Robert Byrd Honor Program Scholarship

<p>I thought that was the same with the grant... But they do let you keep the grant money (maybe a portion of it ~ I am checking tomorrow). I changed my college choice to WVU and it was on their list of schools that they accept. You might want to call and find out! Everything that my mom checked out says it is mainly based on being and staying a resident of Pennsylvania...although the funds may decrease if out of state. I post tomorrow about that.</p>

<p>hmmm...tricky situation...yes i am familiar with the PHEAA Academic Excellence Award... i think this is only for those who qualify for the Byrd but do not receive it... so basically, if you have already received a state grant, then you are guaranteed extra money if you do not receive the Byrd (taking into consideration you qualify for it, as you did)... i wasn't aware that you had to be in-state though... hmm good thing i'm going to Pitt! :) </p>

<p>as for still having a shot at the scholarship...i think you definitely do!! maybe i got an early reply because i applied for it so early... maybe that "committee" that they sent it to meets at a couple sessions or something and mine just happened to be in an earlier batch...ALL of the people that i know of at my school who applied significantly later than me still have not heard either...coincidence?? hmmm haha... so keep your hopes up! and GOOD LUCK!!</p>

<p>Thanks for the info! I don't think it matters if it is an out of state school either, but I am calling today to make sure. When I changed my college from Penn State to WVU, it was on their list of accepted colleges. Now that you mentioned "i wasn't aware that you had to be in-state though", it kind of makes me almost sure that I am still getting this grant money.</p>

<p>Good luck at Pitt!! Great school! What are you taking up? I'm looking at mining engineering or chemical engineering.</p>

<p>I just talked to PHEAA...The PA state grant CAN BE used at out of state institutions, however the amount will be less. DS qualified for the maximum, however since he is going to WVU the maximum for West Viriginia is $400.00/sememster. It may be different for each state. I didn't ask that. But, that is better than nothing!! They will be sending another award letter out with this updated information on it. It usually takes about 10 days the rep said. Then I'll know for sure exactly what he will receive. </p>

<p>So, I would call (1-800-692-7392) and check what amount your d would be able to receive, depending on where she is attending. Is is a voice automated system, but keep asking for customer service and you should be able to get to talk to someone. You can not change school using the automated system, but I do not know if you can with a customer service agent. If she already has her out of state school correct, than she should be receiving whatever amount is on the award. But if she needs to change that, I there may be a time frame in order to do that. Check your letter.</p>

<p>Also, go online at <a href="http://www.pheaa.org%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.pheaa.org&lt;/a> and use the right side bar to access the "account access" link. You may have to set up your account, but you can change her college choice online. </p>

<p>As for the Byrd Scholarship, since she did qualify for the State Grant, she will be elgible for the PA Academic Excellence Award. I asked "Since my son is going to WVU, out of state, would he still be able to receive this and use it?" The rep said, "Yes. It doesn't matter if he is going to school out of state as long as he stays a resident of PA." I asked this about both scholarships (Byrd and PA Academic Excellence).</p>

<p>So, things should look alot brighter for your daughter now! I hope this helps.</p>

<p>Droopy: Thanks for the advice. On my lunch 15 minutes, I called PHEAA and had them correct the school information. The rep seemed to think that she may be able to keep the grant (I have my doubts as the school is not listed on their pick list). Bad news though, got home to find another PHEAA notice that she had not won the Byrd. Still hoping that you can get it. It did say in the letter that it was a random process. The rules on the PHEAA website say that the Academic Excellence Award is only if you attend school in Pennsylvania. :( That was the last hope for any outside $$. Oh well, she will be getting a dynamite education.</p>

<p>i received my acceptance letter. :) from VA.</p>

<p>droopy:
thanks for the kind words and wishes! i also wish the best of luck to you at WVU...it's a good engineering school... that is also what i'm going for at Pitt... bioengineering... then possibly med school at UPMC?... i'm not entirely sure yet :) ... i hope you get good news regarding Byrd soon!</p>

<p>Just as I thought, in changing my daughter's school to one in New Jersey, she lost the grant. I assume she will be ineligible for the Acamic Excellence Award as well (for those who qualify for Byrd but don't win). Her ineligibility was marked with a code "S" - meaning that since New Jersey does not allow their grants to be used at Pennsylvania schools, Pennsylvania will also not allow theirs to be used in New Jersey. Sounds like politics to me, too bad the kids are the ones that suffer.</p>

<p>Well, I didn't receive the Byrd Scholarship.... Oh well! Fortunately most of my schooling this year will be paid for ~ except for maybe $2,000. I am very satisfied with that! Good luck to everybody else.</p>

<p>My S got the Byrd letter in Ohio yesterday.</p>

<p>Anyone get anything in New York yet?</p>

<p>For New York, if you call them they'll tell you whether or not you won. Supposedly they send out letters to people who won, but don't send anything to people who didn't win. I don't think they send out the letters to sometime next week.</p>

<p>Thanks metsfan, I actually got the acceptance letter today :)</p>

<p>Congratulations. I too just got an acceptance letter yesterday.</p>

<p>This is going to sound un-informed, but hopefully someone out there can help. At my D's senior/faculty luncheon yesterday she was given a certificate that says "Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship". We live in Michigan. She was the only senior to get one. She never "applied" for this...she will be attending college out of state (Yale). Can someone tell me if this means she won? Does she actually get some money? If so, how much? Is it renewable?</p>

<p>This is from the Michigan department of education:</p>

<p>Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship</p>

<p>Robert C. Byrd Fact Sheetpdf icon</p>

<p>The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship is a federally funded program administered by the State of Michigan, Office of Scholarships and Grants. It was established to promote student excellence and achievement and to recognize exceptionally able students who show promise of continued excellence. This merit-based program provides approximately 200 awards per year for up to four years to graduating high school students who have achieved academic excellence. The financial resources of the family are not a criterion for determining eligibility. The federal law requires that awards be geographically distributed.</p>

<p>Application
There is no application for students to submitt. Each spring, high school principals nominate one outstanding graduating senior, based upon high school academic achievement and college aptitude test scores. The principal will use a mathematical formula to combine the grade point average and SAT or ACT scores.</p>

<p>Program Limits
The current maximum award is $1,500. The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship and all other financial aid for which the scholar qualifies cannot exceed the cost of attendance. The award is for the first year of study at any college or university in the United States and is renewable for three additional years of undergraduate study. Future awards are subject to available and approved funding.</p>

<p>Eligibility
General eligibility requirements include:</p>

<pre><code>* Enrolled full-time at an eligible Michigan postsecondary or out-of-state institution that participates in Federal Title IV student aid programs
* High school graduate or GED certificate
* A legal resident of the state of Michigan
* U.S. citizen or permanent resident
* Registered with the Selective Service, if applicable
</code></pre>

<p>(Students entering U.S. Military Academies are not eligible for consideration.)</p>

<p>Contact the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship program, Office of Scholarships and Grants, at 1-888-4-GRANTS (888-447-2687) or at <a href="mailto:osg.@michigan.gov">osg.@michigan.gov</a></p>

<p>I won it in Texas - it was based completely on my GPA/rank and standardized test scores (I gave them my ACT).</p>

<p>kcirsch - that was probably the easiest scholarship application my daughter completed!</p>

<p>I got a low SATI but high GPA. However, my parents' incomes are extrermely low so I think this is how I got the scholarship. I didn't even have to write an essay(lucky me-I hate writing essay)
GOOD LUCK to those who are still waiting!!!</p>

<p>how competitive is the scholarship?</p>

<p>is it just based on gpa and sat?
3 students from my school received the robert c byrd scholarship this year.</p>