Information and Guidelines

Award Period
Your scholarship award is for the academic year. This means that your disbursement of money will occur in increments of 50% for the fall semester, and 50% for the spring semester. Scholarships are awarded for eight undergraduate semesters, or a bachelor's degree, whichever comes first, with the exception of the Achievement Award (which is for the freshman year only). Scholarships may not be used during graduate school or to pursue a second bachelor's degree.

Scholarship Renewal
If your award is for more than one academic year, you will automatically have your scholarship renewed if you have met the academic standards, as outlined to you in your award letter.

Renewal details for the West Virginia Resident Scholarships can be found at: www.arc.wvu.edu/Scholars_Office/in_state_renewal.html

Renewal details for the Residents of Other States Scholarships can be found at: www.arc.wvu.edu/Scholars_Office/out_of_state_renewal.html

Academic Progress
Academic standards exist for each level of scholarship awards, and are measured at the end of the second summer session of each academic year. Students are notified in writing at the end of the spring semester if appropriate progress is not attained. Students shall be placed on probation if their grade point average is within 1/10 of a point of the required minimum, and/or if the credit hours completed for the academic year represents at least 90% of the stated minimum. For example, if you have been asked to have a 3.00 grade point average at the end of your freshman year, but attain between a 2.90 and 2.99, or your hours completed are at least 22 of the 24 required, you will be placed on probation. Being placed on probation means that the scholarship remains intact, but the student has one academic year to meet the criteria necessary to retain the award. Students who are more than 1/10 of a point below the required minimum, or have completed less than 90% of the needed credit hours will be suspended from the program. Suspension means the loss of the scholarship for one academic year. Students may be reinstated after one year if they reach the necessary criteria set forth in their award response form. Students who are probated or suspended a second time will be permanently dismissed from the program and have their scholarship revoked.

Deferral
Students are eligible to be considered for a one-year deferral period. Requests must be submitted to the Undergraduate Scholarship Office, in writing, at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the semester in which the scholarship would begin. Students granted this type of deferral must reapply for admission and financial aid from WVU after the deferral period has ended. Students will retain their full award with no penalty if they enroll after the one-year period. Students attending other institutions of higher education will have their award reduced for each semester they were enrolled at another institution.

Leaves of Absence
Leaves of absence may be granted from the program if medical reasons exist, and the student provides a written statement from a physician. For other leave of absence requests, student must submit an appeal letter to the Coordinator of Undergraduate Scholarships asking approval. Students must notify the Undergraduate Scholarship Office of intent to enroll at least six weeks prior to returning to WVU. A student on leave of absence may typically have his/her eligibility extended by one academic year.

Summer School
Only scholars who are graduating early (i.e. three years plus summer school) are eligible to use funding to attend summer session(s). Students must submit a request letter to the Undergraduate Scholarship Office start of the summer session they are planning to attend.

Multiple Awards
Students who are eligible to receive more than one scholarship or award through the WVU Undergraduate Scholarship Office will receive the one award with the highest dollar value. Please note that this includes National Merit Scholarships that are sponsored by West Virginia University. The other scholarships in the program which are not stackable with each other include the Foundation, Bucklew, Presidential, Blue & Gold Level 1, Blue & Gold Level 2, Governor's Honors Academy, Mountaineer, G. Belmont Berry, Achievement, University Honors College, and the Loyalty Permanent Endowment Fund Valedictorian.

Other Financial Assistance
Many of the schools, colleges, and departments on campus offer scholarship assistance to students once academic success has been demonstrated. While some of these units offer scholarships to incoming freshmen students, most of them make their awards to upperclass students. We also highly recommend that you submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) so that you may be considered for federal and state loans, grants, and college work- study. The priority deadline for the federal processor to receive the FAFSA is March 1, so we urge you to mail your completed FAFSA by February 1.

Inquiries
Please direct all appeals or inquiries to:

WVU Undergraduate Scholarship Office
P.O. Box 6410
Morgantown, WV 26506-6410
Phone: (304) 293-4126
E-Mail: Scholars@mail.wvu.edu