Read the full stored bill text
22LSO-0163
2022
STATE OF WYOMING
22LSO-0163
Numbered
2.0
HOUSE BILL NO. HB0028
Hathaway lump sum merit scholarship.
Sponsored by: Joint Education Interim Committee
A BILL
for
AN ACT relating to the Hathaway scholarship program; amending award timing for the Hathaway scholarship program; amending eligibility requirements as specified; amending the calculation of unmet financial need; amending the calculation of scholarship amounts; deleting obsolete language; specifying applicability; repealing provisions; and providing for an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:
Section 1
.
W.S. 21
‑
16
‑
1301(a)(i), (ii) and by creating new paragraphs (xxi) and (xxii), 21
‑
16
‑
1303(b)(iii)(B) and (d), 21
‑
16
‑
1304(a)(i)(intro),
(ii)(intro), (iii)(intro) and (h)(intro), 21
‑
16
‑
1305(a)(i)(intro) and (e)(intro), 21
‑
16
‑
1306 by creating a new subsection (c), 21
‑
16
‑
1307(b)(intro), (d)(intro) and (e)(intro), 21
‑
16
‑
1308(b)(iii)(A) and (iv)(A), 21
‑
16
‑
1309 by creating a new subsection (c), 21
‑
16
‑
1310, 21
‑
16
‑
1312(c) and 21
‑
18
‑
404 are amended to read:
21
‑
16
‑
1301.
Definitions.
(a)
As used in this article:
(i)
"Academic term" means the fall semester or term
,
or
the spring semester or term
, the summer semester or term or other term offered by an eligible institution
.
In this article, "term" and "semester" have the same meaning
;
except that recipients may elect to use the scholarship during summer school, which except as provided by W.S. 21
‑
16
‑
1304(h) and 21
‑
16
‑
1305(e), counts toward the maximum number of terms for which the student is eligible but does not count toward computation of an academic year;
(ii)
"Academic year" means two (2) consecutive
fall and spring
semesters
.
or terms and is the period of time a full
‑
time student is expected to complete the equivalent of at least two (2) semesters of academic work
Unless otherwise excluded under this article, academic year may also include summer term or other terms
;
(xxi)
"Remaining scholarship amount" means the student's total scholarship amount less amounts previously paid on behalf of the student from scholarships under W.S. 21
‑
16
‑
1304 or 21
‑
16
‑
1305;
(xxii)
"Total scholarship amount" means the dollar amount specified under W.S. 21
‑
16
‑
1304 or 21
‑
16
‑
1305 for the scholarship the student is first awarded under W.S. 21
‑
16
‑
1304 or 21
‑
16
‑
1305.
21
‑
16
‑
1303.
Hathaway scholarship program; eligibility requirements.
(b)
Under the Hathaway scholarship program, subject to availability of funds as determined by the legislature,
the state shall provide a scholarship pursuant to W.S. 21
‑
16
‑
1304 and 21
‑
16
‑
1305 to any student who has been accepted by and enrolls in an eligible institution to pursue a degree or certificate, and who meets the following qualifications:
(iii)
The student has:
(B)
Applied for a scholarship under this article within
four (4)
twenty (20)
years of the date of high school graduation, or is otherwise eligible under rules promulgated pursuant to W.S. 21
‑
16
‑
1308(b)(iii) and (iv). The department shall by rule
and regulation
establish exceptions to the requirement of this subparagraph for military service, religious service and other good cause shown; and
(d)
No student shall be eligible for a scholarship under this article
for more than the equivalent of eight (8) full
‑
time semesters.
Except as provided by subsection (f) of this section, no student shall be eligible for a scholarship under this article for any semesters commencing
after
six (6)
twenty (20)
academic years following the student's initial eligibility.
For purposes of this subsection
,
a student's initial eligibility shall be deemed to
commence with the first semester in which the state is obligated to reimburse an eligible institution for the student's scholarship under this article
be the date of the eligible student's high school graduation
.
The department shall by rule
and regulation
establish exceptions to this subsection for military service, religious service and other good cause shown.
21
‑
16
‑
1304.
Hathaway opportunity, performance and honor scholarships.
(a)
Any student who meets the criteria under W.S. 21
‑
16
‑
1303 is eligible to receive a scholarship to pursue a degree or certificate as follows:
(i)
With a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.50 and a score equal to or greater than the 2015
‑
2016 national percentile rank of forty
‑
three (43) on a college entrance examination administered throughout the United
States and relied upon by institutions of higher education to determine acceptance of students for attendance, a Hathaway opportunity scholarship
for:
in a total scholarship amount of six thousand seven hundred twenty dollars ($6,720.00).
(ii)
With a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 and a score equal to or greater than the 2015
‑
2016 national percentile rank of fifty
‑
six (56) on a college entrance examination administered throughout the United States and relied upon by institutions of higher education to determine acceptance of students for attendance, a Hathaway performance scholarship
for:
in a total scholarship amount of ten thousand eighty dollars ($10,080.00).
