Pursuing a higher education is a financially daunting task for many West Virginia students. Yes, there are lot of avenues for getting financial assistance, but the process seems complicated — sometimes to the point of leading students and their families to give up.

Certainly the federal government hasn’t helped in recent years with its gyrations regarding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, but there are plenty of people willing to help students navigate the system.

West Virginia FAFSA Day is Feb. 6. It is a partnership of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, the West Virginia Community and Technical College System, College for West Virginia, West Virginia GEAR UP and West Virginia TRIO Association.

“This initiative aims to heighten awareness surrounding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), underscoring its significance for both high school seniors and returning college students,” reads the event’s website. “Given the essential nature of FAFSA completion, the West Virginia FAFSA Day seeks to emphasize the FAFSA’s significance for accessing federal, state-sponsored, and collegiate financial aid programs.”

Schools across the state – including West Virginia University in Morgantown — will be hosting their own FAFSA Day workshops to help with the application process for the 2025-26 academic year. That deadline is April 14.

“We understand that filling out the FAFSA can be difficult and sometimes confusing for students and their families,” said Heather Skidmore, director of the Office of Financial Aid at West Virginia University at Parkersburg.“We are hoping that scheduling these workshops on various days and times allows everyone the opportunity to come in and get help with their FAFSA, ask questions about their financial aid, whatever they need!”

Students and their families who may have been intimidated by the FAFSA process must not hesitate to take advantage of this kind of support. A properly submitted FAFSA can be the gateway to achieving higher education goals that might not otherwise have been possible. Don’t miss out.