Hey, Ohio, a deal's a deal

To even suggest that Ohio might not come up with the money to provide promised $500 scholarships to graduating seniors who passed all five parts of the 12th grade proficiency tests is an embarrassment the state doesn't need.
The governor, the state superintendent of public instruction, the leaders of the House and Senate should all go on record immediately to assure those students who earned the scholarships that the money will be there when they head off to college in the fall.
Background: Four years ago, Ohio lawmakers approved a bill to provide $500 college scholarships to high school seniors who passed 12th-grade proficiency exams in reading, writing, math, citizenship and science.
Unlike the 9th grade proficiency tests, which student must take and which they must pass to graduate, the tougher 12th grade test was optional. Recognizing that high school seniors were not likely to line up to take a battery of voluntary tests unless there was some incentive, the lawmakers came up with the idea of $500 scholarships good for any Ohio college or university to every student who passed all five sections of the tests.
That was enough to inspire 96,481 seniors in the state to take the tests, of which 47,141 passed all five sections. In Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties, 2,449 qualified for the scholarships. The Ohio Department of Education would have to come up with about $23.5 million if all those students went to Ohio colleges, which won't happen.
More than likely, the state's going to need about $15 million, but here's the rub: There's no provision in the new budget for the scholarship money. Maybe it was just an oversight, maybe there was some confusion because the test is being phased out after this crop of seniors. Whatever the reason, state officials at the highest levels should make it clear now that Ohio will live up to its responsibilities to these scholarship students.
Look around: As we said, not to do so would be an unspeakable embarrassment. Other states are pursuing much more aggressive scholarship programs. California has made a $1 billion commitment that no graduate of that state's high schools will be turned away from California's colleges because of financial need.
Neighboring Pennsylvania has offered every college student from Pennsylvania up to $9,000 in tuition aid simply for getting good grades, entering a science and technology course of study and agreeing to work for a couple of years in the state after graduation. Pennsylvania's problem is that it can't get enough students to go after the $25 million that has been set aside.
Almost 50,000 Ohio students kept their part of the bargain. It's up to the state to announce unequivocally and quickly that it will do its part.