Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
About the PROMISE Scholarship

What are the fees for which the PROMISE Scholarship will pay?

The PROMISE Scholarship will include funds to cover a student's mandatory fees. These are the fees that are charged to all students enrolling into a school, but not those fees that are for a specific program. One-time fees (e.g. freshman orientation) are not covered.  Scholarship covers up to 8 semesters.

I had planned to attend one school but have changed my mind and will enroll at another WV institution.  What should I do?

There is no need for students to do anything as we have provided each school a complete list of the eligible PROMISE students.

How do PROMISE and the Grant Program work together?

If your family’s EFC is $4,000 or less, you will be eligible for both programs.  PROMISE will pay for tuition and fees and the Grant program will pay for other education expenses

What are the renewal requirements for the PROMISE Scholarship?

The Scholarship will automatically be renewed by the college if the student has at least an overall 2.75 GPA at the end of the first twelve-month period on college work attempted. Thereafter a 3.00 cumulative GPA is required.

A student must complete thirty credit hours over a twelve-month period, beginning with a student’s first year on a college campus. A student may use subsequent summer sessions to complete the thirty hour requirements. NEW (November 2004) - Due to funding constraints, the PROMISE Board will not be implementing the policy of allowing students to use the scholarship for the payment of summer school classes. Any college credit (as well as the GPA for those credits) earned prior to the actual enrollment in college does not affect the student’s eligibility for renewal for the scholarship. Only those credits and grades earned while the student is a PROMISE Scholar count for purposes of determining renewal eligibility. Please remember that students who lose the PROMISE Scholarship will not be able to regain it later on.

How is PROMISE funded?

PROMISE received all its funding from the video lottery.  The Grant Program and PROMISE have two separate funding sources.  There is no connection between the two.

Can I use a PROMISE Scholarship at an out-of-state, common market school?

No. The scholarship can only be used at an in-state, accredited institution.

Can I sit out for a period of time before using the PROMISE Scholarship?

If a student is awarded the PROMISE Scholarship (a student must apply for and receive the PROMISE Scholarship while still in high school), he or she has two years in which to use the scholarship unless he or she is entering the military.

May I take a leave of absence from college without losing my PROMISE eligibility?

PROMISE Scholarship students who have an approved medical leave of absence from their college of attendance may continue their Scholarship upon return without loss of eligibility or benefit so long as the students continue to meet all applicable eligibility standards.

 

The PROMISE Board of Control is currently considering changes to the leave of absence policy.  They have recommended that no personal leaves of absence be granted.  Please contact the PROMISE Scholarship office prior to taking a leave of absence to determine the effects on your scholarship.

Students Currently in High School

What about weighted grades?

The PROMISE Scholarship program will accept the local grading policy of the individual schools. If weighted grades are used at the school, we will accept weighted grades in the determination of a student's grade point average.

Does the student need to maintain a 3.0 average in each subject, or can they have an average score of a 3.0?  What are the minimum scores needed on a standardized test?

The student needs to have an average GPA of a 3.0 in the core and overall subjects. That does not mean that the student needs to make an A or B in every course. The courses are averaged together to get the 3.0.  A student needs a composite score of 21 (with a minimum ACT sub score of 20 in all subject areas) on the ACT (on any single test date) or a combined score of 1000 (with a minimum score of 490 on the verbal section and a 480 on the math section) on the SAT (on any single test date).

Is a high school student allowed to take more than 15 college credit hours without jeopardizing their PROMISE eligibility?

Yes. A student who has yet to graduate from high school may take more than 15 college credit hours in addition to dual credit and AP classes. There is no cap on the number of college credits a student, currently enrolled in high school, may take and complete.

How do I compute the CORE grade point average?

The core GPA will be computed based on the all core courses completed by the student, not just those that are required for graduation.

What happens if a student does not have a 3.0 GPA in the core and/overall courses at the end of the 7th semester?

Those students who do not have a 3.0 GPA at the end of the seventh semester can become eligible in the eighth semester but must apply by the application deadline - March 1st of each year.

When is the last date that a student may take the ACT to be eligible to receive a PROMISE Scholarship fall 2005?

The December 2004 test date for the 2005 application year is the last time to qualify.

How do I compute the CORE grade point average?

The core GPA will be computed based on the all core courses completed by the student, not just those that are required for graduation.

What are the CORE classes that will comprise the CORE grade point average?

See "Eligibility Rules Section" of the PROMISE website for a complete list of core classes.

What happens if a student has not completed the minimum core courses (e.g., English 12) due to block scheduling and does not have a 3.0 GPA in the core courses at the end of the 7th semester?

These students will be eligible and should apply for the PROMISE Scholarship.  Since students on a traditional schedule would have taken and received credit for half a term of English 12, for example, this will allow students on block schedule to count half a term towards their GPA as well.

What happens if a student has not completed the minimum core courses (e.g., English 12) but does have a 3.0 grade point average by the 7th semester?

These students will be eligible and their application should be forwarded to the PROMISE office. The student's eligibility may be verified with the school counselor at the end of the 8th semester.

How will students be notified of their PROMISE application status?

