Educators, state lawmaker, discuss higher education in midst of FAFSA crisis
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — Delays in federal student aid have left millions of American families wondering how they’ll afford college.
One local school superintendent said on Thursday, May 23, 2024, that his district was seeing the effect on students.
“It creates a burden on those students, sometimes, and on their families, where they begin to look at, do we need to have a gap year, or maybe need to look another option, other than attending higher education,” said Fayette County Schools Superintendent Gary Hough.
The website educationdata.org ranks West Virginia number 38th in terms of how much education costs. The average cost to attend a four-year public university is about $19,000 dollars a year, with room and board.
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West Virginia has one of the lowest median incomes in the nation, and WalletHub ranks the state as the least educated.
The recent FAFSA crisis prompted state lawmakers to pass a bill during the last special session called by Gov. Jim Justice, giving $83 million dollars in financial aid to college students. Fifty one million is to fund grants, which is money students won’t have to pay back.
Del. Brandon Steele (R-Raleigh) stated “While we did not create the problem, the Legislature and the governor came together quickly and found a solution. While minor disagreements always occur in lawmaking, I am thankful that the priority of taking care of the people of West Virginia won the day.”
Dr. T. Ramon Stuart, president of WVU-Tech in Beckley, said questions about federal aid can discourage some students to not even apply for college.
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He said the move by state lawmakers can show students a clear path forward.
“Now, those questions that brought forth ambiguity, there’s a bit more clarity, now,” said Dr. Stuart. “I think that clarity should lead to positive enrollment trends, not only at Tech but throughout West Virginia higher education.”
Stuart recently announced a Southern West Virginia Success program, in response to the FAFSA crisis.
Under the program, all students in 13 southern West Virginia counties who have a 2.5 GPA or higher are guaranteed admission to WVU-Tech.
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