§18C-4-4 Renewal conditions; noncompliance; deferral; excusal. - West Virginia Statutes

§18C-4-4. Renewal conditions; noncompliance; deferral; excusal.

(a) The recipient of an Underwood-Smith teacher scholarship is eligible for scholarship renewal only during such periods that the recipient is:

(1) Enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited institution of higher education in this state;

(2) Pursuing a course of study leading to teacher certification at the preschool, elementary, middle or secondary level in this state;

(3) Maintaining satisfactory progress as determined by the institution of higher education the recipient is attending; and

(4) Complying with such other standards as the boards may establish by rule.

(b) Recipients found to be in noncompliance with the agreement entered into under section three of this article shall be required to repay the amount of the scholarship awards received, plus interest, and, where applicable, reasonable collection fees, on a schedule and at a rate of interest prescribed in the program guidelines. Such guidelines shall also provide for proration of the amount to be repaid by a recipient who teaches for part of the period required under subsection (a), section three of this article and for appeal procedures under which a recipient may appeal any determination of noncompliance.

(c) A recipient shall not be considered in violation of the agreement entered into under section three of this article duringany period in which the recipient is:

(1) Pursuing a full-time course of study at an accredited institution of higher education;

(2) Serving, not in excess of four years, as a member of the armed services of the United States;

(3) Seeking and unable to find full-time employment in accordance with paragraph (A), subdivision (2), subsection (a), section three of this article and is fulfilling any of the alternatives specified in paragraph (B) of said subdivision; or

(4) Satisfying the provisions of additional repayment exemptions that may be prescribed by the boards by rule.

(d) A recipient shall be excused from repayment of a teacher scholarship received under this article if the recipient dies or becomes permanently and totally disabled as established by sworn affidavit of a qualified physician.

(e) The rules adopted by the governing boards may provide guidelines under which the senior administrator may, if extenuating circumstances exist, extend the period for fulfilling the obligation to fifteen years.