Bluefield State University’s financial aid programs assist those students who otherwise would be unable to attend college because of budget constraints. Primary consideration is given to the students with financial need, enrollment status, and satisfactory academic progress. The State of West Virginia appropriates funds toward educational costs for West Virginia residents attending Bluefield State University. The low cost of Bluefield State University’s tuition and fees, coupled with the various financial aid programs, makes a college education accessible and possible for students from families of all income levels. See the Financial Aid Office for additional information. |
Student financial aid is available from federal, state, and institutional sources. The FAFSA Application for federal programs may be accessed by logging into studentaid.gov.
Applicants for federal assistance should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Students should complete all sections of the form and should list Bluefield State University (with code 003809) in the appropriate block. Continuing aid applicants receive a renewal application from the federal processor by the email they have associated with their account. Certain types of aid are limited, and students are encouraged to apply by March 1st of each year for consideration for the following fall semester.
After submitting the application, the student will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the processor. SARs do not have to be submitted to the Financial Aid Office unless corrections are necessary. Corrections should be noted by the student on Part 2, which must be signed, by the student and one parent in the case of a dependent student. Financial Aid Office personnel can make most corrections electronically. A revised SAR will be sent to the student. Financial aid files are reviewed when all supporting documents have been received. Students are notified of award amounts by mail.
Tuition, fees and other college expenses, such as parking fines, etc., are collected from the first available source(s) of aid. Students must begin attendance in all classes equaling the number of semester hours upon which the aid award is based. Students reported for non-attendance may have to repay a portion or all of their awards. If students officially withdraw from the University, institutional refunds will be applied to financial aid accounts first in accordance with federal and institutional policy. Students may be required to repay a portion of the balance of a grant depending on the date of withdrawal.
Federal Programs
The amount of federal assistance for which a student is eligible is determined based on the reported financial resources of the student and/or of the student’s family. The amount of federal assistance a student is awarded through the institution is dependent upon the quantity of funds the institution has been allocated for distribution by the Department of Education. Criteria used to determine individual award amounts are available in the Financial Aid Office.
Federal Pell Grants
Pell Grants are available to students pursuing an undergraduate degree and do not have to be repaid. To receive full benefit of all federal aids and the West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program, a student must apply for the Pell Grant.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) - These grants are available to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need via the federal application form and, like the Pell Grant, do not usually have to be repaid.
Federal Work-Study Program - Students qualifying for federal college Work-Study funds may apply within the University or at approved community service locations.
Federal Loan Types:
Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loan Program - Need based and non-need-based loans are made to students through the Financial Aid Office. Need analysis is required. Interest rate is variable. Fees are assessed for insurance and origination. Payments may be deferred while student is in school. Various repayment options and consolidation with prior Stafford Loans are available. Eligible students may borrow the federal annual loan maximum once during the college’s scheduled academic year, which includes the fall, spring, and following summer terms.
Federal Direct Stafford Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students - Loan requires need analysis and is made by the Financial Aid Office. Interest rate is variable. Fees are assessed for insurance and origination. Standard repayment period is 10 years.
Federal Direct Stafford Unsubsidized Graduate Loans- The loans are provided to Graduate students if they are enrolled in at least 6 hours in a semester. Students are eligible for up to $ 20,500 annually and will be applied
by semesters of enrollment.
Federal Direct Graduate Plus Loans- be a graduate or professional student enrolled at least half-time at an eligible school in a program leading to a graduate or professional degree or certificate; not have an adverse credit history (unless you meet certain additional eligibility requirements); and meet the general eligibility requirements for federal student aid. Students must apply for the Graduate Plus Loan by clicking https://studentaid.gov/plus-app/grad/landing.
State of West Virginia Programs
Health Sciences and Technology Academy (HSTA) Program - Students certified by the State of West Virginia, eligible by the West Virginia HSTA program and who are enrolled as a full-time student would receive a partial waiver of tuition for up to eight semesters. Must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better and complete 30 credit hours per academic year. The tuition waiver may not cover the full tuition cost at Bluefield State University.
Promise Scholarship Program - This scholarship is based on high school academic performance and satisfactory progress toward completion of a degree. The scholarship amount covers a portion of mandatory fees required as a condition of Enrollment by all students. For additional information, visit the Promise Scholarship website at http://www.wvhepc.edu/tag/promise-scholarship/
West Virginia Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student Grant Program (HEAPS) - These grants are available on a limited basis to students enrolled between 3-11 hours. Eligible students must demonstrate financial need, maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, be a West Virginia resident and meet academic progress.
