Access Scholarship

Fairmont State’s Access Scholarship is a tuition-free guarantee for eligible West Virginia high school graduates, transfer students as well as former Fairmont State students who wish to complete their degree who reside in West Virginia. The award is designed to increase access to high quality, low cost, and higher education in their home state. Fairmont State promises to cover the remaining tuition and mandatory fee costs following the application of all federal and state grant aid. The scholarship seeks to support West Virgina residents to reach the fullest heights of their personal and career potential.

• Be a West Virginia resident or a graduate of a West Virginia high school
• Have a household income of $70,000 or less
• Apply and be admitted to Fairmont State by June 15
• Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by June 15
• Be enrolled full-time

If a student is in their last semester before graduating and enrolled part-time, funding may be prorated for less than full-time degree pursuant hours.

If you meet the requirements above, you will automatically be considered for the Access Scholarship.

If you have not applied, you may apply to Fairmont State here (it’s free, quick and easy).

Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by June 15, 2025 

This is a last-dollar-in program, meaning the dollar amount will be determined by how much the student owes for University Tuition and Mandatory Fees, charges after scholarships and grants such as the Federal Pell Grant , the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), all West Virginia Grant and Scholarship Programs, and other institutional scholarships pay toward their University Tuition and Mandatory Fees for the fall and spring semesters

Billable costs that are program-specific and/or are charged in addition to standard University fees are not covered. This would include charges such as meal plans, residence halls, lab fees, music lesson fees, Student Support fees, New Student Orientation fee, textbooks, materials and instruments, computer costs, and student health insurance

However, other aid may be available to assist with these expenses. Submitting your FAFSA will ensure you are considered for other financial aid such as grants, scholarships, Federal Work-Study, and federal loans.

Students receiving the Fairmont State Access Scholarship must meet the following criteria to continue to be eligible for the Fairmont State Access Scholarship for the next aid year:

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress for financial aid.
• Submit a valid FAFSA by July 15 for the applicable aid year.
• Have eligible costs remain not covered by other aid, as defined by last-dollar-in criteria.
• Maintain enrollment requirements.
• Be admitted as a WV resident.
• Be admitted as a degree-seeking undergraduate student.
  • Have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree.