Meet the Staff

Please do not hesitate to contact our office by email or phone for additional information and assistance.

Director of Student Financial Aid
Stella Estepp
Stella.estepp@southernwv.edu

Financial Aid Counselor
Janice Bowens
Janice.bowens@southernwv.edu

Financial Aid Counselor
Beverly McDonald
Beverly.mcdonald@southernwv.edu

Financial Aid Counselor
Mary Trent
Mary.trent@southernwv.edu

Financial Aid Support Line
(304) 896-7060
financialaid@southernwv.edu

Apply Today!

Learn more about applying for financial aid at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College.

Please click on Free Application for Federal Student Aid and follow the steps provided to start your financial aid application today!

About Financial Aid

The financial aid department at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College is committed to assisting students through the entire process of applying for financial aid. The process can sometimes seem overwhelming. The following information will help you know what to expect and to learn more about the Financial Aid process. Please do not hesitate to contact our office by phone or e-mail for additional information and assistance.

Financial Aid Office
(304) 896-7060
financialaid@southernwv.edu

This information is subject to change by SOUTHERN and/or in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Education at any time as policies and processes are reviewed and updated annually.  Periodic changes will be published and specific financial aid information sent directly to financial aid students.

Applying for Financial Aid

SOUTHERN is pleased to assist high school seniors, and new and returning undergraduate students in the application process for financial assistance. We participate in a wide variety of grants, scholarships, loans and employment opportunities.  Most of our students who apply for Financial Assistance, receive some type of aid. The first step to determine eligibility is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please click on Applying for Financial Aid (add link) and follow the steps provided to start your application today!

General Eligibility Requirements

A student must have a high school diploma or its equivalent; enroll as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program; be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen; have a social security number; make satisfactory academic progress; sign certifying statement on the FAFSA, such as agreeing to use Federal student aid funds only for educational expenses; and male students must register with selective service.

Calculating the Cost of Attendance

Cost of Attendance

Also known as “The Financial Aid Budget,” Cost of Attendance is the total amount it may cost a student to go to school. A student’s cost of attendance is composed of all educational expenses that student may accrue while pursuing their degree for the semester and/or year.  A student’s financial aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance.

Net Price Calculator

The cost of attendance includes direct costs (costs the student would need to pay SOUTHERN) and indirect costs (other costs a student may have that are not charged by the College).  There is an allowance in the Cost of Attendance for items such as Transportation, Living Expenses, Room & Board, and other educational expenses.  Your award letter and MySouthern accounts will show the COA for the current enrolled aid year. To estimate your cost of attendance, click on the Net Price Calculator.

Budgets or the (Estimated) Cost of Attendance are subject to change based on mandates from the Board of Directors due to changes in economic circumstances.  The COA determines how much financial aid a student may be awarded.  Tuition, which makes up part of the Cost of Attendance or Budget is $161 per credit hour for the 2019-2020 school year.  Full-time base tuition is $1932.00, per semester for 12 or more credit hours.

For current Out of State Tuition cost, please visit the Office of Student Accounts page.

Dependency Status for Financial Aid Purposes

A student’s dependency status determines whose information must be reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  If you’re a dependent student, you will report your and your parents’ information.  If you’re an independent student, you will report your own information (and if married, your spouse’s). Click here to read the definitions, find out who has to provide parental information, and learn what to do if you aren’t in contact with your parents.

Communication from the Financial Aid Office

Carefully reading the information sent to you by the financial aid office is critical in helping the financial aid process to move along smoothly. New students who have not yet attended Southern will be notified of award packages and required information through letters sent by regular mail. Once new students have attended orientation, e-mail notices to Southern e-mail accounts will replace paper correspondence. Returning students will receive only e-mail communication to their Southern e-mail address. Once you have received your Southern user name and password, you can check your financial aid status online at any time through MySouthern.

Verification – Additional Required Documents

The US Department of Education selects approximately one-third of all financial aid applicants for verification. In this process applicants are required to submit additional documents (such as worksheets or income tax returns) to the Financial Aid Office before we can finalize aid eligibility. If these additional documents are requested by the Financial Aid Office, they should be submitted as soon as possible to ensure we have enough time for processing before tuition is due. Unsatisfied requirements on your MySouthern account can cause financial aid delays. These requirements can prevent students from receiving financial aid offers or prevent aid from disbursing. Students are notified they have unsatisfied requirements via their Southern student email account.

Each outstanding requirement is listed with instructions and, if applicable, a link to any required documentation. Please click here to learn more about this process.

Complete the following steps to locate your unsatisfied requirements in MySouthern:

1. Login to MySouthern.
2. Click on Financial Aid
3. Click Financial Aid Status
4. Select the 2019-2020 Aid Year and press Submit
5. Click on your unsatisfied student requirements

For privacy reasons, please do not send any documentation through email. Instead, you can visit your local campus location (Boone, Lincoln, Logan, Williamson, or Wyoming) to bring in any paperwork that needs to be processed. You can also mail any documentation to the following address:

Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College
C/O Financial Aid
PO Box 2900
Mt. Gay, WV 25637

When your file is complete (all requirements are satisfied), your eligibility will be determined, and you will be sent an award notification via your Southern email account. NOTE: Not all awards (i.e. Vocational Rehabilitation) may be visible on your account at this time. This includes institutional, state, and private scholarships. These will be added at a later date.

