Section 18C-6-5 - 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.Amended by 2024 Acts, ch. TBD (HB 5153), eff. 5/13/2024.