Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 133-7-2 - Eligibility of High School Graduates for Initial Award2.1. To be eligible for an initial PROMISE Scholarship, a high school applicant shall be eligible for the award both at the time of application and at the time of receipt of the award by meeting all criteria outlined in this rule at the time of application and award; and 2.1.1. Shall complete graduation requirements at a West Virginia high school, as defined in Section 16 below, unless he or she qualified as a military dependent under Section 5 of this rule or has commuted to an out-of-state high school pursuant to Section 6 of this rule; and2.1.2. Shall complete at least one-half of the credits required for graduation through attendance at a high school in this State, unless he or she qualified as a military dependent under Section 5 of this rule or has commuted to an out-of-state school pursuant to Section 6 of this rule; and2.1.3. Shall apply for the scholarship within two years of graduation from high school or within two years of obtaining a GED or equivalent unless the applicant entered the United States Armed Services pursuant to Section 4 of this rule; and2.1.4. Shall have attained a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, based on high school grading policies, in both core courses and overall coursework required for graduation by the State Board or the appropriate person at the applicant's high school, while enrolled in a high school; and2.1.5. Shall meet standardized test score criteria on an ACT or SAT national test as established by the Commission; and2.1.6. The applicant and his or her parent or legal guardian shall have resided in West Virginia continuously for a minimum of 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the final date of application for a PROMISE Scholarship, unless the applicant or the applicant's parent or legal guardian was, at all relevant times, a member of the United States Armed Services pursuant to Section 4 of this rule or a military dependent pursuant to Section 5 of this rule, and be a United States citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or an eligible non-citizen who meets the residency requirements for Federal Student Aid; and2.1.7. Shall submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and any application form required by the Commission by the deadline established by the Commission; Provided, That any student who misses the deadline for application may apply by a later date established by the Commission for a spring semester award. This option is contingent upon the availability of funding for late awards.2.2. The applicant's high school shall determine the grade point average required by Subsection 2.4.1. of this rule at the end of the applicant's sixth high school semester. However, the high school may determine the final calculation of the grade point average and eligibility for the award as late as after the eighth semester.2.3. The applicant's high school may use weighted grades in the computation of an applicant's core and overall grade point average based on the high school's grading policies.2.4. An applicant who was deemed eligible for a PROMISE award shall enroll for the first regularly scheduled enrollment period after being selected unless granted a leave of absence pursuant to Section 9.6. and 9.7. below.2.5. An applicant who was deemed eligible for a PROMISE award but elects not to enroll at an eligible institution may regain eligibility if he or she discontinues enrollment at the ineligible institution no later than one academic year after high school graduation and re-enrolls at an eligible institution. The re-enrolling student shall meet the eligibility standards for a PROMISE award renewal set out in Section 9 of this rule.2.6. Only full-time, first-year students are eligible to receive initial awards. Students already enrolled at a higher education institution are not eligible to apply for a PROMISE award except as provided in Subsection 2.1.7. above.