the intent of Pierpont Community & Technical College to promote and foster the highest degree of scholarship for our students. To assist students in this effort, we award scholarships primarily on merit and need. The objective of Pierpont’s scholarship program is to foster the recruitment and retention of a diverse student body with special talents.
Scholarships are provided through the Pierpont Foundation and their generous donors and Institutional Funds. They are awarded based on various criteria that may be determined by donors, programs of study, or institutional scholarship committees. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships also administers scholarship aid delivery for a wide range of externally-funded and managed merit and need-based scholarships received by students.
Tuition waivers
Tuition Waivers are awarded based primarily on need or state directive. Students may receive tuition waivers for a variety of reasons. Tuition Waivers do not need paid back.
Eligibility
Scholarships for talent and academic merit are very competitive. Each applicant is judged against all others applying for the same scholarship. So, be outstanding!
Some scholarships are based solely on academic achievement, leadership, and/or other contributions without reference to financial need.
Others are earmarked for those who present strong academic and leadership potential and have demonstrated need. Some scholarships are available for renewal for up to four years, but you may need to submit an application each year. Others may only be available for freshmen or sophomores. Whatever the requirements, be sure you apply on time.
To Apply
When a student applies to Pierpont, their application for Admissions is also the application for institutional scholarships and waivers. All scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Funding is limited. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships uses a priority date of March 1. Scholarships that are awarded by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Numerous scholarships are available from private and corporate sources.
Some sites to check are: