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Eleven of 23 public and private colleges in West Virginia are considered
unaffordable for low-income students, according to an independent study
released by the Lumina Foundation for Education.
The study found West Virginia University, Glenville State College, West
Virginia State College and Concord College too expensive for low-income
students, using a formula that balances tuition, fee costs, financial aid and
student loan options.
The new PROMISE scholarship program is expected to impact affordability.
The scholarship pays tuition and fees for West Virginia high school students
who maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average and earn at least 21 ACT
score or 1,000 combined SAT score. Applications must be in by the end of
January, 2002. Other students who do not excel will face significant
financial barriers.
West Virginia University was also found unaffordable for middle-income
students.
Mountain State College in Parkersburg was the only private institution
declared affordable for low-income students. Colleges like Bethany and
Wheeling Jesuit were not only found unaffordable, but were deemed
"inadmissible" for West Virginia students. | 