(iii)
With a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 and a score equal to or greater than the 2015
‑
2016 national percentile rank of seventy
‑
nine (79) on an examination administered throughout the United States and relied upon by institutions of higher education to determine acceptance of students for attendance, a Hathaway
honor scholarship
for:
in a total scholarship amount of thirteen thousand four hundred forty dollars ($13,440.00).
(h)
Notwithstanding subparagraphs (a)(i)(B), (ii)(B) and (iii)(B) of this section,
T
he applicable scholarship amount awarded to any eligible student
under this section
may be available to that student
, upon election,
for enrollment
in up to six (6) semester hours
during any summer academic term or other academic term offered by an eligible institution outside of the regular fall or spring semester
.
, subject to the following:
21
‑
16
‑
1305.
Hathaway provisional opportunity scholarships.
(a)
Any student who meets the criteria under W.S. 21
‑
16
‑
1303 is eligible to receive a Hathaway provisional opportunity scholarship to pursue a certificate or degree as follows:
(i)
With a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.50 and either a score equal to or greater than the
2015
‑
2016 national percentile rank of thirty (30) on a college entrance examination administered throughout the United States and relied upon by institutions of higher education to determine acceptance of students for attendance or a qualifying cumulative score on a career
‑
technical aptitude test as determined by the department, a scholarship
for:
in a total scholarship amount of three thousand three hundred sixty dollars ($3,360.00).
(e)
Notwithstanding subparagraph (a)(i)(B) of this section,
T
he scholarship amount awarded to any eligible student
under this section
may be available to that student
, upon election,
for enrollment
in up to six (6) semester hours
during any summer academic term or other academic term offered by an eligible institution outside of the regular fall or spring semester
.
, subject to the following:
21
‑
16
‑
1306.
Need based scholarships.
(c)
Except as provided in this subsection, no student shall be required by the eligible institution to elect to use a greater portion of a scholarship awarded under W.S. 21
‑
16
‑
1304 or 21
‑
16
‑
1305 in order to decrease the student's unmet financial need. For scholarships awarded under W.S. 21
‑
16
‑
1304 and 21
‑
16
‑
1305 the calculation of unmet financial need shall be in accordance with the following:
(i)
For students receiving the Hathaway honors scholarship, the scholarship amount used to calculate unmet financial need shall be:
(A)
One thousand six hundred eighty dollars ($1,680.00) per semester; or
(B)
The amount provided under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph times a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of hours for which the student is enrolled per semester and the denominator is twelve (12), if the student enrolled at an eligible institution for at least six (6) and less than twelve (12) semester hours.
(ii)
For students receiving the Hathaway performance scholarship, the scholarship amount used to calculate unmet financial need shall be the lesser of:
(A)
The scholarship amount actually used by the student in the semester; or
(B)
One thousand two hundred sixty dollars ($1,260.00) per semester.
(iii)
For students receiving the Hathaway opportunity scholarship, the scholarship amount to calculate unmet financial need shall be the lesser of:
(A)
The scholarship amount actually used by the student in the semester; or
(B)
Eight hundred forty dollars ($840.00) per semester.
(iv)
For students receiving the Hathaway provisional opportunity scholarship, the scholarship amount
used to include of unmet financial need shall be the lesser of:
(A)
The scholarship amount actually used by the student in the semester; or
(B)
Eight hundred forty dollars ($840.00) per semester.
21
‑
16
‑
1307.
Success curriculum; test standards.
(b)
Except as otherwise provided for by law, the success curriculum required to qualify for honor or performance scholarship eligibility under this article
for students graduating from high school in the 2019
‑
2020 school year and each school year thereafter
shall be as follows:
(d)
The success curriculum required to qualify for opportunity scholarship eligibility under this article
for students graduating from high school in the 2010
‑
2011
school year and each school year thereafter
shall be as follows:
(e)
The success curriculum required to qualify for provisional opportunity scholarship eligibility under this article
for students graduating from high school in the 2010
‑
2011 school year and each school year thereafter
shall be the curriculum required for high school graduation under W.S. 21
‑
2
‑
304(a)(iii) subject to the following:
21
‑
16
‑
1308.
Administration and rules.
(b)
The department shall, in consultation with University of Wyoming and community college admissions officers, the Wyoming community college commission and financial aid officers and school districts, promulgate rules
and regulations
necessary to implement this article, including:
(iii)
Criteria and procedures under which students in a home
‑
based educational program can qualify
for scholarships under this article. A student in a home
‑
based educational program:
(A)
Shall make application for an initial scholarship before his
twenty
‑
first
forty
‑
first
birthday;
(iv)
Criteria and procedures under which students who receive a high school equivalency certificate can qualify for scholarships under this article.
A student receiving a high school equivalency certificate shall:
(A)
Receive the certificate and make application for the initial scholarship no later than
four (4)
twenty (20)
years after and no sooner than the graduation date of the student's high school class, unless ordered by a court to complete the requirements for the certificate prior to that graduation date or for other good cause shown as determined by the department.
For purposes of making application prior to the graduation date of the student's class, "other good cause" shall include, but is not limited to, a showing by the student that the student has been emancipated under W.S. 14
‑
1
‑
201 through 14
‑
1
‑
206
or that the student is a parent or a legal guardian of a minor. The student shall have attended an eligible high school prior to receiving his certificate and shall have received his certificate while residing in Wyoming;
21
‑
16
‑
1309.
