Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 14, 1994 TAG: 9404140031
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By Joel Turner STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Allen included money for the scholarships in budget amendments that he has submitted to the General Assembly.
Del. Clifton "Chip" Woodrum, D-Roanoke, said Wednesday he expects the legislature to approve Allen's decision so new students can be added in the next year.
Key legislators say they'll support funding for the Virginia Scholars program, the state's only merit-based scholarship for high school seniors and community college graduates.
The scholarship program is designed to help keep Virginia's brightest high school students at colleges and universities in the state.
The winning students receive four-year, $12,000 scholarships that are awarded solely on merit and not financial need.
The state Council of Higher Education says the selection process for choosing next year's winners will take place over the next several weeks now that the governor has restored funding for the college grants.
The state budget included funds to continue the scholarships for the winners in prior years. The students must attend a Virginia public college and maintain a B average or better in grades to keep their scholarships.
But there was no money for new scholarships.
More than two dozen high school students in the Roanoke Valley applied for the scholarship, only to be told recently that there is no money. Statewide, 925 students applied.
Funds for new scholarships were not included in either former Gov. Douglas Wilder's budget or Allen's initial amendments. The General Assembly provided more money for higher education during its recent session, but not the Virginia Scholars program.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994
by CNB