Justice’s FAFSA state of emergency already helping students qualify for financial aid

Since Gov. Jim Justice on Tuesday declared a state of emergency over the federal student aid form fiasco, state higher education officials have identified thousands of students who will be able to receive in-state financial help.

A botched federal rollout of a new FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) has put applications in limbo.

“We have been left with no choice,” the Republican governor said as he announced a state of emergency.

Justice’s move suspended a requirement that college-bound high school seniors fill out the form in order to receive state financial aid, including the Promise Scholarship and the Higher Education Grant Program.

By Wednesday, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission had identified 4,700 students who will be eligible for the two awards without needing their FAFSA as the forms could be held up on the federal level.
“Those students we already know we can go ahead and award,” said Jessica Tice, senior director of communications for the HEPC.

West Virginia, which has a high child poverty rate, gives in-state financial help at a higher rate than most states. There is more than $100 million available to students through in-state financial aid, according to the HEPC.

Kathryn Brown and her husband filled out federal financial aid forms for her two daughters – one already attending an in-state school and the other a high school senior – at the start of the year.

“It has been a debacle,” said Brown, who lives in Charleston.

Her family still hasn’t received financial aid award letters from the federal student aid office. She spent the last few months calling the Justice’s office and other politicians in hopes of getting answers; elected officials were very responsive, she noted.

Issues with the FAFSA have resulted in a 40% reduction in West Virginia high school FAFSA completion rates.
Brown said her FAFSA holdup came down to an error with the online signature box. It took months to figure out the problem, she said.

Meanwhile, Brown’s youngest daughter, a high-achieving student, has faced months of uncertainty about her financial help ahead of attending West Virginia University.

“This is not those students’ fault,” Brown said. “As a parent you feel guilty that you’re holding up your child.”
Brian Weingart, senior director of financial aid at the HEPC, said some FAFSA forms submitted in January still haven’t been processed.

“People get caught in the loop with the FAFSA, where it’s not processing then they’ve called the help lines,” he explained.

Because of the tumultuous rollout, many colleges around the country delayed their deposit deadlines.
Justice is the first governor in the country to declare a state of emergency over the FAFSA fiasco.

WVU Communication Director April Kaull said the governor’s action “will help our students receive aid to further their education in West Virginia.” She added that her office is determining further information for students and families about the change.

“We want students to keep in mind that the Sept. 1 Promise Scholarship deadline is still in place to complete the Promise application, and eligibility requirements vary by program,” she said.

Higher education officials along with Kaull encouraged students to fill out their FAFSA despite the ongoing issues.

The HEPC has held more than 200 workshops in high schools and communities to help people with the new FAFSA form.

“We’re a smaller state and we’re able to help students more,” Weingart said.

As Brown awaits official news – and money – from the federal FAFSA office, her youngest daughter recently learned that she will receive the Promise Scholarship.

“My heart goes out to those who are waiting for financial packages to make a decision,” she said.

If you need help filling out the FAFSA, call the state hotline at 1-877-987-7664 or visit https://www.collegeforwv.com