Statement by Governor Bob Wise 

Next fall, the first PROMISE Scholars will take their seats in West Virginia community, technical and four-year colleges and universities, both public and private.  About 3,000 students will qualify for this financial assistance because of their academic excellence in high school.  Students that work hard, play by the rules and meet the tough expectations set by their parents, their teachers, and the PROMISE Board, will be rewarded with a scholarship.

An educated workforce is one of the most important considerations for businesses planning to relocate their operations to West Virginia and, therefore, education is a key to our economic development. The PROMISE Scholarship program is a vital component of   the state’s efforts to increase educational opportunities and to build a competitive West Virginia workforce. 

The PROMISE Scholarship will make attending college in West Virginia more affordable and accessible for many outstanding students.  More qualified students will be able to attend post secondary educational institutions to gain the knowledge and skills needed to secure jobs.  Our educated work force will attract new businesses to West Virginia and that will spur our economy.  

Many of our best and brightest students leave the state to pursue academic opportunities elsewhere and are less likely to return to West Virginia to begin their careers.  We need these students to become part of our work force.  The PROMISE Scholarship will help keep talented students in the Mountain State. 

PROMISE is a new and exciting scholarship.  However, it’s not the only scholarship or grant program available to West Virginia students; it’s part of the aid available.   There are other financial aid programs, such as the Higher Education Grant Program and the Prepaid College Plan, that work together.  Combined, the programs are a well-coordinated system of both need-based and merit-based financial aid.  The PROMISE Scholarship Board coordinates scholarship benefits with needs-based programs to ensure the greatest number of students is served. 

As Michael Benedum so eloquently put it: “We know not where seed may sprout.  In the poorest and most unregarded child who seems to be abandoned to ignorance and evil, there may slumber virtue, intellect and genius.  It is our duty to sow and nurture, leaving it to others to harvest the fruits of our efforts.” 

With the implementation of the PROMISE Scholarship program, we begin the nurturing process of not only our children and students but our economy, as well.  The fruits of our efforts will be more West Virginia students attending college and participating in a vibrant economy.

Bob Wise
Governor

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

©2003 State of West Virginia. All rights reserved.
Site maintained by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission