§18C-1-1 Legislative findings; purpose; administration generally; reporting. - West Virginia Statutes

§18C-1-1. Legislative findings; purpose; administration generally; reporting.
(a) The Legislature makes the following findings:

(1) Although enrollments in institutions of higher education in this state and throughout the nation continue to increase at a rapid pace, West Virginia has not developed sufficiently the state's human talent and resources because many able, but needy, students are not able to finance a higher education program;

(2) The state can achieve its full economic and social potential only when the following elements are in place:

(A) Every individual has the opportunity to contribute to the full extent of his or her capability; and

(B) The state assists in removing financial barriers to the individual's education goals that remain after he or she has used all resources and work opportunities available;

(b) The ultimate state goal in providing student financial aid is to create a culture that values education, to improve the quality of the workforce and to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of West Virginia.

(c) The Vice Chancellor for Administration has a ministerial duty to administer, oversee and monitor all state and federal student financial aid programs administered at the state level in accordance with established rules under the direction of the commission and council and in consultation with the Higher Education Student Financial Aid Advisory Board.

(d) These programs include, but are not limited to, the following programs:

(1) The Guaranteed Student Loan Program, which may be administered by a private nonprofit agency;

(2) The Medical Student Loan Program;

(3) The Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program;

(4) The Engineering, Science and Technology Scholarship Program;

(5) The West Virginia Higher Education Grant Program;

(6) The Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student Grant Program;

(7) The West Virginia Providing Real Opportunities for Maximizing In-State Student Excellence (PROMISE) Scholarship Program;

(8) The Higher Education Student Assistance Loan Program established pursuant to article twenty-two-d, chapter eighteen of this code;

(9) The West Virginia College Prepaid Tuition and Savings Program established pursuant to article thirty, chapter eighteen of this code, which is administered by the State Treasurer;

(10) The state aid programs for students of optometry, pursuant to article three of this chapter;

(11) The state aid programs for students of veterinary medicine pursuant to section six-a, article eleven, chapter eighteen of this code;

(12) Any reciprocal program and contract program for student aid established pursuant to sections three and four, article four, chapter eighteen-b of this code;

(13) Any other state-level student aid programs in this code; and

(14) Any federal grant or contract student assistance or support programs administered at the state level.

(e) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the Vice Chancellor for Administration shall prepare a single, comprehensive report regarding the implementation of the financial aid programs identified in subsection (d) of this section which are administered under his or her supervision. The report shall be provided to the commission and the council and shall be presented to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability no later than November 30, 2009, and annually thereafter. The report shall address all financial aid issues for which reports are required in this code, as well as any findings and recommendations.