Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about the PROMISE Scholarship
Please click on the Glossary if there are words or terms that are not familiar. Most of these words and terms are defined in the glossary for your convenience.
- A student had planned on attending one school but has changed his/her mind and will enroll in another WV institution. What should the student do?
A student needs to notify the Financial Aid office at the college or university that he/she will be attending.
- How do PROMISE and the WV Higher Education Grant Program work together?
If a student is eligible and the family's EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is meets Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirements, the student will be eligible for both programs. PROMISE will pay for tuition and mandatory fees and the Grant will pay for other educational expenses.
- What are the renewal requirements for the PROMISE Scholarship?
Please visit our Renewal Requirements Pages.
- How is PROMISE funded?
PROMISE receives its funding from the video lottery and state general appropriations.
- Can a student use the PROMISE Scholarship at an out-of-state, Common Market school?
No. The scholarship can only be used at an in-state, accredited institution. Please see a list of our participating institutions.
- Can a student sit out for a period of time before using the PROMISE Scholarship?
Yes. If a student is awarded the PROMISE Scholarship he or she has two years in which to use the scholarship unless he or she is entering the military. Please see the Deferral and Leave of Absence Policy.
- May a student take a leave of absence from college without losing the PROMISE Scholarship?
Yes. Please see the Deferral and Leave of Absence Policy.
- Can a student use weighted grades?
Yes. 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 area?
No. 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.
- How is the core GPA computed?
The core GPA will be computed based on all the core courses completed by the students, not just those required for graduation. Visit our listing of core classes.
- Is a high school student allowed to take more than 15 college credit hours without jeopardizing his/her PROMISE eligibility?
Yes. A student may take as many college credits as he/she desires prior to college enrollment.
- What happens if a student does not have a 3.0 GPA in the core and/or overall courses at the end of the seventh 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. However, they must send an appeal letter and follow all other application and eligibility deadlines. Please see the PROMISE Application Timeline.
- When is the last date a student may take the ACT or SAT to be eligible to receive the PROMISE Scholarship?
The last date to take the ACT for 2008 high school graduates or 2008 GED or home schooled students is December 8, 2007; registration deadline for the December ACT is November 2, 2007.
The last date to take the SAT for 2008 high school graduates or 2008 GED or home schooled students is January 26, 2008; registration deadline for the January SAT is December 26, 2007.
Scores will not be accepted for any tests taken after these test dates for students applying for the 2008 PROMISE award.
- When will students be notified of their PROMISE application status?
Typically students are notified in early April.
- What is the appeals process for a student that wishes to challenge his/her denial of the PROMISE Scholarship?
Please visit our Appeals Process page for more information.
- Do students need to provide copies of their final transcript to the PROMISE Scholarship office?
Students who are using their eighth semester classes to determine eligibility should have the school send an official transcript with BOTH the overall and core GPA listed. It is incumbent upon the student to send a copy of his/her transcript, as PROMISE will not automatically receive one.
- What happens if a student's core and/or overall GPA drops below 3.0 at the end of the eight semesters?
Students are required to maintain eligibility through the eight semesters. Failure to do so will result in scholarship cancellation.