The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission recently unveiled its latest mission called, “West Virginia’s CLIMB.” Their goal is to equip 60% of West Virginians with a certificate or degree by 2030. This includes certificate programs, workforce training, apprenticeship programs, 2 and 4 year degree programs and military service. Currently less than one-third of West Virginians hold an associate degree or higher yet changing workforce demands require education or training beyond high school to fill positions. It is predicted that by 2020 more than half of all jobs in this state will require postsecondary credential. According to a recent report (see attachment), 97% of “good jobs” -those with median wages in the upper one-third in their occupation classification- went to people with at least a bachelor’s degree.

West Virginians, including some of our clients, may be eligible for a number of grants and scholarships that do not need to be repaid, including:

• Federal Pell Grant
• PROMISE Scholarship
• Higher Education Grant Program
• Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student Grant Program
• Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship Program
• Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program
• Nursing Scholarship Program

To learn more about West Virginia’s CLIMB please visit www.wvclimb.com.

For more information about financial aid opportunities and fact sheets for each WV county, please visit www.cfwv.com.