14 Wonderful West Virginia Scholarships for 2026
Paying for college can be challenging, but scholarships can make a huge difference in making your education more affordable. If you’re a West Virginia student, there are plenty of scholarship opportunities designed just for you! To help you get started, we’ve put together 14 West Virginia scholarships that can help you cover tuition costs, reduce student loan debt, and focus on reaching your goals.
Here are 14 of the best scholarships for West Virginia students in 2026.
Here’s your extensive list of scholarships in West Virginia:
1. West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program
Amount: Varies
Provider: West Virginia State Legislature
Requirements: U.S. citizen, West Virginia residency for at least 12 months prior to application date, high school graduate or earned a TASC or high school equivalent certificate, demonstrate academic promise, will enroll at a participating institution.
The West Virginia Higher Education Grant is a renewable need-based program to help students in West Virginia pursue their college education. Students may renew the grant until they complete their studies, or up until three academic years after they receive the initial award.
2. West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship
Amount: Up to $4,750
Provider: West Virginia State Legislature
Requirements: Maintain a 2.75 GPA the first year and a 3.0 GPA in subsequent years, complete and earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in each 12-month period for a student who receives a two-semester award in an academic year. If a student receives a single-semester award, the student must complete and earn a minimum of 15 credit hours in an academic year. Remain continuously enrolled as a full time student.
The West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship is a merit-based, renewable scholarship for students in West Virginia who achieve certain academic requirements. The funds may be used to cover tuition and mandatory fees, and current PROMISE recipients may be eligible to receive a Summer PROMISE award.
3. Choose West Virginia Practice Program
Amount: Tuition waiver for the differential between in-state and out of state tuition (approx. $30,000)
Provider: West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
Requirements: Nonresident West Virginia medical students, accepted or enrolled at Marshall University, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, or West Virginia University in a program leading to a degree of Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy, must not be in default of previous student loan.
The Choose West Virginia Practice Program is a tuition waiver program for medical students who are nonresidents. It encourages students to attend one of the schools listed above and to maintain a good academic and professional standing. In addition to receiving a tuition waiver, participants are required to complete residency and/or fellowship training in West Virginia and other states, and then begin their service obligation within six months of completing training.
4. West Virginia Nursing Scholarship Program
Amount: Varies. $1,000 – $15,000 per year
Provider: West Virginia Center for Nursing and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
The West Virginia Nursing Scholarship Program provides scholarships for students enrolled in an accredited West Virginia nursing program. Students will receive scholarship awards in exchange for completing a service obligation in the state. Students in one of the following programs may be eligible to apply for the program: LPN, RN, LPN teaching certificate, and master’s or doctoral nursing education.
5. Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student Grant Program
Amount: Varies. Maximum grant is based upon per credit hour tuition and required fees
Provider: West Virginia State Legislature
Requirements: Must be a West Virginia resident for at least 12 months before application date, U.S. citizen, submit the HEAPS Workforce Development application, have a high school diploma, TASC or high school equivalent.
This Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student Grant encourages West Virginia students to continue their education on a part-time level. HEAPS grants can be renewed without exceeding an additional nine years beyond the first year the recipient receives the award.
6. West Virginia Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship Program
Amount: Up to $3,000 per year
Provider: West Virginia State Legislature
Requirements: U.S. citizen, 3.0 GPA, Enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an engineering, science, or technology program leading to a certificate or an associate or bachelor’s degree at an eligible institution of higher education.
The West Virginia Engineering, Science and Techonology Scholarship program encourages students with exceptional academic achievements to pursue STEM-related careers. Priority will be given to residents of West Virginia.
7. West Virginia Higher Education Grant
Amount: Varies. Based on financial need and available funding.
Provider: West Virginia State Legislature
Requirements: U.S. Citizen, resident of West Virginia for at least 12 months prior to application date, high school graduate or earned a TASC or high school equivalent certificate.
