§18C-6-3. Selection criteria and procedures.

(a) The vice chancellor for administration shall select the recipients of West Virginia STEM scholarships from among those applicants who meet eligibility criteria set forth in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) To be eligible to receive a scholarship under the provisions of this article, applicants must meet the following conditions:

(1) Be a United States citizen or person who meets the definition of an "eligible noncitizen" under federal Title IV requirements;

(2) Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale upon graduation from high school or the equivalent or have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale after completing one semester of course work at an eligible institution of higher education; and

(3) Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited STEM or STEM-related program leading to a certificate, associate or baccalaureate degree at an eligible institution of higher education.

(c) In accordance with the intent of this article, in the rule authorized by §18C-6-1 of this code, the commission shall develop criteria and procedures for the selection of scholarship recipients that reflect the purposes of this article and the areas in which the commission shall make particular efforts in the selection of recipients as set forth in section one of this article and which may include, but not be limited to:

(1) The grade point average of the applicant;

(2) Involvement in extracurricular activities;

(3) Financial need;

(4) Current academic standing; and

(5) An expression of interest in a career in a STEM or STEM-related field as demonstrated in an essay written by the applicant.

The criteria and procedures further may require the applicant to furnish letters of recommendation from teachers and others.

(d) In developing the rule regarding selection criteria and procedures for the West Virginia STEM scholarship, the commission shall solicit the views of public and private science, technology, engineering, and mathematics agencies and institutions and other interested parties.

(e) The commission shall make application forms for West Virginia STEM scholarships available to public and private high schools, charter schools, home schools, learning pods, microschools, and other educational programs authorized by the Legislature that encompass education commonly received in grades 9 through 12, in the state and other locations convenient to applicants, parents, and others and shall make an effort to attract students from low-income backgrounds, ethnic or racial minority students, students with disabilities, and women or minority students who show interest in pursuing careers in STEM or STEM-related fields and who are under-represented in those fields.

(f) In awarding the scholarships, the commission shall give preference to applicants who are West Virginia residents.

(g) The commission shall award scholarships based on established statewide need.