Pay for Your College Education with Student Loans from West Virginia

Unravel the Confusion

Student loans are among some of the biggest obstacles when it comes to planning your college education. So let’s unravel the confusion. One of your best sources is the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC). This government agency provides a comprehensive guide to college education financing for state residents. The WVHEPC site includes the following information:

  • Latest financial aid news
  • Resources for lenders and schools
  • College planning tools
  • West Virginia state loans and financial aid programs
  • Federal aid and loan programs

First Step: Federal Education Loans

Let’s emphasize the importance of applying for your federal student loans before all other aid programs. Biggest reason: the Stafford Loans are the single most popular and widely disbursed student loan in the nation, require NO credit check and provide some level of aid for nearly every applicant, a real no-brainer. Second, you’ll discover that most other student loan programs and even scholarship and grant programs require you to have applied for your federal student loans.

Steps for applying for Federal student loans:

  • Access the FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid via the WVHEPC website.
  • Complete the FAFSA by the earliest of two deadlines: the FAFSA deadline, or the FAFSA filing deadline set by the college or university to which you’re applying—two different deadlines, and you must file by the earliest.
  • Make sure you complete the application fully. If you need assistance with the FAFSA contact your high school guidance counselor or a college admissions professional. They are all trained to help guide you.

Learn more about the Federal student loan programs.

State Sanctioned Alternative Student Loans

The Medical Student Loan is an incentive-based, low-cost alternative loan designed to meet the financial demands of grad students pursuing a medical degree. To qualify you must be enrolled in one of the leading medical programs in the state, including Marshall University School of Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. Qualify for up to $10,000 annually once your federal loans are paid out.

For more information on student loans available to WV students and parents visit the WVHEPC website.