MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

The Robert C. Byrd Honors
Scholarship Program

PURPOSE

The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program is a federally funded program authorized under Title IV, Part A, Subpart 6 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. Under this program, the Secretary of Education of the United States Department of Education makes available, through grants to the States, scholarships to high school graduates and eligible general education development graduates who show promise of continued excellence, in an effort to recognize and promote student excellence and achievement. The scholarships are for study at postsecondary institutions of higher education. By promoting student excellence and achievement, the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program supports National Education Goals. Student recipients under this program are known as “Byrd Scholars”.

DESCRIPTION

The United States Department of Education on an annual basis, through a grant, awards the state of Mississippi from 70 to 75 scholarships. Based on the United States Congressional Appropriations allotted for the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program, the United States Department of Education has established each scholarship amount to range from $1100.00 to $1500.00 each year. The scholarships can be utilized to for the “cost of attendance” at any postsecondary institution of higher education. The scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years of study at any postsecondary institution of higher education provided that funds are appropriated and students remain eligible.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The Mississippi Department of Education establishes the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship selection criteria and procedural process for selection of “Byrd Scholars”. The selection criteria and procedures are 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.

The following selection criteria are utilized in identifying “Byrd Scholars”:

• The eligible student must be a legal resident of the State to which he or she is applying for a scholarship.
• The eligible student must be a U.S. citizen or provide evidence that he or she is a permanent resident of the United States.
• The eligible student must be a high school graduate in the same secondary school year in which he or she submits application for the scholarship (or)
• The eligible student must have received their general education development certificate in the same year in which he or she submits application for the scholarship.
• Each prospective “Byrd Scholar” must have applied or been accepted for enrollment as a full-time student at an institution of higher education before the awarding of the scholarship
• The eligible student must submit the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship application to receive consideration for a scholarship. The application must include the following information:

  • ACT or SAT Score
  • Official high school transcript that indicates all grades received in grades 9 – 12 (or)
  • Official copy of the GED test results signed by the GED Test Coordinator
  • Information regarding extracurricular and co-curricular participation in grades 9 – 12
  • Leadership activities and any Honors and Awards received in
    grades 9 – 12
  • A one page written essay

Interested students are required to complete the scholarship application form and include with the application an official high school transcript or academic record; the ACT or SAT scores; and a written essay entitled "How the Byrd Scholarship Will Influence My Ability to Achive My Future Goals". The deadline for receiving applications is March 31, 2007. The application and all related information must be returned to:

Mississippi Department of Education
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program
P.O. Box 771
Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0771
601-359-4305 (or visit the MDE website at) http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/scholarship/scholdev.html

For more information and an application, contact your Principal, Headmaster, Counselor, or the Mississippi Department of Education.

Office of Scholastic Development

Revised 1/18/2007