West Virginia is set to enact over 130 pieces of legislation this week, including a significant new law offering college students a second opportunity to obtain the state’s Promise Scholarship. Spearheaded by Del. Clay Riley, R-Harrison, the legislation aims to provide a safety net for students who face challenges in maintaining the scholarship due to academic performance.
Riley, who experienced academic struggles during his own college transition, emphasized the importance of supporting students through adversity. The Promise Scholarship, valued at over $5,000 for tuition and fees, can be lost if students fail to meet grade or credit hour requirements.
The new law, officially known as House Bill 4919, passed in March without opposition. Under its provisions, students who lose eligibility for the Promise Scholarship will have the opportunity to regain it by improving their grade point average and completing the necessary credits. While not retroactive, the law offers a lifeline to students who face scholarship loss after the legislation takes effect.
Riley clarified that the legislation does not simply pause scholarship eligibility but requires affected students to make up for lost semesters. However, he expressed confidence in the initiative’s ability to keep students engaged in their educational pursuits.
Those seeking reinstatement of the Promise Scholarship are encouraged to visit the website of the state Higher Education Policy Commission or contact the Financial Aid Hotline.
Riley believes that while the number of students benefiting from the second chance may not be overwhelming, their impact on the state will be significant. He emphasized the value of investing in students’ futures and expressed optimism that the initiative will contribute to retaining talent within West Virginia’s borders.