Financial Aid
Net Price Calculator The purpose of the calculator is to help current and prospective students, families, and other consumers estimate the individual net price of an institution of higher education for a student. The calculator shall be developed in a manner that enables current and prospective students, families, and consumers to determine an estimate of a current or prospective student's individual net price at a particular institution.
Federal Financial Aid for JRTI post-secondary students is administered through the Office of Student Services. Potential students who wish to apply should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is not necessary to pay for this process, although some agencies will encourage you to pay them to do it for you.
The first task is to apply for a PIN number for the student (and also for the parent, if the student is considered dependent by federal definition-see section 2 on the form). The PIN number(s) will be used as an electronic signature when you submit your completed FAFSA.
Once you have received your PIN number(s) by e-mail (be careful if you have a spam blocker), you are ready to complete the application. While it may seem overwhelming, it is broken down into steps and contains many “checks” that will let you know if you’re doing something wrong. More information can also be found at www.studentaid.ed.gov .
You will need your completed tax forms from the prior tax year to answer the questions on the FAFSA. Therefore, you cannot complete the FAFSA before January 1 of the year in which you hope to be awarded aid. If you have not yet completed your taxes, you may use estimates, but you must go in and change them to actual numbers once the tax forms are completed. You will also need to provide the federal school code for JRTI, which is 008-355.
After submitting your signed FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) which will tell you what the federal government feels your family should be able to contribute toward your JRTI education (Expected family contribution or EFC). This information is usually sent to you and to the school within one to two weeks. It will also tell you what (if any) action you need to take to complete the process. Upon receipt of this information, contact Donna Lemaster in the Office of Student Services at (304) 754-7925 or dlemaste@access.k12.wv.us to make an appointment, provided you are definitely enrolling in a James Rumsey program.
We participate in the federal Pell grant program, which is need-based federal aid that does not require repayment provided the program is completed satisfactorily. This grant is for full-year programs, which includes all current JRTI programs except Truck Driving and night classes (students in those programs should ask about the HEAPS grant). Students who are eligible for Pell will need to meet with the Coordinator of Student Services to complete the necessary paperwork in order to claim their grant.
Students must understand that they may only receive federal aid through one institution in any given semester. You will be asked to sign an agreement stating that you will repay the money if your grades or attendance do not meet satisfactory standards. Students who receive Pell awards will have one half of the total award credited to their JRTI account at the beginning of first semester and the remaining half at the beginning of second semester. The amount disbursed will be applied toward your tuition first. If it does not cover the entire amount, you will be expected to pay the remainder before the first day of classes. If it covers the tuition and there is money left over, you will have the opportunity to request that it be used for books, tools, uniforms, etc. Any student who still has money in their account after all of these expenditures will receive a check for the balance after he/she successfully completes 60% of the semester.
James Rumsey is a small facility and which provides certificate rather than degree programs. Therefore we are not authorized to administer federal student loans or state financial aid programs (such as PROMISE scholarships or the WVHEG grant).
Students who are interested in pursuing loans will need to meet directly with a private lender. We do not recommend any loan companies, but encourage you to check some of the local lenders (hometown banks or credit unions) as well as the larger ones. While exploring options, it is in the students' best interest to make it clear to the loan representative that they are seeking only loans that can be directly between the student and the lender, and not administered by the school. This will save the frustration that occurs from beginning the paperwork process on government loans, only to find out that James Rumsey is not on the approved list for them.
State Financial Aid such as the PROMISE Scholarship and the WV Higher Education Grant can be administered only by degree-granting colleges therefore students who qualify for this aid are not able to claim it while attending JRTI.
Other state aid is available to many students through various offices in their home state. Examples include:
Students with disabilities may be eligible for funding through the state's rehabilitation services office. In West Virginia, the telephone number is (304) 267-0005.
Veterans of the Armed Services can check with their local veteran's office to see if they are eligible for educational funds. In West Virginia, the number is (304)263-6776. This aid may be state or federal.
The local employment office should be able to tell you if your chosen field is eligible for Workforce Investment Act funding. This program is designed to encourage students to be trained in fields where there is a great need for more workers. In West Virginia, the phone number is (304)-267-9675.
Students who were laid off because their employer closed and took the jobs out of the country may be eligible for Trade Adjustment Act funding. Employees at eligible companies are typically contacted by a representative before the closing occurs.
Local Scholarships are available from James Rumsey Technical Institute and many local agencies. Due dates may be as early as March 15 or as late as July 15, so inquire early.
For an overview: JRTI Scholarship Opportunities
For an application: JRTI Scholarship Application & Reference Forms
Scholarships
James Rumsey has provided students with several opportunities to receive scholarships. The following link will open a separate document that highlights the number of scholarships that are available to students. Please review the document and determine for which you are eligible. Complete the application and reference forms, mail to Ms. Donna Lemaster. Please pay attention to the deadlines. All forms can be viewed using Adobe Reader, which is a free download. The application is designed to be filled out online and then printed on your default printer.
