Universities Weblog

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission has settled a lawsuit with a Mormon student over whether or not he can defer the state's Promise Scholarship until after he returns from missionary service.

David Haws sued the state after in July because he was denied the scholarship at West Virginia University. Haws graduated college in 2005 and, at the time, was eligible under the state's Promise Scholarship Program for a full tuition scholarship at WVU. Instead of attending college, Haws spent time working as a missionary - as the Church of jesus christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormon church) encourages its members to do.

Because a number of states have programs similar to the West Virginia Promise Scholarship Program, this case could have national impact. The American Civil Liberties Union worked with Haws on the case, according to Financial Aid News.

When Haws tried to enroll at WVU and use his scholarship this fall he was denied the financial aid. In August, the U.S Justice Department filed a brief siding with Haws. That brief offered the opinion that West Virginia would be violating Haws' First Amendment right to freedom of religion if it denied him the scholarship now.

West Virginia has agreed to let haws use the scholarship he cold have had in 2005. The state has also changed its policy and will let students take a leave of absence to participate in "volunteer activities" in the future. And West Virginia will pick up the tab for over $12,000 in legal fees.

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