How to Apply for Financial Aid

What does a student have to do?

To apply for needs-based financial aid, a student must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available from either the Marshall University Office of Student Financial Assistance, high school guidance counselors, or public libraries. A student also may submit an application online at www.fafsa.ed.gov/. The FAFSA must be submitted if a student wants to considered for all available resources including grants, loans and student employment. A processing fee is not required for the FAFSA. The FAFSA is used to determine family ability to meet the cost of the student’s education, which, in turn, determines "financial need."

A student should electronically submit the FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible to receive consideration for programs with limited funding. The application deadline for West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program is March 1st. Apply on-line at www.hepc.wvnet.edu.

An acknowledgment will be sent to him or her by the federal application processor. The student’s data will also be submitted electronically to Marshall University, Title IV School Code 003815 AND to Marshall Community & Technical College’s Title IV Institutional Code is 040414.

Financial Assistance Programs at MCTC

Types of Financial Aid

Grants/Scholarships

Federal Pell Grant: available to full and part-time students. Applicants must complete the FAFSA.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: (SEOG): available to full- and part-time students; priority is given to Pell Grant recipients. Applicants must complete the FAFSA.

Federal Work Study and Jobs Program

Federal Work Study Program: for qualified students who will be assigned jobs on campus and paid twice each month for work done. The student can work until the total amount reaches a preset level. Applicants must complete FAFSA.

Federal Student Jobs Program: available through Marshall’s Career Services Center for students who need jobs off campus. A FAFSA and, if applicable, an application must be completed annually. Call 304-696-2370 for more information.

Loans

Federal Perkins Student Loan: need-based loan for full-time and part-time students. Applicants must complete the FAFSA. No additional loan application is required. Repayment begins nine months after student graduates or after dropping to fewer than six hours.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan: need-based loans for students enrolled for at least six hours. Applicant must complete the FAFSA. A variable interest rate is set annually, not to exceed 8.25%. Maximum Annual Loan Limits depend on what year you are in school and whether you are a dependent or independent student. First Year Limit for Dependent: $ 3,500 First Year Limit for Independent: $ 7,500 Second Year Limit for Dependent: $ 4,500 Second Year Limit for Independent $ 8,50 (First Year = 0-29 completed credits toward your credential. Second Year = More than 30 completed credits toward your credential. Repayment begins six months after graduation or after enrollment drops to fewer than six hours.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan: for students enrolled for at least six credit hours who have not had their expenses met through other financial aid. Applicants must complete the FAFSA. Loan amounts, interest rates and repayment conditions are the same as for the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan. However, interest payments on this loan must be paid while the borrower is in school or be deferred and capitalized (added to the principal of the loan). All first-time borrowers are required to attend an entrance interview or complete such interactively at www.marshall.edu/bursar. Entrance interviews are designed to familiarize the borrower with his or her rights and responsibilities. Loan proceeds cannot be distributed until this requirement has been fulfilled.

All student borrowers are required to complete loan exit counseling when they graduate or fall below half-time enrollment.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan: for parents of dependent students. Loans are only for the expenses of education that other aid doesn’t cover. Applicants must complete a Parent Loan Data Sheet. An applicant with an adverse credit history is denied per program regulations.

Financial Assistance Programs for West Virginia residents

West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program: for full-time students who are West Virginia residents. Applicants must complete the FAFSA. Details are available on the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Web site, www.hepc.wvnet.edu.

West Virginia Higher Education Adult Part-time Student (HEAPS) Grant Program: Awarded to eligible part-time students taking no fewer than six hours or more than eleven semester hours and who have been West Virginia residents for 12 months immediately preceding the date of HEAPS Grant application. All applicants must complete the FAFSA. For more information about HEAPS, call the Financial Aid office at 304-696-3162 or toll-free at 1-800-438-5390. Details on HEAPS can be found at www.hepc.wvnet.edu.

Scholarships

Academic Scholarships - West Virginia Residents

Incoming freshmen and transfer students are automatically considered for scholarship assistance based upon admission records. Scholarships available to incoming freshmen are described below.

Transfer students must have a minimum cumulative transfer GPA of 3.5 and a minimum ACT composite score of 25. The award amount for a transfer student is $1,000 for the academic year.

Returning Marshall Community & Technical College students with current year scholarship awards must maintain a 3.5 GPA or better to receive consideration for award continuation. An application is not required. Students must also complete a minimum of 26 credit hours (excluding remedial credits) during the current school year.

Awards are made periodically in the Spring of each year for the upcoming academic year. Students are notified via an award letter and are asked to sign and return within 20 days of the award notification.

Academic Scholarships - Metro Area Residents

Scholarship Programs at MCTC

Academic Scholarships - West Virginia Residents

Incoming freshmen and transfer students are automatically considered for scholarship assistance based upon admission records. Scholarships available to incoming freshmen are described below.

Transfer students must have a minimum cumulative transfer GPA of 3.5 and a minimum ACT composite score of 25. The award amount for a transfer student is $1,000 for the academic year.

Returning Marshall Community & Technical College students with current year scholarship awards must maintain a 3.5 GPA or better to receive consideration for award continuation. An application is not required. Students must also complete a minimum of 26 credit hours (excluding remedial credits) during the current school year.

Awards are made periodically in the Spring of each year for the upcoming academic year. Students are notified via an award letter and are asked to sign and return within 20 days of the award notification.

