The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program
This is a merit-based rather than need-based program, the purpose of which is to recognize outstanding academic achievement. Selected students, known as "Byrd Scholars," must also show promise of continued excellence. Prior to 1996-97, each selected applicant could receive up to $1,500 for study at an eligible school of higher education. Beginning with the 1996-97 award year, both first year and continuing scholars receive a prorated scholarship amount. For 1997-98, this amount may not exceed $1,100 for full-time study. Scholarships can be renewed for up to three additional years of study. Ten recipients are selected from each congressional district. Your high school counseling office has application information on both the Douglas and Byrd scholarship programs.

The following federal programs are not funded for funded for 1998-99 so we will only mention them briefly.

Paul Douglas Teacher Scholarship Program
The Paul Douglas Teacher Scholarship is not a need-based program, although if the recipient is receiving other federal aid, that aid must be considered in determining the scholarship amount. The program is designed to provide scholarship assistance to outstanding high school graduates who demonstrate an interest in pursuing a teaching career at the elementary or secondary level. The maximum scholarship amount is $5,000 per year, not to exceed the cost of attendance. There is a four year limit on scholarship assistance, and in most cases each year of scholarship assistance obligates the recipient for two years of teaching.

National Science Scholars Program (NSSP)
This program is authorized under Title VI of the Excellence in Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education Act of 1990, and is awarded to students for undergraduate study of mathematics, engineering, or the life, physical, or computer sciences.

The purpose of the program is to recognize and promote student excellence and achievement in the sciences by providing scholarships to meritorious graduating high school students that both encourage and enable them to continue their studies at the college level. Students who obtain the equivalent of a certificate of graduation during the school year in which the award is made may also be eligible.

Presidential Access Scholarship Program
This is a relative new-comer to the federal student aid programs. Program funds are available to undergraduate students who are eligible for Federal Pell Grant and who demonstrate academic achievement. The annual scholarship award is the greater of 25% of the student's Federal Pell Grant award for that year, or $400. The student may reapply for this scholarship annually up to a four year limit (five years, if the student is enrolled in a program that takes five years to complete).

National Early Intervention Scholarship and Partnership (NEISP)
The NEISP Program was created in 1992 to provide grants to states to: encourage states to provide a guaranteed amount of financial assistance to permit eligible low-income students who obtain high school diplomas or the equivalent to attend an institution of higher education; and provide financial incentives to enable states, in cooperation with local public and private organizations, to provide a variety of outreach services, including: counseling, mentoring, academic support, and early awareness services.

National and Community Service
The National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 established the Corporation for National Service, which offers educational opportunities through the AmeriCorps programs. AmeriCorps members meet community needs with services that range from housing renovation to child immunization to neighborhood policing.

AmeriCorps members receive a modest living allowance and health coverage while participating in the program. After completing one year of full-time service (from 10 to 12 months), AmeriCorps members receive an education voucher worth $4,725. The voucher can be used to cover future costs of college or vocational school and to pay back student loans.

AmeriCorps members are sponsored by national, state, and local nonprofit organizations. In addition to the hundreds of local AmeriCorps programs, AmeriCorps also includes two national programs:

• AmeriCorps - NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a full-time service program for men and women age 18 through 24. AmeriCorps - NCCC members focus their service on improving, maintaining, and restoring the natural environment; and

• AmeriCorps - VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a full-time service program for men and women age 18 and older. AmeriCorps - VISTA members organize "capacity-building" activities for the nonprofits they serve, like recruiting and training community volunteers and setting up neighborhood education programs. Members live in the low-income communities they serve.

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) ROTC offers military educational scholarships to college student's in exchange for a commitment of military service at the conclusion of that education. ROTC scholarships pay for undergraduate tuition, fees, and books for two, three, or four years, as well as a monthly stipend during the last two years of the student's educational program. Scholarship recipients must commit to serve in the military for a period of 7 to 8 years.

The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps offer ROTC programs. The appropriate military service recruiting office has scholarship information and a directory of participating institutions.

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Grants
This higher education grant program is for enrolled members of a tribe (Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut) who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited postsecondary institution. In order to be eligible for a Bureau of Indian Affairs Grant, students must show financial need as determined by the institution they are attending. Additional information may be obtained from any Bureau of Indian Affairs office. Some reservations also have education officers who can provide students with more information and application forms.

Vocational Rehabilitation
Since 1973 access to educational opportunities for disabled individuals has been guaranteed through federal laws governing vocational rehabilitation. Some states offer access to these programs by providing grants or tuition waivers to eligible students. While students with disabilities may participate in any of the federal financial aid programs, additional aid through vocational rehabilitation programs may be used to pay for unique expenses incurred due to their disability.

Vocational rehabilitation programs provide comprehensive services under an individualized written rehabilitation plan. The plan can include evaluation, vocational training, special devices required for employment, job placement, and follow-up services.

Eligible students may receive funds for tuition, fees, books and supplies, as well as maintenance and transportation allowances. Disabled students should visit their state department of vocational rehabilitation for further information.

Before we conclude our discussion of federal need-based aid, we should note that not all postsecondary institutions participate in these programs. If an institution is not approved to participate, or has chosen not to participate, students attending that school may not receive funds under most of the programs just described. In some cases, an institution will participate in some, but not all, of the federal student aid programs. Schools with high default rates may be ineligible to participate in the Federal Pell Grant, FFEL, and Direct Loan programs. Aid administrators also may refuse to certify FFEL or Direct Loan applications, or may reduce the amounts borrowed, if they document in writing the reason for doing so and provide an explanation to the student or parent in writing. You should be sure to find out what aid programs are available at each school you are interested in attending.