Applications for West Virginia's Promise Scholarship will be available starting Monday.
The merit-based financial aid program, which covers up to $4,750 in tuition and fees, is awarded to eligible high school graduates. The application is available until March 1, the same day students must turn in their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA.
While receiving the scholarship requires meeting academic benchmarks, one higher education official said eligibility should not keep a student from applying.
"Basically, if you are a high school student in West Virginia, apply," said Brian Weingart, director of financial aide for the state Higher Education Policy Commission.
To receive the scholarship, students must complete core classes and graduate from a public or private school in West Virginia with at least a 3.0 grade point average, or whatever their county school board considers a "B."
They must also earn a 22 composite score on the American College Test (ACT) with a minimum of 20 in English, math, science and reading. Should they choose to take the SAT, students must earn a combined score of 1020 with minimum scores of 480 and 490 in math and critical reading, respectively.
Starting in March, a new SAT will be offered and new requirements for that test will not be known until more testing information is available. First-year students attending college this fall can use either the old or new SAT test to become eligible for the Promise during the transition, Weingart said.
Taking those tests early is important, Weingart added, and applying for the Promise regardless of current academic standing even more so.
"Apply even if you don't think you're eligible," he said. "You have until June to take the tests and qualify and you could raise your grades by then and end of being considered."
The last ACT and SAT test dates to qualify for the Promise are June 11 and June 4, respectively.
Eligible students who fail to meet deadlines for the fall semester can still receive the scholarship, Weingart said, but they won't receive awards until the spring semester.
Students who decide to go into the military after high school can defer using their awards for seven years.
The Promise was created in 2002 by then-Gov. Bob Wise.
At first, the scholarship covered the full cost of attending college. After years of rising tuition costs and an award cap, the Promise now only covers about 80 percent.
In 2002, when the scholarship was created, the average tuition in West Virginia was $2,868. It's now more than $6,000.
Also, in 2009, the Legislature voted to cap Promise at $4,750 to make sure the program could remain adequately funded.
While it provides a free ride like it was intended to, Promise has been spared further reductions over the years even as the state has reduced spending on higher education.
In a meeting Tuesday with Gazette-Mail editors, Higher Education Policy Commission Chancellor Paul Hill said the scholarship shouldn't be faced with any changes for several years as long as funding remains the same. However, Promise funds could become strapped in the next decade when the number of high school graduates is expected to increase, Hill said.
The scholarship is used as a tool to improve education in West Virginia and keep students here once they finish school. About 60 percent of Promise recipients remain in the state after graduating high school, according to Higher Education Policy Commission data.
Promise does have some restrictions. Current college students cannot apply. The award cannot be used to attend an out-of-state college.
The Promise is awarded to every eligible student. Turning in a completed FAFSA also is a requirement for receiving the scholarship.
Weingart said students and family members can contact his office or the College Foundation of West Virginia if they have questions about Promise, other merit- and need-based scholarships or how to fill out the FAFSA. Information about financial aid in West Virginia can be found at www.cfwv.com.
Reach Samuel Speciale at sam.speciale@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-7939 or follow @samueljspeciale on Twitter.