WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2024 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

Senate Bill 584

By Senators Oliverio, Martin. and Caputo

[Introduced January 29, 2024; referred
 to the Committee on Education; and then to the Committee on Finance]

A BILL to amend and reenact §18C-7-3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to including Salem University as a program wherein the PROMISE Scholarship is accepted.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 7. WEST VIRGINIA PROVIDING REAL OPPORTUNITIES FORMAXIMIZING IN-STATE STUDENT EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIPPROGRAM.

§18C-7-3. Definitions.

(a) General. — For the purposes of this article, terms have the meaning ascribed to them in §18C-1-2 of this code, unless the context in which the term is used clearly requires a different meaning or a specific definition is provided in this section.

(b) Definitions. — (1) "Eligible institution" means:

(A) A state institution of higher education as defined in §18B-1-2 of this code;

(B) Alderson-Broaddus University, Appalachian Bible College, Bethany College, Davis and Elkins College, the University of Charleston, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Salem University, and Wheeling University, all in West Virginia. Any institution listed in this subdivision ceases to be an eligible institution if it meets either of the following conditions:

(i) It loses regional accreditation; or

(ii) It changes its status as a private, not-for-profit institution;

(C) West Virginia Junior College; and

(D) Any other public or private regionally accredited institution in this state approved by the commission.

(2) "Tuition" means the quarter, semester or term charges imposed by an eligible state institution of higher education and, additionally, all mandatory fees required as a condition of enrollment by all students. For the purposes of this article, the following conditions apply:

(A) West Virginia University, Potomac State College and West Virginia University Institute of Technology are considered separate institutions for purposes of determining tuition rates; and

(B) The tuition amount paid by undergraduate health sciences students at West Virginia University is considered to be the same as the amount of tuition paid by all other West Virginia University undergraduate students.

(3) "Enrolled" means either currently enrolled or in the process of enrolling in an eligible institution.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to include Salem University in the PROMISE Scholarship program.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.