HB0057

Creates the Hathaway private post secondary institution scholarship program to provide up to $500 per semester to eligible students attending accredited private post secondary institutions in Wyoming.

• Establishes the Hathaway private post secondary institution scholarship and defines eligible institutions as state-accredited private post secondary degree-granting institutions authorized to operate in Wyoming under W.S. 21-2-401 through 21-2-407, including those exempt from licensure, that offer certificates or degrees. (W.S. 21-16-1313(a))
• Sets scholarship eligibility requirements including a minimum 3.5 high school GPA, a standardized test score at or above the 79th percentile rank, and completion of success curriculum requirements, with exceptions for home-based education and high school equivalency certificate holders. (W.S. 21-16-1313(d))
• Limits awards to a maximum of $500 per semester for up to eight full-time semesters, with a cap of 200 students receiving scholarships, and makes awards contingent on available funds in the Hathaway scholarship expenditure account. (W.S. 21-16-1313(b), W.S. 21-16-1313(e))
• Requires the department to promulgate rules for implementing the scholarship program in consultation with private institution admissions and financial aid officers, establishing application procedures and continuing eligibility requirements. (W.S. 21-16-1313(f))
• Requires applicants to verify under penalty of false swearing that they have not been convicted of a felony in Wyoming or another jurisdiction. (W.S. 21-16-1313(f)(ii))
• Directs school districts to provide official transcripts to the department upon student request and requires transcripts to designate courses satisfying success curriculum requirements. (W.S. 21-16-1313(f)(iii))
• Establishes procedures for preliminary and final eligibility determinations based on high school GPAs from various transcript submission points and requires the department to certify scholarship amounts to the state treasurer for payment to institutions. (W.S. 21-16-1313(f)(iv), W.S. 21-16-1313(f)(v))
• Requires private post secondary institutions to report the same information required of other eligible institutions under existing Hathaway scholarship provisions and requires the department to submit annual reports to the governor and legislature.