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Bluefield State University has a variety of Emergency Aid Programs for students. Current options available to students are listed below. For more information, please contact Financial Aid at 304-327-4020 for more information.

WV Emergency Grant Program

The 2024-2025 West Virginia Emergency Grant Program is a non-need-based grant intended to help West Virginia residents enrolled in college for the 2024-2025 academic year. The grant, if awarded, stacks with all other West Virginia state financial aid programs but, like most financial aid, is restricted by the Cost of Attendance.

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Those eligible to apply for the grant must:

  • Be a West Virginia Resident
  • Be an undergraduate student
  • Be a degree-seeking student
  • Have a 2.0 overall grade point average
  • Be enrolled in college at least half-time during the 2024-2025 academic year

The grant pays for temporary, one-time financial needs stemming from an eligible emergency situation and prevents you from enrolling in, attending, or succeeding in your courses. It does not include routine, ongoing expenses, such as a monthly car payment or regular daycare bill.

Eligible emergency situations include:

  • Food insecurity (e.g., you are unable to purchase or access food)
  • Loss or potential loss of housing (e.g., you are facing eviction, you had to move out due to an unsafe situation like a fire or domestic abuse)
  • Disruptions in transportation (e.g., your car is not running and needs repairs you can’t afford, your carpool situation ended and you need to access public transportation)
  • Disruptions in basic utility services at your residence (e.g., your electricity or water was turned off)
  • Disruptions in childcare
  • Inability to pay for an emergency medical procedure (e.g., you need to have a tooth pulled but cannot afford the medical bill)
  • Inability to resolve a registration hold with your college that is financial in nature
  • Inability to purchase required books and classroom supplies
  • Other emergency situations, as determined appropriate by your college

Yes. If you are not sure if your emergency expense is eligible, please apply anyways. Someone from your campus will reach out and help you navigate your emergency, even if the grant does not cover your needs. You can also reach out directly to the financial aid office at your campus.

Your application is the only documentation you need to submit. Your campus should not ask you for receipts or to provide evidence of the emergency other than your signed application.

A student may only receive one grant from this program. If you apply and are denied, you can apply again. If you have been approved for and received a grant in the past, you may not apply again.

The grant is intended to cover one-time, short-term expenses, not ongoing expenses. Your other financial aid, such as the Federal Pell Grant and student loans, can be used to cover more ongoing expenses.

This money is considered financial aid, not income.  However, in some instances, financial aid is taxable. Consult IRS instructions or a tax expert to determine if you have to pay taxes on this.

Contact the person at your campus who approved your grant for instructions.

No. Funds are only available to students attending a public institution of higher education during the 2024-2025 academic year.

Funding was approved by Governor Justice and the West Virginia Legislature to help West Virginia students.

Ascendium Emergency Grant Program

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