INFORMATIONAL

  Under separate cover, materials describing the Byrd Honors
  Scholarship Program is being sent to the principal of each
  high school, headmasters of accredited non-public secondary
  schools, and Directors of Adult Education. The Virginia
  Department of Education is requesting these persons to
  assist in identifying and securing applications from seniors
  who wish to be considered for college scholarships offered
  by the U.S. Department of Education for the 1996-97 academic
  year. A prompt response from each school is important to the
  program's success.
  
  Please note that the Virginia Department of Education has
  not received the grant award for the scholarships, but has
  been advised by the U.S. Department of Education that we
  should proceed with the process. If we wait until the funds
  are awarded, it will be too late to complete the process
  before schools close for the year. There is a possibility
  that funds will not be awarded and we will have to disregard
  all applications. Students should be made aware of this
  before they submit an application.
  
  The purpose of the Byrd Honors Scholarship Program is to
  award scholarships to graduating seniors of public and
  private secondary schools or to those who have the
  equivalent of a high school diploma. The applicants must
  have demonstrated and show promise of continued  outstanding
  academic achievement. Byrd scholars shall be selected in
  such a way that all parts of the Commonwealth are fairly
  represented. We request that you emphasize activities which
  will assure that students from low-income and moderate-income
  families have access to the information about the
  opportunity for full participation in the scholarship
  program.
  
  
  SUPTS. MEMO. NO. 48
  March 1, 1996
  Page 2
  
  Scholarship applications must be received or postmarked by
  March 31, 1996. A statewide committee will select the
  scholarship recipients and notify them prior to the end of
  the current school year provided the Department of Education
  receives the grant award. Please contact Vernon L. Wildy at
  (804) 225-2877 or Sheryl Holland at (804) 225-2071 if you
  have questions regarding the program or wish to receive a
  copy of the application materials.
  
  WCBJr/sh