Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Tuition and Fees
Margaret M. Alia and Family Continuing Education Endowment: The Margaret M. Alia and Family Continuing Education Endowment was created by Shepherd alumna Margaret M. Alia ’64 and her siblings, Phyllis Alia Greely and Patrick Alia. The scholarship will support Shepherd students pursing a Master of Arts in Teaching or a Master of Education in Educational Leadership (focus on curriculum and instruction). Margaret served as a special education resource teacher for 34 years until she retired in 1998. During her lifetime, she pursued numerous charitable endeavors, which inspired her family to create a named fund in support of her alma mater. She passed away in 2023. The first scholarship will be awarded for the fall 2025 semester.
Hazel Ruby McQuain Graduate Scholarship: The Hazel Ruby McQuain Graduate Scholarship is designed to financially support outstanding West Virginia residents to pursue and complete a graduate degree from a West Virginia institution of higher education.
Federal Teacher Education Assistance For College And Higher Education (TEACH) Grant: Through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, Congress created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program that provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families.
IMPORTANT: If you fail to complete this service obligation, all amounts of TEACH Grants that you received will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. You must then repay this loan to the U.S. Department of Education. You will be charged interest from the date the grant was disbursed.
McMurran Scholars Association Scholarship: The McMurran Scholars Association Scholarship is funded through private donations made through the Shepherd University Foundation. The award was established in 2011 by the McMurran Scholars Association as part of the celebration of the 50th class of McMurran Scholars. Each recipient must be a McMurran Scholar and be attending Shepherd University as a graduate student (full or part-time). For more information, please visit the McMurran Scholars Award webpage.
Private scholarships are awarded by other agencies, such as businesses, churches, foundations, etc., and an online application may be completed. Notify the Office of Financial Aid of any scholarship that you receive from a private source. Be aware of Scholarship Scams! If you detect Scholarship Fraud, contact the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Divisions of the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office at 304-558-8986 or 1-800-368-8808.
Underwood-Smith Teacher Loan Assistance Program
Before receiving an award, each eligible teacher will enter into an agreement to teach full-time in a public school in West Virginia in a subject area or geographic area of critical need under contract with a county board for a period of two school years for each year for which loan assistance is received. Each award recipient is eligible to receive loan assistance of up to $3,000 annually. Please visit the website for complete information.
Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP)
The Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP) provides financial assistance to students receiving education or training in a direct or indirect health-care services discipline (Title 38 and Hybrid Title 38 occupations); and assists in providing an adequate supply of such personnel for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). HPSP helps the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) meet its need for qualified health care professionals for which recruitment or retention is difficult. Scholarships are determined and published for VHA workforce needs.
Nurse Practitioner (NP) Mental Health *Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP) only.