Program Office: State Service
CFDA Number: 84.185A
Program Type: Formula Grants
Also Known As: Byrd Honors Scholarships
Program Description
This program, which is federally funded and state-administered, is designed to recognize exceptionally able high school seniors who show promise of continued excellence in postsecondary education. The Department awards funds to state education agencies (SEAs), which make scholarship awards to eligible applicants. Students receive scholarships for college expenses.
Types of Projects
This program provides scholarships for postsecondary education.
| Students having questions or concerns regarding the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program should contact the the state education agency in their state of legal residence. Please refer to the list of state education agency contacts for more information. |
Eligibility
Who May Apply: (by category) Individuals
Who May Apply: (specifically) High school graduates who have been accepted for enrollment at institutions of higher education (IHEs), have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, and show promise of continued academic excellence may apply to states in which they are residents. The Department provides grant funds to states on a formula basis.
An eligible student applicant must, during the same secondary academic year in which the scholarship is to be awarded: (1) be a graduate of a public or private secondary school or have received the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma (GED); (2) be a legal resident of the State in which he or she applies; (3) be a U.S. citizen or national of the United States or have evidence from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service that he or she is a permanent resident or is in the United States for other than a temporary purpose; (4) has applied or been accepted for enrollment at an institution of higher education; (5) certify that he or she is not ineligible to receive assistance as a result of default on a Federal student loan or other obligation; and (6) file, with the school that he or she plans to attend, a Statement of Selective Service Registration Status. A student attending a military academy is ineligible to receive a Byrd scholarship.
Applicant Information
NOTE: This program was not funded in FY 2012. The Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011 also eliminated funding for this program; therefore, the Department has not made awards to states who, in turn, were not able to provide scholarships to students under this program.
In previous fiscal years, students applied directly to the state education agency (SEA) in their state of legal residence. Application deadlines were set forth by the respective SEA. Students requested the application package from the state education agency and followed their instructions for application procedures.
When this program is funded, states must renew their participation in the Byrd Program each year.
Awards
The fifty (50) states, DC, Puerto Rico, and the Insular Areas receive funding for this program. Scholarships are awarded to individuals who apply in their state or area for a period of not less than one or more than four years during the first four years of study at any institution of higher education eligible to participate in the program.
FY 2012
- No awards were made in FY 2012.
FY 2011
- No awards were made in FY 2011.
FY 2010
FY 2009
FY 2008
FY 2006
FY 2005
FY 2004
FY 2002 – FY 2003
Performance Reports
Performance reports are mailed annually from the Department to the state education agency’s contact person.
Funding Status
FY 2012
This program was not funded in FY 2012.
FY 2011
The Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (P. L. 112-10) passed by Congress provides funding for the Department of Education for the remainder of Federal Fiscal Year 2011. That law specifically provides that no funds will be provided for the Byrd Honors Scholarship program this fiscal year. Therefore, the Department will not provide any funds to state agencies for scholarships this year. For information about other sources of federal student aid, please visit http://studentaid.ed.gov.
Additional budget information..
FY 2010
Number of new scholarships: 7,348
Total new scholarship funding: $11,022,000
Number of NCC scholarships: 20,652
Total NCC scholarship funding: $30,978,000
Total program funding: $42,000,000
Total number of scholarships: 28,000
Scholarship amount: $1,500
FY 2009
Number of new scholarships: 7,373
Total new scholarship funding: $11,060,000
Number of NCC scholarships: 19,721
Total NCC scholarship funding: $29,582,000
Total program funding: $40,642,000
Total number of scholarships: 27,094
Scholarship amount: $1,500
FY 2008
Number of New Scholarships: 6,731
Total New Scholarship Funding: $10,098,000
Number of Continuation Scholarships: 20,124
Total Continuation Scholarship Funding: $30,186,000
Total Program Funding: $40,283,730
Total Number of Scholarships: 26,855
Scholarship Amount: $1,500
FY 2007
Number of New Scholarships: 6,362
Total New Scholarship Funding: $9,543,000
Number of Continuation Scholarships: 20,698
Total Continuation Scholarship Funding: $31,047,000
Total Program Funding: $40,590,000
Total Number of Scholarships: 27,060
Scholarship Amount: $1,500
FY 2006
Appropriation: $40,590,000
Number of New Awards Anticipated: 57 awards to states support 27,114 scholars
Average Scholarship: $1,500
FY 2005
Appropriation: $40,672,000
Number of Scholarships: 27,060
Average Scholarship: $1,500
FY 2004
Appropriation: $40,758,100
FY 2003
Appropriation: $40,734,493
FY 2002
Appropriation: $41,001,000
FY 2001
Appropriation: $41,001,00
Legislation, Regulations, and Guidance
Legislation
- Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended, Title IV, Part A, Subpart 6, Secs. 419A-419K
- 20 U.S.C. 1070d-31—1070d-41
Regulations
Resources
Contacts
State Contacts
Students must contact the state education agency in their state of legal residence for additional information.
State Education Agency Contacts
Key Staff
| ED Program Contact | Darryl G. Davis; darryl.davis@ed.gov; (202) 502-7657 |
| Mailing Address | U.S. Department of Education, OPE Higher Education Programs, State Service Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program 1990 K Street, N.W., 6th floor Washington, DC 20006-8544 |
| Main Telephone | (202) 502-7500 |
| Fax | (202) 502-7877 |
Express Mail Delivery* Only
Darryl G. Davis
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program
K Street Location, 6th Floor
Washington DC 20202
Telephone: (202) 502-7657
* Effective April 8, 2011 all express mail packages must be sent to a central U. S. Department of Education location for security screening and tracking before transfer to other headquarters buildings. Please direct express mail packages being delivered to program by UPS, FedEx, DSL, and similar carriers to the express mail address indicated.
Information:
Gender: All
Country: USA
State: All
Grade level: Senior
GPA: 3
Need or Merit: Merit
Race: All
Ethnicity: All
Religion: All
Major: n/a
Veterans: Yes
Employment: No
Community Service: No
For more information you can check website link: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/iduesbyrd/index.html
