PROGRAM INFORMATION: The Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program is a state funded student aid program designed to enable and encourage outstanding high school graduates to pursue teaching careers at the pre-school, elementary, middle, or secondary school level. Undergraduate and graduate scholarships, not to exceed $5,000 per academic year, are awarded on the basis of academic qualifications and interest in teaching. The objective is for a recipient to obtain a teaching certificate and to commit to the pursuit of a teaching career in West Virginia public schools.

PROGRAM FUNDING: The appropriation for the scholarship program is $141,142 for the 2006-2007 academic year.

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND SCHOLAR SELECTION: In accordance with statutory provisions, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission is the administering agency for the Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program. A panel, as provided for in the Program's statute, selects the Underwood-Smith recipients.

ELIGIBLE STUDENTS: To qualify for the Underwood-Smith Program, a student must meet the following basic selection criteria:

1. Be a West Virginia resident;
2. Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at a West Virginia institution of higher education as a full-time student in a course of study leading to certification as a teacher at the pre-school, elementary, middle, or secondary level;
3. Agree to teach at the public pre-school, elementary, middle, or secondary school level in West Virginia for two years for each year of scholarship assistance unless entering a teacher shortage area, an exceptional children's program, a school having less than average academic results, or a school in an economically disadvantaged area as designated by the West Virginia Board of Education, when the scholar must teach not less than one year for each year for which the scholarship was received; and
4. Be willing to repay the scholarship on a pro rata basis as well as accrued interest at a substantial rate and any required collection fees if he/she fails to fulfill the teaching obligation.

UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL

• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 after successfully completing 2 years of course work at an approved institution;

GRADUATE LEVEL

• Have or will be graduating in the top ten percent of his/her college/university graduating class or have a 3.5 or above.

When the number of qualified applicants exceeds available funding, additional consideration will be given to such factors as the applicant's statement of intention and interest in being a teacher and program of study.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION: Each interested student must properly complete an application for the Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship prior to the academic year for which the student wishes to be considered for the scholarship. Currently, because of limited funding, applications are only accepted from students who will be a junior, senior, or graduate student in college during the year for which the application is being made. Students should apply through their institution's teacher education chairperson or chief academic officer. Recipients will be required to sign an agreement acknowledging an understanding of the program's requirements and their willingness to repay the award if appropriate teaching service is not rendered. Applications will be mailed to colleges and universities offering teacher certification programs each February. The application deadline is March 1 for the upcoming academic year.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Additional information on the Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program may be requested by calling (304) 558-4618 or by writing to:

Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
1018 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Suite 700
Charleston, West Virginia 25301

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