Wyoming Community College Commission

The Wyoming Community College Commission oversees the state's seven community college system and manages Wyoming's financial aid for college.

Unlike most state education departments, the Wyoming Community College Commission does not manage a need-based state grant program.

It does have some scholarship opportunities, targeted state college loans and student loan forgiveness programs.

Wyoming is a member of WICHE- the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. This is a group of 15 states who offer reduced tuition costs to out-of-state students. Wyoming students who enroll in an approved program in one of these states pay only 150% of resident tuition.

WICHE offers degree programs at all levels. Students also benefit by being able to enroll in programs that are not offered in Wyoming.

All state programs require students to fill out their FAFSA. Check your Wyoming FAFSA deadline.

Wyoming Community College Commission Scholarships

Most Wyoming students will qualify for these awards. There are three levels with both need-based and merit-based components.

1. Opportunity level: requires a 2.5 GPA and a minimum ACT of 19
• award is $800 per semester
• additional need-based aid for this level is 25% of unmet need ($100-$750)
• requires a college GPA of 2.25 to keep the scholarship
2. Performance level: requires a 3.0 GPA and a minimum ACT of 21
• award is $1,200 per semester
• additional need-based aid for this level is 25% of unmet need ($100-$750)
• requires a college GPA of 2.50 to keep the scholarship
3. Honors level: requires a 3.5 GPA and a minimum ACT of 25
• award is $1,600 per semester
• additional need-based aid for this level is 100% of unmet need ($100 minimum)

Wyoming County Commissioners’ Scholarships

Three students from each county in the state are chosen each year for these scholarships.

• award is tuition reduced by $500 per semester at Wyoming's community colleges of the state university
• criteria for being chosen includes: GPA, ACT and extra-curricular activities- a failing grade on a math or English placement exam will be disqualifying
• Hathaway scholarship recipients can receive Commissioners' scholarships (but Commissioners' scholarships will be calculated for unmet need).

Superior Student in Education Scholarship Program

Up to 16 scholarships per year will be awarded to students who will enter a teacher education program at the University or one of the community colleges.

• award is $500 per semester for up to 10 semesters (no more than 5 at a community college)
• selection criteria includes: a 3.5 GPA, 1120 combined SAT or 25 ACT, courses completed, extracurricular activities and question responses
• recipients must remain enrolled full-time and maintain a 2.75 GPA for renewal (temporary withdrawal will count as a semester of use)
• scholarship application letter

Veteran's Tuition Programs

For Vietnam veterans, surviving spouses and surviving dependents:

• Free tuition and fees
• eligibility requirements

For overseas combat veterans, surviving spouses and surviving dependents:

• Free tuition and fees
• eligibility requirements

Wyoming National Guard Educational Assistance Plan:

• full tuition and fees at an approved school
• may be combined with the GI bill

Wyoming Army National Guard Tuition Assistance Program (TA)

• up to 75% of the cost of tuition, or up to $85 per credit (undergraduate) or up to $170 per credit (graduate), whichever is less at a Wyoming public school
• may not be used with the GI bill in the same semester

Wyoming Community College Commission College Loans for Students

These are undergraduate and graduate nursing student loans for up to the cost of attendance (minus other aid).

• The nursing loan repayment rate is the prime interest rate + 4%.
• Wyoming offers nursing student loan forgiveness in exchange for working in the state:
• as a nurse, for an undergraduate loan; or
• as a nurse educator, for a graduate loan
• College loan forgiveness is offered at the rate of one year of full-time employment for one year of full-time enrollment or $12,000 of the loan (whichever is less).

Wyoming Teacher Shortage Loan Repayment Program (TSLR Program)

This program is available to students enrolled in education programs leading to certification in special education, mathematics, or science, foreign language, or eligibility for an additional endorsement to teach reading or English as a second language, and who are at least juniors in college.

• Loans are available for two years, except for special education certification, which is available for three years.
• The loans are for unmet financial need (up to $6,000 per loan).
• The teacher loan repayment rate is the prime interest rate + 4%.
• Teacher student loan forgiveness is available for these loans. The loans are forgiven at a rate of one year full-time employment (with 50% of the time as a certified teacher in special education, mathematics, science, foreign language, reading or English as a second language) for each year of full-time enrollment.

Wyoming's Veterinarian Loan Repayment Program

This program provides college loan forgiveness to veterinarians licensed to practice in the state of Wyoming, who practice food animal veterinary services for a minimum of 3 years.

The Wyoming Livestock Board contracts with eligible veterinarians and will pay up to 100% of outstanding educational loans (maximum $30,000 per year).