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PROGRAM INFORMATION: The Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program is a state funded student aid program designed to enable and encourage students 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 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.  However, if a scholar enters 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, then the scholar must teach one year for each year for which the scholarship was received; and
4. Be willing to repay the scholarship received plus interest and any required collection fees if he/she fails to fulfill the work requirement.

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, 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 on or before March 1, 2009. Currently, because of limited funding, applications are limited to juniors, seniors, or graduate students.

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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