There is no substitute for earning a college education. Not only can you be proud of your accomplishment but you can also actively pursue a career of interest. If you live in the Cowboy State and are afraid that you do not have enough money on your own to enroll in an institution of higher learning then you can apply for public education grants in Wyoming to help absorb some of the costs of a post-secondary education. Please note that in the state of Wyoming all grants (with the exception of the activity grants available through Eastern Wyoming College) are classified as scholarships.
The starting point for applying for a state grant is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Once you have been approved for federal grant money you can then apply to receive state-funded assistance. It is the Wyoming Department of Education that is responsible for all financial aid programs for students.
Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) Scholarships/ Activity Grants
Eastern Wyoming College offers more than 123 different scholarships and activity grant programs to its students. You must visit the website, or speak with a financial aid advisor at your school to find out which options are most appropriate for your situation.
To be eligible for a EWC scholarship or activity grant you first must complete a EWC Application for Admission (which can be printed from the website). You must be able to provide a current high school transcript or a final official high school or GED transcript. You also must be able to produce official transcripts for all colleges or universities that you attended in the past.
The majority of EWC scholarships are not geared towards special programs of study. However there are some that have been created for those students pursuing a major in a specific area. Examples of these areas include agriculture, art, business, criminal justice, education, history, health, psychology and welding.
The eligibility criteria for each scholarship program or activity grant is not the exact same. Some of the criteria that may be significant include credit hours completed, Grade Point Average (GPA), country of residence, high school affiliation and enrollment level. It is essential that you carefully review the eligibility criteria before you apply.
Hathaway Memorial Scholarship
The Hathaway Memorial Scholarship was named for a former state governor in Wyoming. This scholarship is need-based as well as merit-based and is available to all students in the state who have a good GPA, average ACT and SAT scores and can demonstrate the need for financial assistance.
This scholarship provides approximately $1,600 (up to a maximum of $3,000) per academic year for students who qualify to receive it. You must apply for this scholarship through the state university or community college that you are attending.
Superior Student in Education Scholarship
If you are an academically talented student in Wyoming who is planning to study education or are currently pursuing a degree program in this field then you can apply for the Superior Student in Education Scholarship. In order to be approved for this scholarship you must be willing to stay in Wyoming for a specified number of years after your graduation. To be eligible for this financial assistance program your average GPA must be 2.5 and you must be able to maintain it as such. You must have been a resident of Wyoming for five years or more prior to applying for this scholarship in order to be approved.
Wyoming’s Investment in Nursing Program
If you are a Wyoming resident and a nursing student then you can apply for Wyoming’s Investment in Nursing Program. This program offers tuition grants and loan repayment to aspiring nurses in exchange for work in a nursing capacity or in a nurse educator capacity in the state. To apply for this financial aid program you must do so directly through the school you go to. Contact your financial aid office for further information.
County Commissioners Scholarships
Every county throughout the state of Wyoming offers County Commissioners Scholarships to the students living in those counties. In order to receive money from these funds students that apply must do so through the county commission office in the town or city they live in. The sooner you apply the more likely you will be to be given the green light for college money!
