The Best Scholarships in West Virginia

Are you planning on studying in the wild and wonderful state of West Virginia? Before you decide on a major, finding the best scholarships in West Virginia should be your very first task. Why? Approximately 70% of all students graduate post-secondary education with debt. The average student debt per borrower falls somewhere around $27,600 – ranking West Virginia 24^th in the US for student loan debt. Sadly, West Virginia has one of the lowest percentages of college graduates in the country. With rising tuition rates and student fees, it’s no wonder that so many people are questioning the value of attending college.

Lucky for you, we have compiled a tentative list of the best scholarships in West Virginia. The West Virginia University Promise Scholarship represents a growing number of state-sponsored scholarships dedicated to improving the education of West Virginia citizens. Many opportunities exist to reward academically talented individuals inspired to pursue their educations beyond high school. West Virginia University scholarships of distinction, for example, increase with a student’s GPA and standardized test scores. Clearly, hard work can pay off in the long run. College is stressful enough already – paying for it shouldn’t be.

Looking for scholarships in another state? Check out our other scholarship lists here.

This post is part of our Ultimate FAQ for Applying to Scholarships.

The Best Scholarships in West Virginia for High-Achieving Students

1. Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation Scholarships

• Description: The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation wants to help improve the lives of individuals and families living in West Virginia by nurturing the education of young adults. The Foundation sponsors a variety of scholarships for ambitious students planning on studying in West Virginia.
• Amount: Varies based on individual scholarship
• Requirements: Varies based on individual scholarship. Must be residents of the 6 counties included in the Greater Kanawha Valley region. This includes the following six counties: Kanawha, Putnam, Boone, Clay, Lincoln and Fayette.
• How to Apply: Applications are available on the scholarship page of the Foundation’s website.

2. Cunanan Memorial Scholarship

• Description: This scholarship goes to an academically and athletically talented high school senior at Bridgeport High School who is planning on attending a college or University in West Virginia.
• Amount: $1,000
• Requirements: This scholarship is restricted to high school seniors at Bridgeport High School.
• How to Apply: Application can be downloaded on the Mollohan Foundation website.

3. Bucklew Scholarship

• Description: For all the West Virginia students who worked hard in high school – this award is for you! This competitive scholarship awards $10,000 per year for four undergraduate years at West Virginia University.
• Amount: $10,000 annually
• Requirements: Selected students must graduate from a West Virginia high school or have been home-schooled for at least their senior year in West Virginia. A minimum high school GPA of 3.80 along with an ACT composite score of 31 or an SAT of 1390 is required. The Scholarship Selection Committee reviews students.
• How to Apply: Interested students must apply to West Virginia University before the January 16^th deadline. Students eligible for the Bucklew scholarship will also receive additional materials for completion. The deadline to submit all Bucklew Scholarship information is February 10^th.

4. Davis College Dean’s Scholarship

• Description: Academically talented students interested in pursuing a career in agriculture or a related-field offered at Davis College School of Agriculture should consider this West Virginia University scholarship.  The Davis College Scholarship is one of many West Virginia scholarships of distinction.
• Amount: The award amount varies based on the student’s GPA and standardized test scores.
• Requirements: Students must choose an academic major offered by Davis College.
• How to Apply: Students must complete the West Virginia University admissions process by February 1^st.

5. Foundation Scholarship

• Description: This generous West Virginia University scholarship covers the cost of attendance for an entire bachelor’s degree. The scholarship also includes a $4,500 stipend for study abroad or academic enhancement.
• Amount: Full cost of attendance at West Virginia University
• Requirements: Students must graduate from a West Virginia high school. A minimum high school GPA of 3.80 and an ACT test score of 31 or an SAT test score of 1390 is required.
• How to Apply: All application materials must be submitted to West Virginia University by January 16^th in order to be considered.

6. Mountaineer Scholarship

• Description: West Virginia applicants are eligible for yet another generous West Virginia University scholarship.
• Amount: $1,500 per year
• Requirements: Students must be West Virginia residents. A minimum high school GPA of 3.50 and an ACT test score of 26 or an SAT test score of 1190 is required.
• How to Apply: Additional application information is available on the West Virginia University financial aid office website. Students may also submit their application materials early for priority decision.

The Best Scholarships in West Virginia for Minorities and Underrepresented Students

1. PROMISE Scholarship

• Description: This College Foundation of West Virginia scholarship provides continuous support for students completing a bachelor’s degree at West Virginia University.
• Amount: Up to $4,750 per year
• Requirements: Students must be West Virginia residents and demonstrate significant financial need.
• How to Apply: Students are required to complete the PROMISE application and submit the FAFSA. Additional application information listed on the PROMISE website.

