dbeard@dominionpost.com
MORGANTOWN – WVU’s first-time freshman enrollment is up over this time last year, and the university has launched a new financial aid program to keep the numbers up and growing.
Interim Vice President of Enrollment Management Steve Hahn introduced the new program – called WVU Guarantee – and explained the numbers to the Faculty Senate on Monday.
WVU Guarantee is open to resident undergraduate students at all three campuses – Morgantown, WVU Tech and Potomac State College – whose family adjusted gross income is $65,000 or less. Students must complete the annual FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
The program is “last dollar in,” meaning it supplements other financial aid: scholarships and federal aid (including federal loans, according to the program FAQ page). It will cover all remaining tuition and fees.
“We will complete their funding to make sure that they have coverage of tuition and university fees until they graduate,” Hahn said.
For the fall 2025 program kickoff, students must complete their FAFSA by Aug. 1. Upon admission, students are automatically evaluated for eligibility in WVU Guarantee and no further action is necessary – including waiting for the federal response to the FAFSA giving the family estimated contribution.
WVU noted in a program announcement that should a student’s family AGI rise above the $65,000 threshold after their initial enrollment as an undergraduate, WVU will continue to honor the program’s benefits.
On the topic of enrollment, Hahn told the faculty senators that first-time freshman applications are up 16.2% over last year – more than 2,551 applications over last year. Admissions are up by 1,176students. Graduate and professional program admissions are also up.
Hahn said that WVU is still in the middle of admission season so there’s another month or two to unfold in terms of admissions. “We’re very interested in watching where this will go, but the signs are encouraging for next year’s class.”
Hahn several times used the jargon term “yield,” which is when a student responds to recruitment by enrolling. His office is preparing a faculty tool kit for enrollment and he praised the faculty for their efforts.
“I can honestly say that at no place where I have worked before have I seen faculty so personally invested in the recruitment and especially yield of our students.” When faculty meets with a student the chances of yielding the student increase by 10%.
