State
of State/PROMISE Scholarships
by Governor Bob Wise
February 14, 2001
Our
passport to prosperity is education - and education is the centerpiece
of my program.
Education
is crucial to the future of our children and our state. Despite the
state's financial condition, we must make some new investments in
education. We cannot have economic development, we cannot fulfill our
other responsibilities - without first making West Virginia truly THE
education state.
My
first priority is funding for the PROMISE Scholarship Program.
This will provide each qualified student who works hard and plays
by the rules with a scholarship at one of our state colleges or
universities, or an equivalent scholarship to be used at a West Virginia
private college, technical training center or other accredited program.
This
Legislature has already passed the basic legislation that created the
PROMISE.
But
there hasn't been any money provided to keep the PROMISE.
It
has to happen. I'll tell you why.
Very
Simply: West Virginia needs
to build the kind of educated populace that is the key to participation
in the new, information-based economy. Talk, as I have, to the
executives at the High Tech Consortium in Fairmont-they will tell you
finding the qualified and educated workforce is their greatest
challenge.
In
order to do that, we must make our colleges, universities, technical
training programs and other post-secondary education programs more
accessible to our students. We need to change the expectation level of
students and parents so that each child knows, that by working hard, he
or she can, and will, get the education and training needed for a good
job.
Some
argue that needs based scholarships should get top priority.
Guess
what? I agree.
That's
why this budget, for the first time in the history of the state,
includes an additional $6 million to provide a West Virginia Higher
Education Grant to every student who qualifies.
But
that's not enough.
There
are many West Virginia families just above the income limits who aren't
eligible for assistance, yet have trouble paying for their children's
higher education.
The
son and daughters of the Boone County coal miner-the Martinsburg school
teacher-the steelworker in Weirton-the Putnam County truck driver-the
Clarksburg police officer -- need these dollars. If you work hard-you
should be able to get some help.
We've
looked at every other state program that grants aid based on
achievement. We've seen some tremendous successes - and we have noted
that there were some problems, and some growing pains. West Virginia
can, and will, learn from the experience of other states that have
established such programs in their higher education systems.
The
voters of West Virginia last November elected a governor whose number
one commitment was to make good on this promise. Every time I visit a
school, or meet with parents, they ask me if we're going to follow
through.
West
Virginia students need this opportunity and incentive. It's time to quit
talking and take action. The states we compete with are leaving us
behind.
I
am delivering to you, today, as my first legislative priority, a budget
that funds the PROMISE Scholarship for students in the fall of 2002. No
student will be left behind. If you are qualified - you will get help
from the State of West Virginia.
Ladies
and gentlemen, you made a promise. Working together we are going to KEEP
THE PROMISE!
Contact Information
Lisa DeFrank-Cole, Ed.D. ● Executive Director
PROMISE Scholarship Program, Suite 700 ● 1018 Kanawha Boulevard, E. ●
Charleston, West Virginia 25301
Telephone: 304.558.4417 ● Toll Free: 1.877.WVPROMISE ● Fax: 304.558.3264 ●
E-mail: promise@hepc.wvnet.edu
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Site maintained by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission