PROMISE
Policies
Legislation of Interest:
SB
532:
Approval of the PROMISE Legislative Rule
SB
207:
Provides for “stacking” of the PROMISE Scholarship with the
WV Higher Education Grant Program under certain conditions.
A student who meets the eligibility criteria for both programs
must have an expected family contribution equal to or less than two
thirds of the maximum family contribution level in the recipient pool of
the prior fall term.
HB
4534:
Creates the
HB
4661:
A student that commutes on a daily basis to an out-of-state
private school and meets all other conditions of eligibility will not be
deemed ineligible for state funded financial aid.
Other
than the above referenced bills, there were no changes made to the
PROMISE Scholarship Program.
Board Policy # 1, Adopted August 28 2001, amended September 14 2001, September 21 2001.
In accordance with Section 5.1 of the Emergency Legislative Rule, the PROMISE Board defines the minimum core requirements [all core courses taken by the student will count towards the core grade point average] as the "ACT defined recommended college core courses":
- English/Language Arts-(4 credits)
- One year credit each for English 9, English 10, English 11,
English 12.
- One year credit each for English 9, English 10, English 11,
English 12.
- Mathematics-(3 credits)
- Two of the three credits must be in Algebra 1 or above.
- Two of the three credits must be in Algebra 1 or above.
- Social Sciences-(3 credits)
- One credit each for American History (United States History to
(1900), World History (World Studies to 1900), American
Government (Twentieth Century).
- One credit each for American History (United States History to
(1900), World History (World Studies to 1900), American
Government (Twentieth Century).
- Natural Sciences-(3 credits)
- One credit each for Coordinated and Thematic Science 9 (CATS
9), Coordinated and Thematic Science 10 (CATS 10) and one course
above Coordinated Thematic Science 10 (CATS 10). Biology,
Chemistry, Physics or other approved coursework by the high
school may substitute for Coordinated and Thematic Science 9
(CATS 9) or Coordinated and Thematic Science 10 (CATS 10).
- One credit each for Coordinated and Thematic Science 9 (CATS
9), Coordinated and Thematic Science 10 (CATS 10) and one course
above Coordinated Thematic Science 10 (CATS 10). Biology,
Chemistry, Physics or other approved coursework by the high
school may substitute for Coordinated and Thematic Science 9
(CATS 9) or Coordinated and Thematic Science 10 (CATS 10).
Board Policy # 2, Adopted August 28 2001, amended September 14 2001, October 7 2003
Effective October 7, 2003, in accordance with Section 5.1.2.1., the PROMISE Board designates a minimum composite score of 21 on the ACT with at least a minimum sub-score of 19 in each of the subject areas (reading, math, science, english) or a combined score of 1000 on the SAT with at least a score of 470 on the verbal section and 460 on the math section as part of the eligibility requirements for a PROMISE Scholarship.
Effective July 1, 2004, the PROMISE Board designates a minimum composite score of 21 on the ACT with at least a minimum sub score of 20 in each of the subject areas (reading, math, science, english) or a combined score of 1000 on the SAT with at least a score of 490 on the verbal section and 480 on the math subsection as part of the eligibility requirements for a PROMISE Scholarship.
Board Policy # 3, Adopted September 14 2001.
The use of weighted grades will be allowed in the computation of a student's grade point average for the purpose in determining PROMISE eligibility.
Board Policy # 4, Adopted September 14 2001.
The grade point average, as specified in section 5.1.2.of the PROMISE Legislative rule, will be determined by the appropriate school official at the end of the 7th semester. If a student's cumulative grade point average falls below 3.00 at the end of the 8th semester, the student will be ineligible for a PROMISE award.
Board Policy # 5, Adopted September 14 2001.
A student who has established PROMISE eligibility, but who chooses to enroll in an out-of-state institution, may reestablish eligibility as long as the student has completed fewer than 16 credit hours at the out-of-state institution and who otherwise meets the PROMISE eligibility requirements. However, once a student begins utilizing the PROMISE scholarship, this policy no longer applies.
Board Policy # 6, Adopted October 16 2001.
To be eligible for the renewal of a PROMISE Scholarship, a student must have earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; provided, however, that for the first year a PROMISE award is received, the applicant may be eligible for renewal if he or she has earned at least a 2.75 GPA. Thereafter, a cumulative GPA of no less than 3.0 is required for the renewal of a Scholarship.
Board Policy # 7, Adopted October 16 2001.
A PROMISE Scholarship student must be enrolled for and complete a minimum of 30 credit hours in a twelve month period and meet the institution's academic progress requirements.
Board Policy # 8, Adopted October 16 2001.
At this time, PROMISE Scholarship recipients will not be required repay the amount of their scholarship, in whole or in part, if they choose to work outside the state after graduation.
Board Policy #9, Adopted January 25 2002.
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.
NEW - FALL 2004
Addendum to Board Policy 9
Leave of Absence Policies
- Personal Leave
The PROMISE Board does not wish to grant personal leaves of absence for any reason.
