(a) The higher education governing boards shall designate an existing scholarship selection agency or panel to select the recipients of West Virginia engineering, science and technology scholarships from among those applicants who meet eligibility criteria set forth in subsection (b) of this section. If no such agency or panel exists, the higher education governing boards shall appoint a scholarship selection panel for this purpose which shall consist of seven persons representative of West Virginia engineering, science and technology higher education administrators and educators, with a minimum of one voting member representing community colleges, and one member representing West Virginia engineering, science and technology professionals.
(b) To be eligible to receive a scholarship under the provisions of this article, applicants must meet the following conditions:
(1) Be a United States citizen or resident alien who meets the definition of an eligible noncitizen under federal Title IV requirements;