West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program - This scholarship is based on financial need of the applicant and satisfactory progress toward completion of a degree. It is granted for a substantial portion of tuition and fees of West Virginia residents only. The student’s application for federal funds must be filed by April 15 for consideration the following year.
Special Scholarship Funds
Students wishing to be considered for an academic or special scholarship listed below should complete the Leadership Essay at: https://bluefieldstate.edu/form/leadership-scholarship-essay#no-back and submit it to the Financial Aid Office by April 1. Eligibility for general academic or special scholarships is determined by the Financial Aid Office/Scholarship Committee and awards are made based on the various scholarship criteria.
Annual Scholarship - Student must have and maintain a GPA of a 2.0.
Bartlett-Welker Foundation Scholarship - Awarded to a female student who is at least 25 years of age and is a West Virginia resident. Student must have completed at least 1 year of college, be a full-time student and maintain a GPA of 2.0 and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Big Blue Athletic Scholarships - Awarded to promising student-athletes.
Bluefield State College Employees’ Dependents Scholarship - Scholarships for dependents of employees with at least two years’ full-time employment at Bluefield State University who are registered full time and earning a minimum GPA of 2.75.
Bluefield State College Foundation Scholarships - Scholarships are granted annually based on academic achievement. Within the Foundation scholarship program, certain scholarships are designated and/or named for persons or organizations that have made substantial contributions to the university. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Bluefield State College Board of Governor’s (BOG) - Tuition waivers are awarded to entering freshmen and continuing students based on academic excellence, exceptional talents or skills, or financial need. This award waives all or part of a student’s tuition for up to eight semesters as long as a satisfactory grade point average is maintained. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Carl P. and Selba Meadows Boyd Scholarship - Awarded to students from Tazewell County (VA) or McDowell County (WV) with a minimal GPA of 2.5. Must have completed at least 24 credit hours of college level work toward a declared major, demonstrate financial need.
Broady Family Scholarship - This scholarship is awarded to Bluefield State University students in Teacher Education with a demonstration of need and 2.5 GPA. Must complete 30 credit hours per year.
BSC Alumni Association Scholarship - Students who demonstrate scholastic achievement and who show evidentiary need for financial assistance will be awarded scholarships to address their unmet tuition obligations. An Alumni Association application must be filed by April 1 of each year. Alumni application forms can be accessed at the Alumni Affairs website. Students will be able to access them online starting January 1. Award is made exclusively by the Alumni Association.
Morgan Campbell Scholarship - Awarded to members of the Bluefield State University Baseball Team, Tazewell County Virginia or Mercer County West Virginia respectively. In the event there are no available candidates from either county, any other student from any other school may be selected. Home schooled students are eligible. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Carter Family Foundation Scholarship - Awarded to a student majoring in Education with financial need with preference given to students from Raleigh County. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Central Area of The Links, Inc. Scholarship - Women’s organization with a long and rich history of supporting HBCUs. Provides financial assistance to students with demonstrated financial need and who have a GPA of 3.0 or better. Must complete 30 credit hours per year.
Charles Jasper Smothers Endowed Scholarship - Non-traditional student entering the Criminal Justice field, preferably from Mercer or McDowell Counties in West Virginia. Student must be planning to stay in the southern West Virginia are and work in law enforcement specifically drug task force related work. Student must also be willing to work with the drug task force as a mentor to other students during their studies at Bluefield State University. Must maintain GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Cole Harley-Davidson Scholarship - Scholarship awarded to a Business major who is a resident of WV, graduate of Bluefield High School, and whose individual or family income is 125 percent or less of the federal poverty level. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
W. Paul Cole, Jr. Leadership Scholarship - Awarded to a student in his or her third or fourth year of the Business Program. Must major in Business Administration. Show financial need as determined by the Bluefield State University Financial Aid Office. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
CONSOL Energy Scholarship - The Southern Appalachian Region of Consolidation Coal Company provides scholarships for students interested in engineering technology programs. Requirements are a 3.0 or better GPA and demonstrated interest in mining careers. Must complete 30 credit hours per year.
Stelio Betty Corte Scholarship - Awarded to student with financial need who meets BSU entrance criteria and qualification.