- Medical Leave
If a student receives a medical leave of absence from the institution in which s/he is enrolled, the student will not be required to pay back any PROMISE Scholarship funds disbursed on his/her behalf during the term of the leave. The student will also not be required to complete the mandated amount of credits for the academic term for which medical leave is granted in order to retain PROMISE eligibility. The student will have a maximum eight semesters of eligibility if pursuing a baccalaureate degree or maximum of four semesters if pursuing an associate’s degree; a semester of eligibility will be reduced for the term on medical leave if the leave was granted after payment was made to the institution. In an effort to further assist students, an institution will have the opportunity to allow a scholar to “buy back” the term in which the scholarship was disbursed, but was not completed academically. In this scenario, a student may pay back the institution the amount that was given from the PROMISE program in order for it to appear that the student did not attend that term. The money paid back to the institution would be recouped by the PROMISE program.
The student would be deemed eligible to renew in one of the following ways: 1. if the student has previously finished two terms and is eligible to renew, s/he may do so for the upcoming term or, 2. if the student has completed only one term towards the current year’s award, then the one term completed and the subsequent semester after the leave would be used to determine renewal criteria. 3. If a student does not complete the first term of the award, he or she would be deemed eligible based on the upcoming two terms of receiving PROMISE funding. If a student takes classes at his/her own expense, those too, will be included in assessing eligibility. These classes may have been taken during a summer term, for example, or while on leave. An internet class may be an example in this scenario.
- Family Medical Leave or Bereavement Leave
If a student needs to take time off from college due to the medical care of, or death of an immediate family member, the PROMISE Scholarship will be suspended until the following semester. The student will have a maximum eight semesters of eligibility if pursuing a baccalaureate degree or maximum of four semesters if pursuing an associate’s degree; a semester of eligibility will be reduced for the term on medical leave if the leave was granted after payment was made to the institution. In an effort to further assist students, an institution will have the opportunity to allow a scholar to “buy back” the term in which the scholarship was disbursed, but was not completed academically. In this scenario, a student may pay back the institution the amount that was given from the PROMISE program in order for it to appear that the student did not attend that term. The money paid back to the institution would be recouped by the PROMISE program.
The student would be deemed eligible to renew in one of the following ways: 1. if the student has previously finished two terms and is eligible to renew, s/he may do so for the upcoming term or, 2. if the student has completed only one term towards the current year’s award, then the one term completed and the subsequent semester after the leave would be used to determine renewal criteria. 3. If a student does not complete the first term of the award, he or she would be deemed eligible based on the upcoming two terms of receiving PROMISE funding. If a student takes classes at his/her own expense, those too, will be included in assessing eligibility. These classes may have been taken during a summer term, for example, or while on leave.
- Military Leave
A student may defer their Scholarship for up to seven years if entering military service. If a student is called to duty while attending college, the PROMISE Scholarship will be put on hold during that time. If it is the case that a student must withdraw mid-term, the student will not be penalized and not need to pay back the award amount. The student will have a maximum eight semesters of eligibility if pursuing a baccalaureate degree or maximum of four semesters if pursuing an associate’s degree and a semester of eligibility will not be reduced for the term on military leave even if the leave was granted after payment was made to the institution. The student would be deemed eligible to renew in one of the following ways: 1. if the student has previously finished two terms and is eligible to renew, s/he may do so for the upcoming term or, 2. if the student has completed only one term towards the current year’s award, then the one term completed and the subsequent semester after the leave would be used to determine renewal criteria. 3. If a student does not complete the first term of the award, he or she would be deemed eligible based on the upcoming two terms of receiving PROMISE funding. If a student takes classes at his/her own expense, those too, will be included in assessing eligibility. These classes may have been taken during a summer term, for example, or while on leave.
- Other Unforeseen Leave
If there is any other unforeseen leave possibility that cannot be put into policy at this time, the director, at her discretion, of the PROMISE Scholarship program has the authority to approve in conjunction with the college or university.
Board Policy #10, Adopted January 25 2002.
Qualified students who graduate mid-year and are certified to have fulfilled their high school graduation requirements, will be eligible for a PROMISE Scholarship award in the spring semester following graduation. If a qualified student intends to graduate mid-year and wants to be awarded a PROMISE Scholarship for use at the beginning of the next spring semester, they should:
- File the most current FAFSA with the Federal Processing Center by October 1 and file the succeeding year's FAFSA with the Federal Processing Center by March 1;
- Complete the PROMISE application and submit the application to the school counselor by October 1. The school counselor will then verify the application and submit the completed application to the PROMISE Scholarship office by October 31;
- Notify the PROMISE Scholarship Office on or before October 1 that they will earn their high school diploma mid-year.
- Provide documentation (e.g., certification) that the student has met the high school graduation requirements prior to enrollment at the college.
Board Policy # 11, Adopted July 17 2002.
A student’s college credits (including dual credit courses) completed while enrolled in high school shall not be considered when determining PROMISE renewal eligibility as specified in sections 5.4.2. and 5.5.5. of the PROMISE Legislative Rule.
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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