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University of Wyoming

SELECTION CRITERIA


How recipients are selected to receive a financial aid award varies from program to program. Below are listed the major considerations for each program. Additional details are listed in our scholarship publication Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at Wyoming Colleges. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required of all applicants seeking federal aid. All applicants are asked to submit the UW Application for Financial Aid. Federal aid applicants must meet all federal aid requirements and provide requested documentation when asked to do so. For more detail, please use the links to other sources or contact a financial aid adviser in our office by phone at 307-766-2116 or by email at finaid@uwyo.edu.

FEDERAL AID

Upon receipt of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) data from the federal processor for an applicant, that person's information is included in a computerized need analysis and financial aid allocation process called "packaging." This process looks at the applicant's need, the applicant's qualifications (class level, residency status, etc.) and the remaining funding available for each program. The process then develops a "package" of financial aid containing a possible mixture of scholarships, grants, work-study allotment, and student loans.

Federal Pell Grants

Awarded to individuals with significant financial need, as reflected by the FAFSA data, who have not earned a first bachelor's degree. The amount of an individual's award is determined by a federal formula based on the individual's Expected Family Contribution. The minimum award is $400 and the maximum award never exceeds more than one half of the Cost of Attendance.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants

Awarded to Pell Grant recipients with the greatest need who have not earned a first bachelor's degree. Limited funds exist, so awards generally are restricted to applicants who apply by March 1 of any given year. To spread our limited funds broadly across the applicant pool, UW limits individual awards to $2000 or less per year even though the federal maximum is higher.

Federal Work-Study Allocation

Awarded to individuals with significant financial need, as reflected by the FAFSA data, whose need has not been met with grants and scholarships. Limited funds exist, so awards generally are restricted to applicants who apply by March 1 of any given year. Junior, senior, and graduate students are generally awarded slightly larger allocations because they have developed more skills and are better able to balance work and study obligations. Awards are made first to first bachelor's degree candidates, then to graduate students, and last to second bachelor's degree students.

Federal Perkins Loans

Awarded to individuals with significant financial need, as reflected by the FAFSA data, whose need has not been met with grants and scholarships. Limited funds exist, so awards generally are restricted to applicants who apply by March 1 of any given year. Awards are made first to first bachelor's degree candidates, then to graduate and professional students, and last to second bachelor's degree students. To spread our limited funds broadly across the applicant pool, UW limits individual awards even though the federal maximum may be higher.

Federal Stafford Loans (subsidized)

Awarded to individuals who have financial need, as reflected by the FAFSA data, and who submit an application to borrow.

Federal Stafford Loans (unsubsidized)

Available upon request to individuals regardless of financial status who submit an application to borrow.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Each scholarship program has its own set of criteria. For specifics of any scholarship program, please refer to our publication Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at Wyoming Colleges.

Normally, all applicants whose application materials are complete and on file with the financial aid office by March 1 have their qualifications reviewed for general scholarship awards. Applicant qualifications are matched to scholarship program criteria to generate a list of eligible applicants. Recipients are selected by various scholarship selection committees with input from the financial aid staff.

In general scholarship recipients are expected to have at least a 3.500 grade point average (GPA) to receive the scholarship. They are normally expected to maintain at least a 2.500 UW cumulative GPA and to complete a full-time course load of at least 12 credit hours each semester. Specific scholarship requirements vary from this standard, however. To learn about a specific scholarship's requirements, please contact our scholarship staff by phone at 307-766-2117 or by email at finaid@uwyo.edu.