NEWS RELEASE

Release Date: February 1, 2010

Contact: Dr. Tony Webster, Director of Scholastic Development, (601) 359-4305
Pete Smith, Communications Director 601-359-3515

The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program

Jackson, Miss. - The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) is accepting applications for the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program. The federally funded program is named in honor of Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia. The scholarship program is open to graduating high school seniors and eligible general education development recipients. Furthermore, the scholarship program will award 65 to 70 scholarships worth $1,500 each. The scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years of undergraduate study at any postsecondary institution of higher education in the United States excluding military academies.

The selection criteria is designed to ensure that all eligible students receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, age, economic background, educational expenses or financial need. Scholarships are awarded based upon academic merit and the promise of continued excellence in postsecondary education. A nine-member scholarship selection committee, composed of school board members, administrators, counselors, teachers and parents will select Mississippi’s “Byrd Scholars” from among the state’s four congressional districts.

Applications for the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program are available through local school district superintendents, high school principals, headmasters, high school counselors or MDE at (601) 359-4305. The application may also be downloaded from MDE’s website at www.mde.k12.ms.us/scholarship/scholdev.html.

The deadline for submission of the application is March 31, 2010. All applications must be postmarked by the deadline.