Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 30, 1994 TAG: 9403300035
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Edwards, a senior at Roanoke's Patrick Henry High School, filled out a lengthy application last fall and wrote an essay about himself.
Thinking he would probably attend either the University of Virginia or Washington & Lee University, he applied for a $3,000 state scholarship.
But he learned recently that he will not receive a scholarship from the Virginia Scholars program, which was created several years ago.
It is a merit-based, tax-supported program 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.
Edwards will not receive a scholarship because the General Assembly did not budget $150,000 so 50 new students could receive the grants in the next year.
As a result, Edwards said he will likely go to a college outside the state, probably Princeton or Dartmouth.
"I was disappointed, and I was kind of mad that they didn't tell us before we did all of the work on it," Edwards said.
More than two dozen high school students in the Roanoke Valley share Edwards' sentiments.
Statewide, 925 high school students had applied for the scholarships for the next school year.
David Kunkle, a senior at Cave Spring High School in Roanoke County, also may go out of state because funds for the scholarships were not provided.
Kunkle, who wants to be a doctor, had been considering UVa, Wake Forest and the University of North Carolina.
"I originally thought that a $3,000 scholarship would be a good incentive to go to UVa," Kunkle said. "Now, it's not that much difference in costs, and I'm considering Wake Forest."
Kunkle said he was excited about the Virginia Scholars program because it is based on merit. "There seems to be a lot of money for needy students, but not as much on merit," he said.
Shannon Allmon, a senior at William Fleming High School, has been accepted by three Virginia colleges - George Mason, James Madison, and William and Mary - and Wake Forest.
Allmon, who sought a Virginia Scholars scholarship, said he will probably still go to a school in Virginia, but it might be George Mason instead of William and Mary.
"If I had gotten the state scholarship, I would have gone to William and Mary. Now, I'm waiting on word from George Mason about another scholarship," Allmon said.
The state budget includes funds to continue the Virginia Scholars scholarships for the winners in prior years. The students must attend a Virginia public college and maintain a B average or better to keep their scholarships.
Stephen Merritt, manager of financial aid for the state Council of Higher Education, said the elimination of $150,000 for new scholarships was part of the move to streamline state government and higher education.
"We were told to cut our budgets, and that included reducing personnel. It takes people to administer programs," Merritt said.
"We didn't know what was going to be in [former Gov. Douglas Wilder's budget]. We knew it was a possibility that the money might not be there," Merritt said.
He said the state council warned students in February about the possibility that money might not be available.
Funds for 50 new scholarships were not included in either Wilder's budget or Gov. George Allen's budget revisions. The General Assembly provided more money for higher education, but not for the Virginia Scholars program.
Guidance counselors said they also are disappointed that students were not told earlier.
Richard Kepley, guidance director at Patrick Henry High, said seven students applied from that school, which has had several winners in the past.
"It has been an excellent program, and it has helped keep some of the best students in the state," Kepley said.
Joan Farley, guidance counselor at Cave Spring, said she is frustrated because some students had high hopes of getting a scholarship, but now there is nothing.
"We spent a lot of time with them, helping them fill out the applications. The scholarships are an equalizer that help to persuade some of the brightest students to stay in the state," Farley said.
Students who have placed in the National Merit Scholarship program and several other academic contests are automatically eligible for nomination by their schools. The number of additional nominees depends on the school size.
Sixteen seniors were nominated from Roanoke County, 11 from Roanoke and two from Salem.
The scholarships are awarded only to the brightest students. An analysis of the winners since 1989 indicates that no one with a score below 1190 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test and below a 3.6 grade-point average has been selected as a finalist.
Edwards, who plans to major in history, has a 4.2 grade-point average and ranks near the top of his class at Patrick Henry. His average is above 4.0 because he attends both the Roanoke Valley Governor's School and the City School, and he has taken advanced courses.
Kunkle has a 4.0 average at Cave Spring, where he will be co-valedictorian of his class.
Allmon, who also ranks near the top of his class with a 3.7 grade-point average at Fleming, wants to study either psychology or genetic engineering.
"It would have added up to $12,000 [over four years]," Allmon said, "and that would have helped."
by CNB