Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship
Program
Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program is a student
financial aid program designed to enable and encourage students to
pursue teaching careers at the pre-school, elementary, middle or
secondary school level.
Undergraduate and graduate scholarships, not to exceed $5,000
per academic year, are awarded on the basis of academic
qualifications and interest in teaching. The purpose of the program
is to assist West Virginians interested in obtaining a teaching
certificate and committed to the pursuit of a teaching career in
West Virginia's public schools. Due to limited funding, priority is
given to junior, senior, and graduate students. Awards are
contingent upon annual funding of the program by the West Virginia
State Legislature.
Forms
Grade Report Form 
(needed for private schools only)
Award Criteria
Applicants must be West Virginia residents who are or will be
enrolled on a full-time basis in an accredited institution of
higher education in West Virginia pursuing a course of study
leading to a teacher certificate at the preschool, middle, or
secondary level in West Virginia.
Recipients of the Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship must agree
to teach at the public pre-school, elementary, middle or secondary
school level in West Virginia for two years for each year of
scholarship assistance. However, if a scholar enters a teacher
shortage area, an exceptional children's program, a school having
less than average academic results or a school in an economically
disadvantaged area as designated by the West Virginia Board of
Education, then the scholar must teach one year for each year for
which the scholarship was received.
There are also limited provisions for meeting the teaching
requirement through alternative service. Students who fail to meet
the teaching or alternative service requirements are required to
repay the scholarship received plus interest and any required
collection fees.
Forms for Current or Past Scholars
Enrollment Verification Form
Employment Verification Form
Alternative Employment Form
Program Contact Information
Financial Aid Program Staff
1018 Kanawha Blvd. East, Suite 700
Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 558-4618 or 1 (877) 987-7664