Renewal conditions; noncompliance; deferral; excusal

(a) The recipient of a West Virginia STEM scholarship is eligible for scholarship renewal if the recipient is: (1) Enrolled as a full-time student in an eligible institution of higher education; (2) Pursuing a course of study leading to a certificate, associate or baccalaureate degree in a STEM-related field; (3) Maintaining satisfactory progress as determined by the eligible institution of higher education the recipient is attending; and (4) Complying with any other standards established by the rule authorized by §18C-6-1 of this code. (b) A recipient who violates a scholarship agreement shall repay the amount of any scholarship award received, plus interest, and, where applicable, reasonable collection fees, on a schedule and at a rate of interest prescribed in the rule authorized by §18C-6-1 of this code. The rule shall also provide for a method of prorating repayment amounts against any amount of the work requirement that has been fulfilled by the recipient. (c) A recipient is not in violation of the agreement entered into under §18C-6-3 of this code during any period in which the recipient is: (1) Pursuing a full-time course of study in a STEM or STEM-related field at an accredited institution of higher education; or (2) Satisfying the provisions of additional repayment exemptions that are established by the commission’s rule. (d) The commission may forgive repayment of a West Virginia STEM scholarship received under this article if the recipient dies or becomes permanently and totally disabled as established by submission of a death certificate or sworn affidavit of a physician qualified to make such a determination as set out in the rule authorized by §18C-6-1 of this code. (e) The commission’s rule shall provide that the length of the repayment period may not exceed 10 years: Provided, That the rule may include provisions under which the commission may, if extenuating circumstances exist, extend the period for fulfilling the obligation to 15 years.