2. Helen Holt Mollohan Scholarship

• Description: This scholarship awards a female student currently attending or planning on attending Glenville State College in West Virginia.
• Amount: $1,000
• Requirements: This scholarship is restricted to female West Virginia residents.
• How to Apply: Application can be downloaded from the Mollohan Foundation website.

3. David Womack Memorial West Virginia LGBT Scholarship

• Description: This scholarship can help fund the education of a gay or lesbian student who is a resident of West Virginia. This scholarship honors the life and service of David Womack, an LGBT activist.
• Amount: $1,000
• Requirements: This scholarship is restricted to LGBT residents of West Virginia.
• How to Apply: Students must submit a personal statement as described on the funding organization’s website.

4. West Virginia Higher Education Grant

• Description: This need-based state grant aims to ensure West Virginia students with financial need have the opportunity to attend college or university.
• Amount: Maximum annual award of $2,700; Renewable for up to 3 years
• Requirements: Students must be a West Virginia resident demonstrating significant financial need.
• How to Apply: For priority consideration, students must file the FAFSA. Additional materials are available on the College Foundation of West Virginia website.

5. Roothbert Fund

• Description: This small scholarship fund awards typically 20 students every year. West Virginia is one of 15 states (plus the District of Columbia) that are eligible for the fund.
• Amount: $2,000-$3,000
• Requirements: Students must demonstrate financial need or another barrier to their education. Preference given to students who are considering a career in education.
• How to Apply: Application materials available on the funding organization’s website.

6. Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student Grant Program

• Description: Life happens. This program hopes to provide a second chance for students who were unable to finish their college education after attempting earlier. The goal of this scholarship is to inspire students to continue their post-secondary education on a part-time basis and improve the average educational level in West Virginia
• Amount: The award amount varies based on the number of credit hours enrolled
• Requirements: Students must have been West Virginia residents for at least 12 months prior to the date of application and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Students must demonstrate financial need.
• How to Apply: Application materials are available on the College Foundation of West Virginia website.

7. Diversity Scholarship

• Description: This West Virginia University scholarship aims to increase the inclusivity and diversity of the university. Academically talented students who are culturally, ethnically, or racially diverse are encouraged to apply
• Amount: $1,500 per year for up to four undergraduate years
• Requirements: A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required for both West Virginia resident and non-resident applicants. Students must be enrolled in at least 30 credit hours each academic year in order to be considered for renewal the following year.
• How to Apply: Students must apply to West Virginia University and submit a FAFSA before March 1^st of their senior year of high school. After being admitted to WVU, students must then submit the WVU Diversity scholarship application by July 1^st before the upcoming academic year.

The Best Field-Specific Scholarships in West Virginia

1. High Technology Scholars Program

• Field: Technology
• Description: Sponsored by the Mollohan Foundation, this program provides both a monetary reward along with additional internship and loan opportunities to a West Virginia high school senior planning on studying a technology-related field at a West Virginia University or college.
• Amount: $500
• Requirements: Applicant must be a West Virginia high school senior from one of the following counties: Barbour, Brooke, Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Grant, Hancock, Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Monongalia, Ohio, Pleasants, Preston, Ritchie, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Wetzel, or Wood. Students should also be interested in pursuing a technology-related career in West Virginia.
• How to Apply: Application can be downloaded from the Mollohan Foundation website.

2. Mary Olive Eddy Jones Art Scholarship

• Field: Art
• Description: This scholarship is offered to an artistically talented sophomore or junior student currently attending a college or university in West Virginia.
• Amount: $1,000
• Requirements: Scholarship requirements listed on funding organization’s website.
• How to Apply: Application can be downloaded from the Mollohan Foundation website.

3. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship

• Field: Horticulture/Landscape Architecture
• Description: This scholarship supports any Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia student pursuing a career in horticulture or landscape architecture.
• Amount: Maximum award of $4,000
• Requirements: A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required.
• How to Apply: Visit the Horticultural Research Institute website for more information.

4. Harry C. Hamm Family Scholarship

• Field: Journalism
• Description: Named after a prominent West Virginia journalist, this scholarship awards a student pursuing a career in Journalism or Communications at a West Virginia four-year institution.
• Amount: $1,000
• Requirements: Student must have graduated high school in West Virginia and be studying in West Virginia. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required.
• How to Apply: Application can be downloaded from the Mollohan Foundation website.

