(a) The recipient of a West Virginia engineering, science and technology scholarship is eligible for scholarship renewal if the recipient is:

(1) Enrolled as a full-time student in an eligible institution of higher education;

(2) Pursuing a course of study leading to a certificate, associate or baccalaureate degree in engineering, science or technology or leading to specialized certification as established by industry-based standards;

(3) Maintaining satisfactory progress as determined by the eligible institution of higher education the recipient is attending; and

(4) Complying with any other standards established by the governing boards by rule.

(b) A recipient who violates a scholarship agreement is required to repay the amount of any scholarship award received, plus interest, and, where applicable, reasonable collection fees, on a schedule and at a rate of interest prescribed in the guidelines of the senior administrator. The legislative rules required in section one of this article shall provide for a method of prorating repayment amounts against any amount of the work requirement that has been fulfilled by the recipient.

(c) A recipient is not in violation of the agreement entered into under section three of this article during any period in which the recipient is:

(1) Pursuing a full-time course of study at an accredited institution of higher education;

(2) Serving as a member of the armed services of the United States for a period not in excess of four years; or

(3) Satisfying the provisions of additional repayment exemptions that may be prescribed by the governing boards by rule.

(d) A recipient is excused from repayment of a West Virginia engineering, science and technology scholarship received under this article if the recipient dies or becomes permanently and totally disabled as established by sworn affidavit of a physician qualified to make such a determination as determined by the rules established by the governing boards.

(e) The rules adopted by the governing boards shall provide that the length of the repayment period may not exceed ten years: Provided, That the rules may include provisions under which the senior administrator may, if extenuating circumstances exist, extend the period for fulfilling the obligation to fifteen years.