1. PROGRAM DETAILS
This innovative program is designed to ease transfer from RBC to W&M for high-ability, Virginia residents who are Pell-eligible. The Promise Scholars Program will provide W&M courses at RBC, scholarship funds, guaranteed housing, peer-to-peer support, and mentorship to eligible students who have committed to transferring to W&M. Two W&M faculty members will travel to Petersburg to teach one general education course, COLL 100 or COLL 150, each semester, giving the students the opportunity to experience William & Mary while at Richard Bland.
Beginning this spring, we will recruit 30 students into the Honors Program at RBC to be provisionally accepted as Promise Scholars candidates for fall 2018.
A select 15 of the 30 provisional students will become Promise Scholars in Year 2 (fall 2019) at RBC.
Students will live in the *ASPIRE Living/Learning Community (community will include Honors, Promise Scholars, and international students who are dedicated to academic excellence, service learning, campus engagement, and leadership development)
*Academic Scholars Program in Residential Environments

2. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS A desire to attend William & Mary
Admission into Richard Bland College
Advanced Studies Diploma
3.5+ GPA
Virginia resident
Commitment to live on-campus at RBC and participate in all Honors Program requirements
Pell Eligibility; must complete a FAFSA application each year
Two full years of coursework at RBC and graduation with an Associate's Degree (regardless of the number of transfer credit brought to RBC)
Complete Promise Scholar application - due no later than June 15
To remain eligible for the program, Promise Scholars (provisional and accepted) must meet academic benchmarks, including a 3.25 cumulative GPA and 2.7 GPA in the William & Mary COLL courses.

3. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A completed FAFSA (available on January 1 of the application year) results in an “Estimated Family Contribution” (EFC). This is used to determine the amount of Pell funding each student can receive.
At RBC:
A $2,000 scholarship ($1000 each semester) for being a Promise Scholar candidate
A $1,000 scholarship ($500 each semester) for being a participant in the Honors Program
Guaranteed housing in the ASPIRE Living/Learning Community
Promise Scholar candidates are assured to have 80% of direct costs* paid
*Direct costs include tuition, fees, room and board
At W&M:
As part of the transfer process, Promise Scholars must complete a CSS PROFILE
Aid Package Example
$1,000 Estimated Family Contribution (EFC)
$38,555 in Need
$3,000 Promise Scholar Award $4,970 Federal Pell Grant
$30,585 W&M Need Grant $1,000 Federal Student Loan $39,555 in Total Aid
$39,555(Cost of Attendance)

4. APPLICATION PROCESS
Students will submit the following application materials via an on-line form - Application deadline is June 15
Statement of Intent submitted as a word document, words, single spaced
Prompt – What program of study are you interested in pursuing at W&M and what will you bring to that experience?
Resume or list of extracurricular activities submitted as a word document or PDF
Recommendations from one teacher to be submitted online* (reflects critical thinking, creative problem solving, participation, etc.)
Recommendations from one school counselor to be submitted online* (reflects intrinsic vs extrinsic locus of control, grit, clarity around goals, etc.)
50 students will be forwarded to an interview process
15 minute interviews will be scheduled to take place between June
30 candidates will be notified of their acceptance by July 3
Students must commit to be provisionally accepted as Promise Scholars by July 9
*a link will be sent to complete student recommendations as part of the application process
The results of the application process will be reviewed and ranked

5. EVALUATION PROCESS Faculty or Teaching Staff
Examples of questions include:
Faculty or Teaching Staff
Ability to think creatively as defined by discipline
Quality of written work per discipline standards
Motivation to succeed in college based on personal observation
Capacity for self-reflection and academic improvement per discipline standards
Academic Support Staff or School Counselor
Student takes responsibility for his or her own actions
Student seeks challenges in and outside of the classroom
Student is proactive in reaching academic and career goals
Face-to-Face Interview
Describe a time when you had to be resourceful to complete a class project/assignment.
Tell us about a time you failed or didn't live up to your expectations.  What did you learn and how did you get past it?
What is education and why is it important?
If you were an inanimate object, what would you be and why?

6. COURSEWORK @ RBC Honors Orientation
All Promise Scholars are Honors students and are thus required to complete Honors coursework during their time at RBC. The coursework listed below is part of the total Honors Program curriculum that will be required in order for students to graduate with Honors from RBC.
Honors Orientation
3 ESE (Exceptional Student Experience) Honors Seminars (1 credit each)
Leadership
Experiential Learning
Community Service
Capstone / Transfer
2 "H" Classes (3 credits each) OR W&M COLL courses (Promise Scholars ONLY)
1 ASPIRE presentation designed and delivered to peer group
1 Student Success Module designed to prepare students to serve as peer mentors
to incoming Honors students
1 Individual exhibition at spring RBC Student Expo
100 Campus Engagement Points (at least 25 at the end of each semester)

7. TRANSFER TO W&M
The Promise Scholars Program is one of three opportunities to experience W&M at RBC. Other options include our
Guaranteed Admission pathway for transfer students with a GPA and a recommendation from the Provost, and The Bridge Program. The Bridge Program is a co-enrollment option for qualified students to take up to four classes at W&M and pay RBC tuition. Transportation is provided to W&M twice a week for Bridge students.
Promise Scholars will be guaranteed housing their first year at W&M. Focused attention will be provided to assist their academic and social success on campus via faculty advisors, a career center, and residential counselors. Financial support and college work-study will alleviate the stress associated with cost.
William & Mary has an excellent track record of academic rigor, strong alumni relations, and career preparation. Students attending W&M are focused on scholarship and professional success. If this describes young people you know, please send them our way.