Legislature adopts a budget with WAVE

The Workforce Board has announced the 2010 WAVE winners.
(Names in legislative district order)

The delay in the announcement was necessary to provide time for the Legislature to act on the budget that would determine the WAVE funding for this year.

The Legislature approved a budget April 12, 2010. The Governor signed the budget on May 4. This new budget:

• Funds current WAVE scholarship recipients based on the 2009-10 tuition rates.
• Reduces the number of monetary awards for the 2010-11 year to one student per legislative district.
• Calls on the Workforce Board to issue WAVE awards to up to three students per district (as is the practice), recognizing that only about a third of the winners will be able to receive a monetary award during the upcoming state budget year .

At this time, the current and proposed supplemental and 2011-2013 budgets do not fund any additional new WAVE scholarships. However, current state law still directs the Workforce Board to designate and recognize recipients of this award.

The 2011WAVE is worth pursuing. Even without an accompanying monetary scholarship, WAVE recipients are recognized by colleges, universities and employers as hard working, achievement-oriented leaders who excel both in school and outside the classroom. This award demonstrates they are among the best and brightest.