Craddock Scholarship Award - Award is based on financial need and academic achievement. Preference is given to students from Appalachia pursuing a B.S. degree in Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering; Computer Science; Nursing; Biology; Chemistry; Mathematics or other Physical Science or Pre-Medical program. Must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Credit Bureau of the Virginias - Awarded to residents within the nine counties surrounding Bluefield State University (VA and WV). Focuses on financially needy students with min. GPA of 2.0. Maintain a GPA of 2.0 and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Dalton Scholarship - Scholarship available to residents of West Virginia who demonstrate ability to succeed and whose income is 125% or less of the federal poverty level. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Julia Ann Daugherty and Lucille Wilson Goodwin Scholarship - Awarded to students from local high schools within Mercer County, West Virginia and Tazewell County, Virginia; must have financial need and meet all BSC criteria and qualification.
Thomas and Charlotte Deskins Scholarship - Awarded to a student from McDowell County WV who is in Civil Engineering and demonstrates financial need as determined by Financial Aid. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Douglas F. Crickmer Memorial Scholarship - This scholarship is awarded annually by the Women’s Auxiliary to the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Engineers, Inc. to students with a GPA of 2.5 or better in Mining Engineering Technology or other Engineering Technology program supportive of the needs of the mining industry. Must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Brian A. Delp Service Award - Presented to a graduating senior who exemplifies the dedication to community service and academics exhibited by the late Brian A. Delp.
Brian A. Delp Humanitarian Athletic Award - Awarded to a rising junior student athlete with a minimum GPA of 2.5 who is NCAA certified and 2-year letterman at Bluefield State University.
Grants Supermarket Scholarship - Awarded to a student with an individual or family income that is 125 percent or less of the federal poverty level and a resident of West Virginia. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Hamilton-Hatter Scholarship - Awarded to an underrepresent student aspiring to have a career in research; parents are Bluefield State University alumni. Must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA.
Frank Hart Endowed Scholarship - Awarded to a resident of West Virginia or Virginia with a 3.0 GPA majoring in Engineering Technology or Computer Science. Must maintain a 3.0 or better GPA and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Holyfield Endowment Scholarship - Awarded to a minority student, resident of West Virginia, demonstrated ability to succeed in college, demonstrated financial need as determined by Financial Aid Department, prior or current community service or campus involvement. A student majoring in Education, and or Sciences and minimum GPA of 2.5.
The People First Scholarship - Must meet qualifications for NIPS. Must be a student with a documented disability or a student who seeks through his/ her studies to identify and remove barriers affecting persons with disabilities. Must apply for Student Support Services and be active in campus organizations.
Phillip Horton Scholarship - Awarded to African American students with academic promise.
Prema Krishnan Scholarship in Nursing - Awarded to a non-traditional student in the second or subsequent year of the Nursing program who is a West Virginia resident from a rural county with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Krotseng “Go for Graduation” Annual and Endowed Scholarships - Awarded to a rising senior or fifth year student with economic hardship and a GPA in major and overall GPA of 2.0 or higher that meet graduation requirements.
Tom Joyner Scholarship - Scholarship to students of African American descent with minimum GPA of 2.5 with a declared major in education, science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Must maintain a 2.5 GPA and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Lawson Scholarship - This scholarship is awarded to students from Southwest Virginia (Bland or Wythe counties) or a transfer from Wytheville Community College who have financial need and show academic ability to succeed. Must maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Rhonda Grace Linkous Scholarship - Awarded to a student with an individual or family income that is 125 percent or less of the federal poverty level, who is a resident of West Virginia and majoring in Education. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
John and Elisabeth MacClarence Scholarship in Education - Scholarship for resident of WV or a bordering county with a minimum GPA of 3.2 who has declared a major in the School of Education. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Benjamin and Almeta Martin Scholarship- Preferred Education Major; If education major not available, other majors would qualify. GPA of 3.0 or higher, reflects potential academic promise. Must have financial need.
A.T. Massey Foundation Scholarship - This Foundation provides scholarships to students in southern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, or eastern Kentucky. It requires a B average or better and demonstrated interest in coal mining careers or working in coal mining areas.
Audrey Mayberry - This scholarship is awarded to a Junior or Senior who is a graduate of Bluefield or Princeton High School. Must maintain a college GPA of 2.5 and complete 30 credit hours per year.
McConnell Family Scholarship - Awarded to a resident of WV with a demonstrated ability to succeed in college whose individual or family income is 125 percent or less of the federal poverty level. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Nicolas McCroskey Scholarship - Awarded to a deserving engineering student with strong work ethic and of good character. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 20 credit hours per year.
Billy G. Moore Scholarship - Scholarship for a student majoring in Teacher Education who has an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher and demonstrated financial need, and who is a resident of Appalachia for at least five years or of African American descent. Must complete 30 credit hours per year.
