MOST WV SCHOOLS FAIL COLLEGE GOING GRANT APPLICATIONS GOAL

(12/08/2015)
The College Foundation of West Virginia announced this week that only 32 WV schools met or exceeded the state's 2015 goal for increasing the number of 12th graders who complete the FAFSA form.

Calhoun and none of the regional counties met the goal, but some showed significant improvement.

FAFSA is the primary application for state and federal financial aid for college.

In January, CFWV set a goal of ensuring that at least 60 percent of high school seniors complete the FAFSA.

"Completing the FAFSA is one of the most important steps in pursuing higher education," Brian Weingart, Senior Director for Financial Aid at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and West Virginia Community and Technical College System said.

"By completing this one form, students can be considered to receive thousands of dollars in grants — that's 'free money' that you don't have to pay back."

Students can complete the FAFSA anytime after January 1 in the year they intend to go to college.

Percentage of Senior Class Completing a FAFSA (Class of 2015):

Wirt 58%

Calhoun 56%

Ritchie 53%

Gilmer 49%

Roane 46%

Clay 44%

Braxton 43%

West Virginia has led the nation with lowest college going students.