In April, the PROMISE office will mail an award letter or denial letter to all students who applied. The denial letter will advise students of the appeals process as well as our phone number.

What is the appeals process for a student that wishes to challenge their denial of a PROMISE Scholarship?

A copy of the appeals process is on our website.  Click here to view it.

Do I need to provide a copy of the final transcript to the PROMISE Scholarship office?

You may be asked to provide a copy of the transcript (e.g., those students with a core grade point average between 3.00 and 3.30 as well as those taking the minimum core courses in the 8th semester). The PROMISE office will be in contact with the school counselor prior to the end of the 8th semester if a transcript will be requested.

What are the fees for which the PROMISE Scholarship will pay?

The PROMISE Scholarship will include funds to cover a student's mandatory fees. These are the fees that are charged to all students enrolling into a school, but not those fees that are for a specific program. One-time fees (e.g. freshman orientation) are not covered.

Do I need to work in West Virginia for a period of time if I accept a PROMISE Scholarship?

No. There is not a requirement to live in West Virginia after receiving the PROMISE Scholarship and graduating from college.

Can I sit out for a period of time before using the PROMISE Scholarship?

If a student is awarded a PROMISE Scholarship in his or her senior year a, he or she has two years in which to use the scholarship unless he or she is entering the military.  A high school student must apply for and receive the PROMISE Scholarship during their senior year in order to take advantage of the deferral process.

May I take a leave of absence from college without losing my PROMISE eligibility?

PROMISE Scholarship students who have an approved medical or personal leave of absence from their college of attendance may continue their Scholarship upon return without loss of eligibility or benefit so long as the students continue to meet all applicable eligibility standards.

How many students will actually get the PROMISE Scholarship each year-is there a quota?

The number of students who qualify will be the number of students who receive the award. Any student that qualifies will get a PROMISE Scholarship.

What if my county has not yet adopted the new high school graduation requirements? My students will only need 2 science courses to graduate, but PROMISE requires 3 to be eligible.

We will accept the local grading policy that is set forth by your school district.

What about weighted grades?

The PROMISE Scholarship program will accept the local grading policy of the individual schools. If weighted grades are used at the school, we will accept weighted grades in the determination of a student's grade point average.

Does the student need to maintain a 3.0 average in each subject, or can they have an average score of a 3.0?

The student needs to have an average GPA of a 3.0 in the core and overall subjects. That does not mean that the student needs to make an A or B in every course. The courses are averaged together to get the 3.0.

What is the PROMISE Scholarship Appeals Process?

An applicant for an initial PROMISE Scholarship award may appeal a denial of eligibility for the award. If the denial of eligibility was made by the applicant's high school the applicant must file his or her appeal at the school denying eligibility with the person designated by the school or school system to hear such appeals. Each school or school system shall designate an established procedure to hear such appeals in an expedited manner. If the denial of eligibility was made by the PROMISE Board the appeal must be filed with the Outreach Coordinator of the PROMISE Board.

Any appeal must be filed within ten (10) days of the applicant receiving notice that they are not eligible for an initial award. The appeal must detail in writing, and with specificity, the grounds supporting the appeal and a finding of eligibility. The person or persons hearing the appeal may require additional evidence or materials from the applicant or any other individual be submitted.

If the appeal is denied by a school or school system or the PROMISE Outreach Coordinator the reasons for the denial shall be communicated in writing to the applicant with an explanation of the reason for the denial. An appeal granted by a school or school system may be reviewed by the PROMISE Board and reversed if it was granted contrary to the eligibility standards set out in this rule or established by the PROMISE Board.

An applicant may appeal the denial of the appeal to the Executive Director of the PROMISE Board.

Any appeal to the Executive Director must be filed within fifteen (15) days of notification to the applicant that his or her initial appeal was denied. The appeal must be in writing and detail, with specificity, the grounds for the appeal. The Executive Director may require additional evidence or materials be submitted. If the Executive Director denies the appeal the reasons for the denial shall be communicated in writing to the applicant with an explanation of the reason for the denial.

A student granted an initial PROMISE Scholarship may appeal a non-renewal of the award. Any such appeal must be filed within fifteen (15) days of notification to the student that he or she is not eligible for renewal of the award. The appeal is to be filed with the person designated at the institution of higher education where the student is enrolled. The appeal process at the institution shall be governed by an established procedure designated by the institution.

If the appeal of the non-renewal is denied by the institution the student may appeal that decision to the Executive Director at the PROMISE Board. The appeal must be filed within fifteen (15) days of notification to the student of denial of the institutional appeal and shall be heard in the same manner as appeals of denials of initial awards.

If a student with a PROMISE Scholarship is not eligible for renewal of the award because of failure to maintain academic progress they may not utilize the procedure set out herein to challenge any grade assigned them. Challenges to grades must be brought under established institutional procedures for grade appeals. The process set out above may only be utilized to challenge the application of the eligibility requirements to the grade or grades assigned. If a student is successful on a grade appeal, and the changing of the grade makes them eligible once again for renewal, they may petition the PROMISE Board for a renewal of the award retroactively.

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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