In short
West Virginians can train at nine public community and technical colleges - including BridgeValley CTC near Charleston, Mountwest CTC in Huntington, and New River CTC in Beckley. The WV Invests Grant can cover tuition and required fees for eligible certificate and associate programs if you live in West Virginia and agree to stay two years afterward. Most programs take about one to two years. One honest note: pay for many trades here runs below the national median, so check local numbers. Fill out the form to hear from schools near you.
Where to train in West Virginia
West Virginia has nine public community and technical colleges with about 20 satellite campuses, so training is usually close to home. These three serve the bigger population centers:
BridgeValley Community and Technical College
Campus in South Charleston (near Charleston) plus a Montgomery campus. It teaches engineering technology, electrical line worker, nursing and allied health, and hands-on technology programs, alongside certificate and short-term training. A main option for the Kanawha Valley.
New River Community and Technical College
Based in Beckley with several other campuses across southern West Virginia. It offers associate degrees and short certificates, with industrial maintenance and welding training that fits the region's energy and manufacturing employers.
Mountwest Community and Technical College
One of the state's nine colleges, serving the Huntington area. Part of the same state system, so the WV Invests Grant rules and transfer agreements apply the same way.
The other colleges in the system - Blue Ridge, Eastern WV, Pierpont, Southern WV, WV Northern, and WVU Parkersburg - cover the rest of the state. We don't list every school and schools are not ranked. Tell us your ZIP code and what you want to do, and we'll match you with programs near you.
What West Virginia will help pay
West Virginia money for training
- WV Invests Grant
- A state grant that covers tuition and mandatory fees - and, at two-year colleges, approved program fees - for select certificate and associate-degree programs in high-demand fields. It works as a "last dollar" award, filling the gap after other grants and scholarships.
- Who qualifies
- You must be a West Virginia resident for at least a year, a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, a high school graduate or equivalency holder, and not already hold a bachelor's degree. You enroll in at least 6 credit hours and do two hours of community service each term.
- The obligation
- You agree to live in West Virginia for two years after you drop below part-time enrollment. Meet that, and the grant does not need to be repaid.
- How to apply
- Complete the FAFSA and the WV Invests Grant application every year. There's a priority deadline of April 15 for the coming academic year.
- Pell Grant
- Federal money for lower-income students, up to about $7,400 a year, not repaid. File the FAFSA at studentaid.gov - free.
- GI Bill
- For veterans, covers most schools, CDL programs, and apprenticeships.
Sources: West Virginia Community and Technical College System and CFWV (WV Invests Grant); West Virginia Code §18C-9-5; Federal Student Aid. Amounts and rules change; confirm with the school's financial aid office.
The honest part: local pay
Licensing and certification
Some trades in West Virginia require a state credential before you can work. Plumbers, for example, must hold one of three state certifications - Master, Journeyman, or Plumber-in-Training - and larger jobs also require a licensed contractor. As in other states, HVAC techs need the federal EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerant. Your school will build the right credentials into the program; ask what you'll graduate with.
No GED yet?
West Virginia's GED has four subjects, and there's no residency requirement to test here - though if you test in West Virginia, that's the state that issues your diploma. You'll need to pass the official practice test before registering, and your adult education instructor will help you schedule. Call the WV Adult Education Hotline at 800-642-2670 for classes and next steps, or see our GED page.
Find West Virginia schools that fit you.
Tell us what you want to do and where you are. Schools near you that teach it reach out.
Questions from West Virginia
Is WV Invests really tuition-free?
For eligible programs, yes - it covers tuition and mandatory fees as a last-dollar grant after your other aid. You still have to qualify, apply, and agree to live in West Virginia for two years after you leave the program. Confirm with the college that your specific program is on the eligible list.
Which programs does WV Invests cover?
The West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education approves the list each year, giving priority to certificate and associate programs in high-demand fields like healthcare and information technology. Ask the college's financial aid office whether your program qualifies.
I already have a college degree. Can I still get WV Invests?
Generally no - the grant is limited to students who don't already hold a bachelor's degree, with a narrow exception for certain emergency-medical-services programs. Ask the college if your situation fits that exception.
Can I train while keeping my job?
Often yes. You need at least 6 credit hours a term for the grant, and many colleges offer evening and part-time options. It may take longer than the full-time schedule, but the grant still applies.
What if I can't decide what to train for?
Pick "Not sure yet" on the form. The community and technical colleges offer a wide range of programs, and reading two or three of our career pages will help you narrow it down before you commit.