This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards, but it is accessible to any browser or Internet device.

Skip Navigation skip menu and banner
University of Wyoming

HATHAWAY BILL FACT SHEET

 

    The State of Wyoming recognizes the continually increasing value of a highly educated work force.  Aside from the obvious personal economic benefits, there are far reaching societal implications related to economic development and diversity. 

    The Fifty-Eighth Wyoming Legislature has paid a good deal of attention to the issue of college participation in Wyoming.  Currently, 52% of Wyoming high school graduates enter college immediately after graduation.  This figure is below the national average of 56% and well below top performing states where the number is around 67%.  In an effort to make postsecondary education more attractive for Wyoming citizens, the Legislature passed Senate File 122 in the 2005 General Session.  A component of that legislation established the Hathaway scholarship endowment account to provide funds to “make undergraduate postsecondary education in Wyoming as free as possible to Wyoming high school graduates.”

    Senate File 122 also established an “Education Merit Scholarship Committee” consisting of legislators; representatives of business, higher education, and Wyoming K-12 education; and one representative of the public.  The goal of the committee is to make recommendations to the Wyoming legislature for future legislation, to be known as the Hathaway scholarship program.  Although no specific legislation has been crafted to date, it is useful to outline some of the key facets of the Hathaway program.

What is the amount of financial aid provided by a Hathaway scholarship?

    One of the charges of the scholarship committee is to determine the amount of tuition, fees, and other education related payments that can be sustained from anticipated earnings from the student scholarship endowment.  There are multiple variables affecting this calculation including the proposed dollar amount of the scholarship, the length a student can retain the scholarship, and an estimate of the number of students qualifying and choosing to use the scholarship.

How is the program funded?

    Funds derived from federal mineral royalties will flow into the Hathaway scholarship endowment until the account balance reaches $400 million.  Oversimplified, 79% of one-third of the federal mineral royalties received by the State in excess of $200 million in any fiscal year will be deposited to the scholarship account.  Currently, the projected amount flowing to the scholarship for the fiscal year biennium ending FY06 is $85 million.

When will the program begin?

    An implementation date for the program shall be no later than the first school year after the scholarship endowment account contains at least $400 million.  The legislature may choose an earlier start-date by direct funding of the program.

Who qualifies?

    The Hathaway scholarship is intended to make higher education affordable for Wyoming residents.  There are a host of unanswered questions regarding general qualifications including definitions of residency, traditional (recent high school graduates) versus nontraditional students, part-time students, waivers for military service, etc. 

Is there a merit component to qualifying?

    Senate File 122 created the Education Merit Scholarship Committee.  There is no question that the Hathaway bill will contain merit provisions to qualify for the scholarship.  Merit criteria for initial qualification may include high school grade-point-average (GPA), standardized tests scores such as the ACT or Wyoming PAWS, and/or completion of a rigorous core curriculum.  The committee will also provide recommendations for merit criteria to qualify for continuation of awards while in college.  Such criteria may include meeting academic progress requirements, college GPA, etc.

Is there a need-based component to the scholarship?

    The committee has been given the leeway to explore need-based criteria as part of the financial aid package. 

When will we know more?

    The committee shall report its initial findings to the Governor and the Joint Appropriations and Joint Education Interim Committees by November 1, 2005.  If the committee determines modifications to its initial findings and recommendations are appropriate, a second report shall be filed by November 1, 2006.

Who is on the committee?

Tex Boggs, Senator and Committee Co-Chairman

Steve Harshman, Representative and Committee Co-Chairman

Reed Eckhardt, Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, representing business and industry

Andrew Hansen, University of Wyoming

Tom Kinnison, former State Senator, representing business and industry

Joe Megeath, Central Wyoming College Trustee

Bryan Monteith, Park #6 District Superintendent of Schools

Charles Scott, Senator

Lisa Skiles-Parady, Wyoming Department of Education

Marta Stroock, representing the public

Jeff Wasserburger, Representative