17-Year-Old Charged with Drug Possession and Intent to Sell

My question involves criminal law for the state of: West Virginia

Hello a 17 year old friend of mine is being charged with Drug Possession and Intent to Sell in West Virginia, though he resides in a bordering state so they are charging him with intent to bring across state borders. There was drug paraphenalia, not much marijuana, a scale, and an opened bottle of alcohol in his car when they searched it. Though he was not drinking and driving, the officers did not suspect him of it. It is his first offense and he has plans to go to college and is a great student, but he just made one mistake. If the trial is not until after he turns 18, will he be charged as a juvenile or adult? And the main concern is, will he be able to go to college and receive financial aid (he is relying solely on that and scholarships) if he is convicted? Also, what is the most likely outcome of a trial such as this in terms of consequences? He understands he has to get a lawyer after the official documents are received, but he wanted me to ask this for peace of mind. Thank you.

When the trial is held is immaterial. The prosecutor has the option to try to get the case transferred to criminal (adult) court. It's not mandatory that this case be tried as an adult.
Either way this is VERY serious. He needs a lawyer.

He can expect that a lot of financial aid is going to be closed off to him if he has this drug conviction. You can also bet it won't look too good on his college applications.

He should have thought about how being involved with drugs was going to affect his future Before he got involved with them. What he had with him was not just a mistake.