W. Va. Code R. § 133-42-6

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 133-42-6 - Student Eligibility

6.1. In addition to the criteria established in W. Va. Code § 18C-5-5, to be eligible for a higher education grant award, an applicant must:

6.1.1. Have earned a high school diploma or passed a high school equivalency exam; and

6.1.2. Plan to enroll or be enrolled at a participating Title IV-eligible institution as a full-time undergraduate student in a degree or certificate-producing program; and

6.1.3. Demonstrate academic promise (for new awards) or achievement (for renewal awards); and

6.1.4. Demonstrate financial need.

6.2. A new Higher Education Grant applicant may satisfy the academic promise requirement in one of the following ways:

6.2.1. An applicant who has earned college credit after high school graduation or since passing the high school equivalency exam demonstrates academic promise if he or she has earned a cumulative college grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale as determined by the participating institution. The applicant must meet the institution's satisfactory academic progress standards.

6.2.2. An applicant who graduated from high school or passed the high school equivalency exam more than five years before enrollment or who has completed active military service and has not earned college credits after high school graduation or the high school equivalent before the date of enrollment demonstrates academic promise if he or she meets the admission requirements of the participating institution.

6.2.3. An applicant who has earned the high school equivalent within the last five years prior to enrollment and has not earned college credits after passing the high school equivalent exam demonstrates academic promise if his or her score meets the minimum score recommended by the Higher Education Student Financial Aid Advisory Board.

6.2.4. An applicant who does not fall within the categories described in Subsections 6.2.1., 6.2.2., or 6.3.3. demonstrates academic promise if he or she meets the admission requirements for a degree or certificate program of the participating institution and has a cumulative high school GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

6.3. A renewal higher education grant applicant satisfies the academic achievement requirement if the student has maintained a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, is meeting institution's academic progress requirement, and

6.3.1. If the student received a two-semester award, the student must have earned at least the minimum number of credit hours within the academic year as recommended by the Higher Education Student Financial Aid Advisory Board for renewal; or

6.3.2. If the student received a single-semester award, the student must have earned at least the minimum number of credit hours within the academic year as recommended by the Higher Education Student Financial Aid Advisory Board.

6.3.3. Institutions are responsible for determining whether renewal students have satisfied academic achievement requirements.

6.4. An applicant demonstrates financial need if:

6.4.1. He or she has a completed FAFSA on file with the United States Department of Education by a date to be determined by the Vice Chancellor for Administration; and

6.4.2. His or her cost of attendance is greater than the total of his or her SAI, as calculated from the FAFSA, and other financial aid; and

6.4.3. His or her SAI does not exceed an amount set by the Vice Chancellor; and

6.4.4. He or she has completed verification if selected by the U. S. Department of Education's Central Processing System (CPS) or the institution.

6.5. A student is not eligible to receive a Higher Education Grant award if he or she:

6.5.1. Previously has earned a bachelor's degree; or

6.5.2. Previously has received eight semesters of Higher Education Grant awards; or

6.5.3. Is not deemed to be an undergraduate student by the institution; or

6.5.4. Owes the institution or the Commission for a Higher Education Grant or other state financial aid overpayment unless the student has a written reimbursement plan in place.

6.6. "Residency" for purposes of W. Va. Code § 18C-5-5 and this rule, is determined as follows:

6.6.1. For dependent students, the legal residence of the parent(s) named on the FAFSA is prima facie evidence of the student's legal residence.

6.6.2. Students may provide documentation to the Vice Chancellor evidencing the required residence in the State of West Virginia.

W. Va. Code R. § 133-42-6