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Many colleges have pushed back their usual May 1 commitment dates to June 1. The current deadline for federal student aid stands at June 30, according to the .

W.Va. bypassing FAFSA

Justice announced the state of emergency during an Tuesday.

“We have to find a way to bypass this FAFSA requirement that will provide eligibility to our high school kids in regard to their scholarships,� he said.

There has been a 40% decline in FAFSA applications in West Virginia, which Justice attributed to confusion about the new form and filing process.

“The reason for that is our kids don't know what to do,� the governor said.

Under the state of emergency, FAFSA status won’t matter when it comes to state aid, Justice said.

“We can bypass this FAFSA stuff and we can at least get on to getting our kids the state funding,� he said.

State aid available

The state of emergency will allow West Virginia students to receive their state aid in time for the fall semester, Higher Education Chancellor Sarah Armstrong Tucker said.

Students who qualify and apply for the Promise Scholarship by Sept. 1 could receive an award for up to $5,500 for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Students who completed a FAFSA last year and qualify for a needs-based Higher Education Grant can still receive up to $3,400 for the fall semester. Students who do not have a FAFSA on file but are eligible for state programs can show that eligibility to their college’s financial aid office and still receive grant funding.

Qualifying programs include:

• SNAP
• TANIF
• Medicaid
• CHIP
• WIC
• Child Care Subsidy

Students receiving these benefits who need a replacement eligibility letter can call 877-716-1212, Armstrong Tucker said.

Students should continue to fill out the FAFSA, since they stand to receive over $7,000 in federal Pell grant money, Tucker said

“If you qualify for Promise or the Higher Education Grant, you will get your money this fall, regardless of your FAFSA status,� Armstrong Tucker said.

'Bungled' FAFSA rollout questioned

The state of emergency in West Virginia comes on the same day that Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., took issue with the new FAFSA rollout during a meeting of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

Capito addressed the situation in her opening statement and also directed remarks to U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, who was there for a hearing to review the president’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Education.

“I have spoken with so many West Virginians the past several months who are angry about your department’s misplaced priorities and feel discouraged about their futures because of the bungled FAFSA implementation,� she said.

Capito highlighted a 36% decrease in FAFSA completions nationally compared to the previous year, with even steeper declines in West Virginia. She also emphasized the adverse impact on both traditional and non-traditional students, potentially leading to delayed or abandoned educational pursuits.

“Some students may never end up enrolling in post-secondary education because the hurdles to complete the FAFSA were just too high,� Capito said. “And many of those who have managed to overcome the difficulties and submit their FAFSA are still left in the dark about what financial aid they are eligible for in the fall.�

Capito underscored the financial strain on colleges and universities due to the FAFSA delays, jeopardizing access and affordability for many students, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds. She criticized the department's timing, as college decision day approached, leaving students unable to make informed choices about their future.

“Our students deserve better,� she told Cardona.