Grants

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant program is a federal grant for undergraduate students pursuing their first college degree. Students must demonstrate financial need based on the information provided on the FAFSA. Click here for the online FAFSA application. The amount a student is eligible for will depend on family income, costs of attendance, and enrollment status. Those applying for Federal Pell Grant must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or renewal application. Students must reapply for a Federal Pell Grant every year.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) is awarded to students pursuing their first degree. Students must be enrolled for at least six credits, demonstrate exceptional financial need based on the information provided on the FAFSA, and be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. Funding is limited, priority is given to those students who apply early.

Higher Education Aid for Part-time Students (HEAPS)

Higher Education Aid for Part-time Students (HEAPS) is a need-based grant designed to assist West Virginia students enrolled on a part-time basis (3-11 credit hours). Applications for funding must be completed each academic term, and the student must complete the FAFSA to be eligible for HEAPS funding.

Please review the West Virginia Higher Education Grant website for an in-depth review of this opportunity and current scholarship criteria.

West Virginia Higher Education Grant (WVHEG)

The West Virginia Higher Education Grant is a need-based grant for WV residents who are full time students (enrolled 12 or more credit hours). WVHEG is designed to ensure West Virginia students are given an opportunity to pursue a post-secondary education. The first step in the application process is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applications processed before April 15 each year are given priority consideration. WVHEG recipients must complete 24 credit hours in two academic terms and maintain a 2.0 or higher grade point average to be considered for future awards.

Please review the West Virginia Higher Education Grant website for an in-depth review of this opportunity and current scholarship criteria.

Scholarships

Private Scholarships

Private citizens and groups have established scholarships to help students who possess specific skills to meet their educational needs. A student may obtain information concerning available scholarships from the College financial aid office. An available scholarship listing may be obtained by contacting the Foundation liaison at (304) 896-7425.

PROMISE Scholarship

The West Virginia PROMISE (Providing Real Opportunities for Maximizing In-state Student Excellence) Scholarship Program, is a merit-based financial aid program for West Virginia residents that offers high school graduates annual awards to help cover the cost of tuition at public or independent institutions in West Virginia. All applicants must submit a completed FAFSA and PROMISE application by the March 1 deadline to be eligible.

Please review the PROMISE Scholarship website for an in-depth review of this opportunity and current scholarship criteria.

The PROMISE Scholarship is based on the student’s achievements, not on his/her parents’ financial resources, not on the institution’s resources, nor on any other factors.

Southern Scholarships

Southern scholarships are presented annually to a graduating senior from each high school within Southern’s service area. Renewals are based on applicant’s maintaining a 3.0 GPA and filing a renewal application by the established deadline (generally April 15).

Federal Work Study

The Federal Work Study Program (FWSP) is self-help aid earned on a wage per-hour basis through assigned part-time employment at on-campus locations. An effort is made to provide each FWSP recipient with a work experience that will complement his or her skills and/or academic objective. The hourly rate is at least the federal minimum wage, and students are paid every two weeks according to hours worked. To be eligible for work study, a student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), demonstrate financial need, be in good academic standing, and be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours.

Loans

Federal Direct Loans

SOUTHERN students can apply for Federal Student loans through the Federal Direct Loan program.  A loan is borrowed money that must be repaid, along with interest that may accrue.  Students applying for a Federal Direct Loan must be enrolled at least half time (six credit hours), complete a Master Promissory Note, and complete Entrance Counseling.

• Federal Direct Subsidized Loan – Students may apply for a student loan if they are enrolled or have been accepted for enrollment at least halftime (six credit hours). Students who qualify for a subsidized loan will have the interest on the loan paid by the Federal government while enrolled in school, and during the six-month grace period after their last date of enrollment or during an eligible deferment. Repayment begins six months after the student graduates, withdraws from college, or does not enroll at least half-time; students may be allowed up to ten years to repay.
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan – Independent students who do not qualify for the maximum subsidized loan limits may borrow the difference, plus an additional amount of up to $4,000 under this program. Students are responsible for the interest while enrolled in school, during the six-month grace period after their last date of enrollment, or during an eligible deferment. Repayment begins six months after the student graduates, withdraws from college, or does not enroll at least half-time; students may be allowed up to ten years to repay.

Private Student Loans

SOUTHERN does not endorse or provide information regarding any single loan product or loan provider.  Students may independently explore private student loan options.  Please remember that you may qualify for Federal Direct Loans by completing a FAFSA.  If you decide to apply for a private student loan, you must complete, sign, and provide a copy of the U.S. Department of Education’s self-certification form for private student loans to your lending institution.

Financial Aid Policies and Procedures

• SCP – 4274 — Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
• SCP – 4356 — Change in Enrollment (Return of Title IV Aid –R2T4)
• SCP – 4710 — Academic Integrity (Student Code of Conduct)
• SCP – 4770 — Student Rights and Responsibilities
• SCP – 4192 — Administrative Withdrawal and Administrative Drop of Students
• SCP – 5065 — Undergraduate Tuition and Fee Waiver Policy

Electronic Book Store Vouchers

MBS Direct is SOUTHERN’s official campus bookstore.  Once your financial aid is processed and your financial aid review complete, if you have funds available after your tuition and fees are paid, you may use your financial aid during specific times of the semester to purchase your text books.  This is also known as the electronic bookstore voucher process.  Please review the link to (Office of Student Accounts) for specific dates and times when electronic bookstore vouchers will be available. Please have your student ID and class schedule available when using your financial aid to purchase your text books at the on-line bookstore.

Summer Financial Aid

Summer semesters at SOUTHERN are considered the last term of each academic year. All awards are initially offered for fall and spring only. You must request aid for summer by contacting the Office of Financial Aid (304) 896-7060 or email finaid@southernwv.edu.

Please click on the Summer Financial Aid link to learn more about applying for financial aid for the Summer term.

Financial Literacy

Consumer Information