HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 139

(By Delegates Nelson, Anderson, Cowles, Duke,

C. Miller and Savilla)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study methods to insure the long-term fiscal stability of the PROMISE scholarship program.

    Whereas, PROMISE scholarship recipients constitute a vital portion of our state’s youth; and

    Whereas, Recipients of the PROMISE scholarship have much to contribute to the social, economic and cultural well-being of the state; and

    Whereas, It is the desire of the Legislature to provide an incentive for these students to remain in West Virginia at the end of their undergraduate careers; and

    Whereas, It is the desire of the Legislature to insure that the PROMISE scholarship program be fully funded in such manner as to provide both for the future of West Virginia’s young scholars and its own viability; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the history of the PROMISE scholarship program, including delineating precisely the amount of funds expended in each year, the number of students in each year receiving the award, and the number and location of the schools receiving the funds disbursed; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the committee shall examine and have data compiled delineating the number of students receiving the scholarship who dropped out of college in each year, the number of students who continued their education to receive their diplomas, how long it took them to graduate, their rate of employment, the average time it took them to find employment, and where they currently reside and are employed; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the committee shall consider the impact of various strategies to improve rates of retention and graduation; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the committee shall consider the impact of means testing the award of the PROMISE scholarship, by making it conditional to the income level of the students applying and their parents; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the committee shall examine the approval process and the criteria used for approval and award of the scholarship since the PROMISE scholarship program began; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the committee shall examine the rise in the costs of tuition at West Virginia higher education institutions since the PROMISE scholarship program began, and determine if these increases are in any manner linked to the existence of the program; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the committee shall consider all such information or documentation as the committee may request in order to achieve the goals of this resolution; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Committee report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2013, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.