Academic Scholarships - Metro Area Residents

Incoming freshmen and transfer students are automatically considered for scholarship assistance based upon admission records. Scholarships available to incoming freshmen are described below.

Transfer students who have successfully completed 60 or more hours at an out-of-state college with at least a 3.75 cumulative GPA are eligible for a one-half tuition waiver per semester. This scholarship is renewable for two semesters beyond the first year of eligibility based on a cumulative Marshall GPA of 3.5 and completion of a minimum 26 credit hours (excluding remedial credits) during the school year.

Scholarships

Franklin Marshall Community & Technical College Scholarship: awarded to a Marshall Community & Technical College student with at least a 2.5 grade point average who is enrolled as a full-time student in Marshall Community & Technical College. Applicants will be required to complete an application and write an essay. This scholarship is awarded in the spring semester for the following fall.

Redd Scholarship: Recipients of the scholarship must be from McDowell or Cabell County and be enrolled full-time in MCTC or Marshall University. The award will be given to an African-American student either currently enrolled or newly admitted. Applicants will be required to complete an application and write an essay. The student must maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average. West Virginia PROMISE Scholarships: The West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship Program is available to West Virginia high school graduates meeting eligibility standards. More details are available on the PROMISE Web site, www.promisescholarships.org or by calling toll-free: 1-877-987-7664.

John Marshall Scholars: High school seniors with ACT composite scores of 30 (or 1320 SAT score) or higher and a 3.5 GPA will be considered for the John Marshall Scholarship Program. The award amount is determined annually. Recipients receive a tuition waiver and annual $1,250 stipend. Students maintaining the required 3.5 GPA and meet other program requirements will be considered for renewal of John Marshall awards.

Presidential Scholarship: High school seniors with minimum ACT composite scores of 25-29 (or 1130 SAT score) and a 3.5 GPA are eligible for Presidential Scholarships. Recipients receive awards of $1,250 for one academic year. Students maintaining the required 3.5 GPA will be considered for renewal of Presidential Scholarships each year.

A. Michael Perry Freshman Scholarship: There are two levels of this scholarship. High school seniors meeting the criteria designated below are eligible for scholarships. These awards are for one academic year.

• $500 award: 3.2 cumulative GPA & 20-22 ACT Composite (940- 1050 SAT) or 3.2-3.49 cumulative GPA & 23-24 ACT Composite (1060-1120 SAT)
• $750 award: 3.5 cumulative GPA & 23-24 ACT Composite (1060- 1120 SAT) or 3.2-3.49 cumulative GPA & 25-29 ACT Composite (1130-1310 SAT)

Transfer students who have successfully completed 30 or more hours at an out-of-state college with at least a 3.75 cumulative GPA are eligible for a one-quarter tuition waiver per semester. This scholarship is renewable for two semesters beyond the first year of eligibility based on a cumulative Marshall GPA of 3.50 and completion of a minimum 26 credit hours (excluding remedial credits) during the school year.

Returning Marshall Community & Technical College students with current year scholarship awards must maintain a 3.5 GPA or better to receive consideration for award continuation. An application is not required. Students must also complete a minimum of 26 credit hours (excluding remedial credits) during the current school year. Awards are made periodically in the Spring of each year for the upcoming academic year. Students are notified via an award letter and are asked to sign and return within 20 days of the award notification.

John Marshall Scholars: High school seniors with ACT composite scores of 30 (or 1320 SAT score) or higher and 3.5 GPA will be considered for the John Marshall Scholarship Program. The award amount is determined annually. Recipients receive a tuition waiver and annual $1,250 stipend. Students maintaining the required 3.5 GPA and meet other program requirements will be considered for renewal of John Marshall awards.

Board of Governors’ Scholarship: High school seniors with a minimum ACT composite score of 25-29 (or 1130 SAT score) and a grade point average of 3.50 are eligible for a Board of Governors’ Scholarship. Recipients will receive awards of one-half tuition waiver for one academic year. Students who maintain the required 3.5 GPA will be considered for renewal of Board of Governors’ Scholarships.

A. Michael Perry Honor Freshman Scholarship: High school seniors with an ACT composite score of 23 or 24 (or 1060 SAT score) and a grade point average of 3.5 are eligible for the A. Michael Perry Honor Freshman Scholarship. Recipients will receive an award of one-quarter tuition waiver for one academic year. Students who maintain the required 3.5 GPA will be considered for renewal of A. Michael Perry Honor Scholarships.

A. Michael Perry Freshman Scholarship: There are two levels of this scholarship. High school seniors meeting the criteria designated below are eligible for these scholarships. These awards are for one academic year.

• $500 award: 3.2 cumulative GPA & 20-22 ACT Composite (940- 1050 SAT) or 3.2-3.49 cumulative GPA & 23-24 ACT Composite (1060-1120 SAT)
• $750 award: 3.5 cumulative GPA & 23-24 ACT Composite (1060- 1120 SAT) or 3.2-3.49 cumulative GPA & 25-29 ACT Composite (1130-1310 SAT)

John Laidley Scholarship: High school students with ACT composite scores of 25 or higher (or 1130 SAT score) and a GPA of 3.5 receive a $3,500 award for one academic year. Students who maintain the required GPA will be considered for scholarship renewal