Scholarship Advice: "Don't Limit Yourself; Just Apply and Go for It"

Apply for any scholarship for which you think you may be eligible, advises Cynthia Hudok, Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships for Fairmont State University.

“Don’t limit yourself,” she said. “You just apply and go for it and put your name out there.”

Hudok said there are two keys to a successful scholarship application: apply early and make sure all of your information is filled out correctly.

“So many times we receive an application that is not complete and then we can’t award the students, and that is a situation we would like to avoid,” she said.

Each year FSU has more than $3 million budgeted for scholarships. Most of these scholarships are awarded to more than one student and have a different set of criteria, depending on the background of the scholarship. All scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted, so applying early means less of a chance on missing out on available funds.

“It’s never too early to start looking for scholarship opportunities. High school juniors and their families should start watching scholarship criteria, and students should take notes on their accomplishments and awards in high school to help them later on when they are filling out scholarship applications,” said Amie Fazalare, Director of Recruitment and Admissions. “Participating in community service activities shows that students are developing leadership skills.”

Admission scholarships require the student’s credentials, a high school transcript and an application. The deadline for admission scholarships is December 15. Other scholarships, specifically the scholarship packet for all of the general institutional and Fairmont State Foundation scholarships, aren’t due until the first Monday in February.

More information about scholarships may be found online by clicking here.

Financial Aid Timeline

December — To be eligible for an Admissions Scholarship, you must have a completed admission file by December 15. To be eligible for others, you must complete a scholarship application.

January — Complete the FAFSA and include the FSU school code – 003812. Submit the FAFSA to the federal processor by March 1 for priority consideration for need-based aid.  Applications received after March 1 will be considered for Federal Pell Grants and Federal Direct loans only.  FAFSA on the web is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The January test date is the last opportunity to take the SAT for PROMISE scholarship consideration (West Virginia student only).

February — The first Monday in February is the priority consideration deadline for the Departmental and Foundation Scholarship Application. First letter requesting verification documents mailed (ongoing).

March — Submit the FAFSA to the federal processor by March 1 for priority consideration for need-based aid. Spring Campus Visitation Day is held in late March. Financial aid award letters are sent by postal mail and/or e-mail to FSU.

April — Notifications of West Virginia Higher Education Grants & Promise Scholarships are mailed from the respective agencies (West Virginia students only). Financial aid award letters continue to be sent by postal mail and/or e-mail to FSU  applicants. West Virginia Higher Education Grant Award Letter mailings from Higher Education Policy Commission (West Virginia students only).

May / June — Promissory notes for all accepted loans can be completed, as well as Entrance Counseling. Notifications are sent to students’ FSU e-mail accounts if aid packages are revised. On-campus Orientation Days begin. The June test date is the last opportunity to take the ACT for PROMISE Scholarship consideration (West Virginia students only). FAFSA4caster available.

July — Student invoices for the fall term are available online at https://epay.fairmontstate.edu. The first payment in the Financial Installment Plan Service (FIPS) is due. On-campus Orientation Days continue.

August — Payment for fall term is due before the first day of classes. The second payment in the (FIPS) payment plan is due. Financial aid disbursed approximately 10 days prior to beginning of classes, refunds mailed, and classes begin. On-campus Orientation Days continue.

Fairmont StateOffice of Financial AidOffice of Admissions and RecruitmentscholarshipsAmie FazalareCynthia Hudok