INFORMATIONAL

  Under separate cover, materials describing the Byrd Honors
  Scholarship Program are being sent to the principals 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 1998-99 academic year. A
  prompt response from each school is important to the program's
  success. We are asking that all applications be mailed from
  the central office and postmarked no later than March 31,
  1998. We hope that this process will help local divisions
  adhere to the chart on page 2 of the packet, which indicates
  the maximum number of applications each division may submit.

  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 manner 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.

  Please contact Vernon L. Wildy at (804) 225-2877 or Sheryl
  Smith at (804) 225-2071 if you have questions regarding the
  program.

  JLD/eh

  Attachments: A hard copy of this memo and its attachments
                 will be sent to the superintendent's office