INFORMATIONAL

 Under separate cover, materials describing the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship 
Program are being sent to the principal of each high school, headmasters of 
accredited nonpublic secondary schools, and directors of adult education.  The 
Virginia Department of Education is requesting these persons to assist in securing 
applications from seniors who wish to be considered for college scholarships offered 
by the U. S. Department of Education for the 2000-2001 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, 2000.  We hope that this process will help school divisions adhere 
to the chart on page iii of the packet, which indicates the maximum number of 
applications each division may submit.

The purpose of the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program is to award 
scholarships to graduating seniors of public and private secondary schools or to 
students who have the equivalent of a high school diploma.  The applicants must show 
promise of continued outstanding academic achievement.  Byrd scholars shall be 
selected in such a way that all areas 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/VLW/eh
Enclosure