Scholarship amounts.
(c)
Any student receiving a scholarship under W.S 21
‑
16
‑
1304 or 21
‑
16
‑
1305 may elect to receive all or a portion of his remaining scholarship amount in any semester in which the student is enrolled at an eligible institution.
The election shall be submitted to the eligible institution at the time of enrollment for an academic term.
The eligible institution shall calculate the student's remaining scholarship amount in accordance with W.S. 21
‑
16
‑
1301(a)(xxi) and shall include the amount, as limited in this subsection, in its certification of students under W.S. 21
‑
16
‑
1308.
The department shall review the amount certified for each student and include the amount it determines to be in compliance with this article in its certification to the state treasurer of balances due to each institution under W.S.
21
‑
16
‑
1308(a)(v).
Crediting of a student's remaining scholarship amount under this subsection shall be limited so that the remaining scholarship amount to be credited does not exceed the cost of the student's tuition and mandatory fees for the semester.
21
‑
16
‑
1310.
Legislative oversight and authority.
Nothing in this article shall be construed to constitute an entitlement to a scholarship established and funded by the legislature. Wyoming Hathaway scholarships shall be subject to legislative appropriation and the legislature reserves the right to modify or terminate the program established under this article at any time.
Scholarships awarded under this article shall not be transferred by the student recipient or expended for any purpose except as provided in this article.
21
‑
16
‑
1312.
Hathaway expand Wyoming scholarship; eligibility requirements and conditions; selection.
(c)
A Hathaway expand Wyoming scholarship shall be for the student's cost of attendance at an eligible institution, but not to exceed the maximum dollar amount provided to students receiving a trustee scholarship at the University of Wyoming and subject to reduction in accordance with W.S. 21
‑
16
‑
1309(a). No student shall be eligible for a Hathaway expand Wyoming scholarship for more than the equivalent of eight (8) full
‑
time semesters.
Minimum continuing eligibility and reinstatement eligibility requirements for
A student receiving
a Hathaway expand Wyoming scholarship
shall be the same as requirements for a Hathaway honors scholarship.
These minimum requirements may be increased by rule of the department to requirements no more stringent than those imposed by the University of Wyoming for recipients of a trustee scholarship.
Hathaway expand Wyoming scholarships may be reduced in the same manner and to lower levels as provided for Hathaway honor scholarships for failure to meet continuing eligibility requirements.
who fails to meet the continuing eligibility requirements necessary to maintain that scholarship may be awarded a Hathaway opportunity scholarship if the student meets the
requirements necessary to maintain that scholarship. To remain eligible for the scholarship under this section, the student shall:
(i)
Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25;
(ii)
Enroll in at least twelve (12) semester hours for each spring and fall semester for the duration of the scholarship;
(iii)
Successfully complete at least twenty
‑
four (24) semester hours each academic year.
21
‑
18
‑
404.
Student grants; amounts.
There shall be made available student grants under the Wyoming works program.
The grant amount shall not exceed
the amount provided for two (2) semesters under the Hathaway provisional opportunity scholarship pursuant to W.S. 21
‑
16
‑
1305(a)(i)(A),
one thousand six hundred eighty dollars ($1,680.00)
in any one (1) academic year, unless the credential program is in an economic sector determined
by the commission to fulfill a critical workforce need.
For credential programs in such economic sectors, the grant amount shall not exceed
the amount provided for two (2) semesters under the Hathaway honor scholarship pursuant to W.S. 21
‑
16
‑
1304(a)(iii)(A)
three thousand three hundred sixty dollars ($3,360.00)
in any one (1) academic year.
One
‑
half (1/2) of the annual award shall be provided to the student at each fall and spring academic term of qualification, unless the credential program or course is for a defined period of less than a full semester or the student elects to reserve any portion of the annual award for attendance at a subsequent summer school term.
For credential programs of one (1) term or less, cost of attendance and unmet financial need shall be calculated on a projected annual basis, but the annual award amount shall be provided in full in the term of attendance, on a prorated basis.
Section 2
.
W.S. 21
‑
16
‑
1301(a)(xiv), 21
‑
16
‑
1303(e)(vi) and (f), 21‑16‑1304(a)(i)(A), (B), (ii)(A), (B), (iii)(A), (B), (b) through (g) and (h)(i) through (v), 21
‑
16
‑
1305(a)(i)(A), (B), (ii), (iii), (b) through (d) and
(e)(i) through (v), 21
‑
16
‑
1307(c) and 21
‑
16
‑
1308(b)(v) are repealed.
Section 3.
For any student who received a Hathaway honors, performance, opportunity or provisional opportunity scholarship before the effective date of this act and who continues to have eligibility for the scholarship, the student shall continue to receive the scholarship pursuant to Title 21, Chapter 16, Article 13 of the Wyoming Statutes as in effect on June 30, 2025.
Section 4.
This act is effective July 1, 2025
.
(END)
1
HB0028