The West Virginia Higher Education Grant may be used at approved post-secondary public and independent institutions in West Virginia or Pennsylvania. The grant is provided based on financial need and assists students in pursuing a college degree.
8. Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program
Amount: $10,000 per year for up to four years
Provider: West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
Requirements: High school senior or recent high school graduate with plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in an approved teacher preparation program in math, science, elementary education or special education at an eligible West Virginia institution; 3.25 GPA; Earned minimum ACT scores of 21 in math and 18 in English, or minimum SAT scores of 530 in math and 480 in English.
The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program provides funding to future teachers, and requires students to communicate regularly with an assigned teacher mentor. After graduation, scholars must teach at a West Virginia public school in one of the following fields for five consecutive years: math, science, elementary education or special education under contract with a county board of education.
9. James T. and Rose M. Perryman Family Foundation Scholarship
Amount: Up to 97% of tuition, capped at $25,000 per year
Provider: James T. and Rose M. Perryman Family Foundation
Requirements: U.S. Citizen, 3.0 GPA, major in technology, engineering, math, or metals, enrolled in undergraduate or trade school programs, video and essay, and complete an interview if selected as a finalist.
The James T. and Rose M. Perryman Family Foundation Scholarship helps fund up to 97% of tuition. Students studying a STEM-related field are encouraged to apply.
10. Korean American Scholarship Foundation – Eastern Regional Chapter
Amount: $2,000
Provider: Korean American Scholarship Foundation
Requirements: Korean heritage, 3.0 GPA, full-time student in Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The KASF is a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to Korean-American students who are seeking higher education. All full-time students are encouraged to apply to the Korean American Scholarship, including high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, undergraduate students, and graduate students.
11. KASF Scholarship for Descendants of American Korean War Veterans
Amount: $2,000
Provider: Korean American Scholarship Foundation
Requirements: Full-time student, be a direct descendant of a Korean-War Veteran who served in Korea from June 25, 1950–January 31, 1955 (Korean War Era, as designated by the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs), attend a school located in the KASF Eastern Region: Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The KASF Scholarship for Descendants of American Koren War Veterans was created to honor and recognize 1.6 million American Veterans who served in the Korean War during the Korean War era. High school students, undergraduate and graduate students are all encouraged to apply for this scholarship.
12. ASM Global Stars
Amount: $2,500
Provider: ASM Global / Scholarship America
Requirements: Must be a high school senior or current undergraduate, female or minority, demonstrate financial need, minimum GPA of 2.5, enrolled in full time undergraduate or vocational study, pursuing a degree in: Business/International Business, Hospitality/Entertainment/Sports Management, Culinary Arts, Communications/Public Relations/Digital Media, Information Technology, or Graphic DesignASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences.
The ASM Global Stars Scholarship Program reflects the commitment to providing diverse and under-resourced communities with educational and career development opportunities through scholarship awards and prospective internships. Take the stage and become ASM Global’s next star!
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13. West Virginia Invests Grant
Amount: Full cost of basic tuition and fees
Provider: West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
Requirements: Were a legal resident of West Virginia for at least 1 year immediately before applying; Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen for federal financial aid; Are a graduate of a public, private or homeschool program, or have successfully passed a high school equivalency test; Be in compliance with the college’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy; for renewal you must also have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
Students can rest easy knowing the full cost of basic tuition and fees are taken care of with the West Virginia Invests Grant. The grant covers select certificate and associate degree programs at a two- or four-year institution in West Virginia. Some programs charge additional fees, such as equipment and supply costs, so the student will be responsible for those fees.
14. The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
Amount: Varies
Provider: The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation provides more than 100 statewide scholarships, just a portion of the 500+ funds they administer. Last year, TGKVF funded 362 scholarships with a total funding of $736,182.
Ready to find scholarships in WV?
If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed with all the different options, we’re here to assure you that it’s OK! Make the process easier for yourself, and sign up for your free Going Merry profile. We’ll take care of the heavy lifting of finding scholarships you’re eligible to apply for.
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