5. WVU Engineering Excellence Scholarship

• Field: Engineering
• Description: This scholarship awards a student planning on studying a major offered at West Virginia University’s Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.
• Amount: Maximum $2,500 per year; Renewable for up to four years
• Requirements: To receive the maximum award amount, students must have a minimum ACT Math score of 32 or an SAT Math score of 720. GPA varies based on award level.
• How to Apply: Interested students must complete the West Virginia University admissions process by February 1^st, 2020.

6. John Chambers College of Business and Economics Dean’s Scholarship

• Field: Business, Economics, and Finance
• Description: Students who are interested in both a financial career and West Virginia University should consider applying for this helpful scholarship.
• Amount: Up to $2,000 annually for four undergraduate years
• Requirements: GPA and standardized test score requirements vary based on the award amount.
• How to Apply: Interested students must complete the West Virginia University admissions process by February 1^st, 2020.

7. Reed College of Media Dean’s Scholarship

• Field: Media
• Description: Students interested in pursuing a career in media at West Virginia University should definitely consider this prestigious scholarship. This award increases based on GPA and test score, providing more motivation for prospective students still attending high school!
• Amount: Up to $2,000 per year
• Requirements: GPA and standardized test score requirements vary based on the award amount.
• How to Apply: Complete the West Virginia University admissions process by February 1^st, 2020.

8. Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program

• Field: Education
• Description: This scholarship program assists the next generation of West Virginia early childhood and secondary education teachers.
• Amount: Up to $5,000 per year
• Requirements: Students must commit to teaching in West Virginia for two years for each year they received scholarship assistance. Students who commit to teaching in economically disadvantaged areas must only commit to one year of teaching for every year they receive assistance.
• How to Apply: Enrollment information for this scholarship is available on the College Foundation of West Virginia website.

9. West Virginia Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship Program

• Field: STEM
• Description: This program awards academically talented students aiming towards a career in engineering, science, or technology. Preference is given to students planning on staying in West Virginia.
• Amount: Up to $3,000 per year
• Requirements: Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 one 4.0 scale. Students must also agree to work full-time in an engineering, science, or technology field in West Virginia for one year for each year the scholarship was received. Priority is given to West Virginia residents.
• How to Apply: Applications become available on October 1^st of the student’s application cycle.

10. Medical Student Loan Program

• Field: Medicine
• Description: This program assists financially needy medical students in their pursuit of becoming either a Medical Doctor (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). Loans may be forgiven should students commit to full-time employment in a West Virginia practice OR if they choose to practice in an underserved area.
• Amount: Up to $10,000 per year
• Requirements: Students must be enrolled full-time at an approved West Virginia School of Medicine and be prepared to uphold high academic standards.
• How to Apply: Applications are available on the College Foundation of West Virginia website.

11. West Virginia Nursing Scholarship Program

• Field: Nursing
• Description: This program hopes to improve the health and quality of life for all West Virginians by funding the education of tomorrow’s nurses.
• Amount: Varies based on nursing degree type
• Requirements: Recipients must work in a West Virginia practice following graduation in order to avoid repayment of the scholarship.
• How to Apply: Additional application information is available on the College Foundation of West Virginia website.

12. West Virginia Health Sciences Service Program

• Field: Health Sciences
• Description: This program also sets out to improve the healthcare quality of West Virginia by educating the next generation of healthcare providers – from nurses to physician assistants to clinical psychologists.
• Amount: $30,000 for medical and dental students. $15,000 for students training to become nurse educators, nurse midwives & practitioners, occupational therapists, pharmacists, physical therapists, physician assistants, clinical psychologists, public health practitioners, and clinical social workers.
• Requirements: Students must fulfill serve obligations of their degree program as described on the funding organization’s website in order to avoid repayment of the award.
• How to Apply: Additional application information available on the College Foundation of West Virginia website.

13. Allegheny Mountain Section Air & Waste Association Scholarships

• Field: Environmental Sciences, Engineering, or Law
• Description: This scholarship program sponsors students living in the Allegheny Mountain region and are interested in pursuing a career related to some aspect of natural resource management.
• Amount: Varies
• Requirements: Students must be attending a university listed on the AWMA Allegheny Mountain Section scholarship website.
• How to Apply: Application materials are available on the funding organization’s website.

Perhaps the same country road that leads you home to the place you belong could also lead you to an exciting world of higher education – free from financial burden!  We hope that you found this extensive guide to the best scholarships in West Virginia helpful.  Thanks to the generosity of state-sponsored scholarships, such as the PROMISE scholarship, the future of higher education in West Virginia is full of promise and opportunity. If you enjoyed this list, be sure to check out our other guides to scholarships in other states!

Lastly, if all the scholarships we review on our site aren’t enough for you, check out which scholarship databases to use here.

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