Dr. Pat Mulvey Scholarship - Awarded to member of Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society majoring in Humanities and planning to attend graduate school. A non-renewable scholarship that must be applied for each year by March 15.
June Oblinger Shott Scholarship - A scholarship awarded to a member of the Bluefield State University Baseball Team, the student must be a full-time student from Southern West Virginia or Southwest Virginia enrolled in a degree program at the institution who demonstrates academic promise, a need for financial assistance, and meets the guidelines of the Bluefield State University scholarship policy. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Martha Oblinger Scholarship - This scholarship is awarded to students from Tazewell County, Virginia with minimum GPA of 3.0 who are active in their local Christian church. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
McGhee Scholarship - Students must be a First- Generation Student, be a resident of WV and from one of the following counties; Boone, Fayette, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming. Must demonstrate a history of entrepreneurial, community service, leadership or technical skills within their community.
Neighborhood Investment Program Scholarships - Awarded to students based on financial need through a program sponsored by the West Virginia Development Office. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Pocahontas Electrical and Mechanical Institute - This professional organization makes scholarships available to students majoring in mining, civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering technology at Bluefield State University, based upon academic achievement. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Roy E. Pruett, Jr. Scholarship - Scholarship for student majoring in Electrical Engineering and who are student athletes, WV residents and with an income 125 percent or less of the federal poverty limit. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
John J. and Sheila Belcher Rinehart Scholarship - Scholarship for students in Electrical Engineering major who are WV residents with an income 125 percent or less of the federal poverty limit. Full time student maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Robinson Study Abroad Scholarship - Awarded to student who has been accepted into an established study abroad program, minimum GPA 2.5, must submit an essay on how the program will enhance their field of study.
Akhtar Safder Scholarships - Scholarships granted to mechanical engineering technology junior and senior students. Award based on financial need, performance in class, and community service. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Greg Shrewsberry Memorial Scholarship - Awarded to a graduate of Bluefield High School who demonstrates good character through participation in school and community activities. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.Taylor Family Scholarship - Available to a female student who is a mother of one or more children, whose major is Nursing or Engineering, with a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 and/or a minimum college GPA of 3.0. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Elisabeth MacClarence Testing Scholarship - Awarded to Teacher Education majors to cover the costs of SAT or ACT exams and national teacher exams required for certification (Praxis I and II). Qualified students are graduates from a high school in Mercer or contiguous county with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or better, demonstrated financial need and passing score on each test.
Laurence E. Tierney Educational Foundation - Awarded to students of Bluefield State University who have demonstrated evidence of academic or creative promise. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Nannie P. Walls Scholarship - Awarded to a student majoring in Business with a 3.0 or better GPA or higher with financial need. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Wellington Swindall - Book scholarship for minority students who show great academic promise. Must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
West Virginia Society of the District of Columbia Book Scholarship - Awarded to a freshman, legal resident of West Virginia demonstrating financial need and academic promise. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Mae Jerolee White Scholarship - Awarded to a non-traditional student in the second or subsequent year of the nursing program who is a West Virginia resident from a rural county with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or better. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better and complete 30 credit hours per year.
Mae Jerolee White BSN Scholarship - Awarded to a full-time BSN student in the second semester of the first year of the BSU BSN program, who is a WV resident with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Web Self-Service
Bluefield State University offers a Web Self-Service module which is accessed from the university portal “My BSU” Bluefield State University homepage at www.bluefieldstate.edu. Through this module, prospective students can request information about the University, get financial aid information, and link to the Federal FAFSA website to complete an application for financial aid. In addition, the most current catalog listing of courses and current class schedule can be accessed.
When students access the Web Self-Service module, individuals can apply for admission, and check the status of either an admissions or financial aid application. Enrolled students can view grades, schedules, register for classes, change addresses and phone numbers as well as pay your bill.
Through the “MyBSU” portal students will be asked to “Accept their Financial Aid for each semester along with “Accepting” the “Terms and Conditions “which provides permission to Bluefield State University to apply all aid to your student account for payment of tuition, fees, room, board and other charges that you may have on your account.
All students will be asked to set up a Refund preference for any refunds of excessive balances of aid. You may access the Refund setup under the “MyBSU” portal under student resources and then “Refund Set-up” This process is handled electronically through Bank Mobile as an Electronic funds transfer to your existing bank account or you may also set up an account with Bank Mobile.
|