CHARLESTON, W.Va. — About 155 high school seniors have applied to the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program this year, which is slightly less than previous years, according to the state Higher Education Policy Commission.
Monday was the deadline to apply for the scholarship, now in its fifth year.
This scholarship provides up to $10,000 per year — or $40,000 total — for 25 new scholars each year from a national applicant pool.
A student will be granted the award money as long as they’re willing to teach in West Virginia for five years after graduating from a four-year college or university.
HEPC Financial Aid Director Brian Weingart said it’s important to incentivize young people to pursue careers in education to help address West Virginia’s teacher shortage.
“Obviously elementary education, special education, math and science is where we have the highest need for those teachers and so we’re offering this scholarship to students who want to give back and be able to teach and have an impact on the next generation,” Weingart said.
A student needs to have at least a 3.25 high school GPA, complete core courses and take the ACT or SAT exam in order to qualify for the scholarship.
The Underwood-Smith award can be combined with other federal and state financial aid for which a student qualifies, including the Pell Grant and Promise Scholarship. West Virginia residents who receive the Promise Scholarship as well, for example, would receive up to $15,200 per year to help pay for college.
Weingart said the winners are paired with a classroom teacher mentor, who provides guidance throughout their college careers.
“Throughout the four years of college they will also have a teacher who is assigned to them, who will guide them and who will help mentor them to be a good teacher before they graduate,” he said.
This scholarship program is named in honor of West Virginia Governors Cecil H. Underwood and Hulett C. Smith, both of whom were strong advocates for the state’s teachers and students.
The winners will be announced in mid-May.
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