Promise Scholarship

Must complete high school graduation requirements at a West Virginia public or private high school.

Must complete at least one half of credits required for high school graduation through attendance at a public or private high school in the state of West Virginia.

• Limited exceptions are available for students from West Virginia who commute daily to an out-of-state public or private high school and who qualify as a military dependent under Section 6 of the Promise Scholarship Program Rule.

Must achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or whatever is considered a “B” average, based on county board grading policies, in both core courses AND overall coursework required for graduation by the West Virginia Department of Education.

• Students attending private high schools must submit a grade report form to qualify. Private high school officials must verify grades were maintained through the final semester. Public School students DO NOT submit grade report forms, unless requested.

• The Core grade point average is determined based on the grades in all core courses a student completes on the core class listing, not just those required for graduation. Click here for a complete list of high school course requirements.

• Students using final grades to meet their eligibility are responsible for having their school send a grade report form and official transcript to our office, for consideration.

• Applicants may qualify with sixth or seventh semester grades but must maintain the grade point average requirement through the eighth semester or the scholarship will be revoked.

• If a student does not have a qualifying sixth or seventh semester grade point average, they must apply and have a completed FAFSA submitted by the March 1 deadline to be considered.

• Grade point average calculations must be determined by a high school counselor or school official.

• Weighted grades may be used based on county board grading policy.

Dual credit and other college coursework.

• Students can take unlimited amount dual credit coursework prior to college enrollment and still be eligible for award.

• College coursework taken in high school will count towards initial eligibility.

• All college credits (including dual credit coursework) will be counted in the cumulative GPA calculation in determining Promise Scholarship renewal eligibility, regardless of whether the college accepts these credits.

• Credit hours earned prior to the first fall semester of enrollment may not be counted toward the credit hour requirement in determining eligibility for award renewal. See the Promise renewal requirements tab for more information on maintaining scholarship eligibility.

The WV HPEC also lowered test scores 2022-23 graduates must achieve for the Promise Scholarship:

• ACT composite score – 21 (regularly 22); ACT English score – 19 (regularly 20); ACT Reading score – 19 (regularly 20); ACT Science score – 19 (regularly 20); ACT Math score – 19 (regularly 20).

• SAT composite score – 1080 

• (regularly 1100); SAT Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing score – 510

•  (regularly 530); SAT Math score – 510

•  (regularly 520).

These students also qualify for super-scoring to achieve the minimum standardized testing scores necessary to qualify for the Promise Scholarship.

Testing Transperancy
Required by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act in 2015)

 ESEA requires LEAs to post testing transparency on all federal, state and local assessments on their websites. LEAs may modify this template as needed and must post the information to ensure compliance with the testing transparency requirement.