Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program
Offered by West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission · Free to apply
The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program is West Virginia's most generous teaching scholarship, worth up to $10,000 a year for four years, or $40,000 in total, toward tuition, fees, room and board and other approved costs. It is a competitive award for high school seniors and recent graduates with strong academics, community service and extracurricular involvement who want to teach math, science, elementary education or special education in West Virginia. Up to 25 new scholars are chosen each year from a national applicant pool, so students from other states can apply; 26 seniors were selected in 2026. Recipients attend a West Virginia public or private nonprofit college with an approved teacher preparation program, are paired with a practicing teacher mentor, and commit to teach in one of those fields in West Virginia for at least five years after graduating. The three-step application starts with a preliminary application in the state's WVSAM portal, open October 1 to March 1, and the FAFSA is required before the second round.
Other deadlines near this one
- American Legion Auxiliary Children of Warriors National Presidents' ScholarshipDue March 1, 2027 · $5,000
- American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year ScholarshipDue March 1, 2027 · $10,000 (winner); $2,500 (3 runners-up)
- Arkansas Governor's Distinguished ScholarshipDue March 1, 2027 · Up to $10,000 a year for 4 years ($40,000 total)
How hard is the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program to win?
Real competition, but not a lottery. The time cost is low enough relative to the award that a qualified student comes out ahead by applying.
- Estimated odds
- roughly 1 in 8 applicants
- Modelled applicant field
- ~200 students
- Awards each cycle
- 25
- Payoff per hour of work
- $237 / hr
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- Fewer rivalsOpen only to West Virginia residents
- Fewer rivalsAn essay is required, which filters out casual applicants
- Fewer rivalsRecommendation letters are required, a step many applicants skip
- Fewer rivalsAn official transcript is required
- Fewer rivalsRestricted to specific intended majors
- Fewer rivalsOpen to a single grade level only
- More rivalsA five-figure award attracts a bigger field
How Solyo estimates this: We model the applicant field from how narrow the eligibility rules are, then divide the awards available by that field. Requirements such as essays and recommendation letters improve a serious applicant’s odds, because most browsers never complete them. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Must be a resident of West Virginia
- Must attend a college in West Virginia (the award does not travel out of state)
- Open to high school seniors
- Planning to study Education or STEM
- Must commit to teach math, science, elementary or special education in West Virginia for at least five years after graduation
- Must attend an eligible West Virginia college with an approved teacher preparation program
- Open to applicants from any state (national applicant pool)
Personalized matching
Does your student actually qualify?
Not sure your student clears every rule above? Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
What the application takes
- Essay required.
- 1 letter of recommendation. Ask teachers or counselors early; good letters take time.
- Transcript required. Request it from the school registrar ahead of the deadline.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is March 1, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around March 1 each year. Applications open October 1. Submit the preliminary application early: it is reviewed on a rolling basis, and the FAFSA must be done before round two.
- Preliminary application opens in WVSAM
- October 1, 2026
- Preliminary application deadline (reviewed on a rolling basis)
- March 1, 2027
- Scholars announced
- Late May 2027
Free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge a fee. We use your student's information only to build their plan.
Common questions about the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program
How much is the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program worth?
The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program awards up to $10,000 per year for four years ($40,000 total) and is renewable in later years. 25 awards are made each cycle.
When is the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program deadline?
The current deadline is March 1, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around March 1 each year. Applications open October 1. Submit the preliminary application early: it is reviewed on a rolling basis, and the FAFSA must be done before round two.
When do Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program applications open?
Applications open October 1, and close March 1, 2027. Submit the preliminary application early: it is reviewed on a rolling basis, and the FAFSA must be done before round two.
Who is eligible for the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of West Virginia; Must attend a college in West Virginia (the award does not travel out of state); Open to high school seniors; Planning to study Education or STEM.
Does the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program require an essay?
Yes. The application requires an essay, 1 recommendation, and a transcript. Expect to spend about 8 hours on it.
How hard is it to win the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program?
Solyo estimates the odds at roughly 1 in 8 applicants, against a modelled field of ~200 students. The pool stays that size because open only to West Virginia residents and an essay is required, which filters out casual applicants. At 8 hrs of work, that is about $237 of expected value per hour. This is an estimate from award structure, not a published acceptance rate.
Is the Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program free to apply?
Yes. The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
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Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.