This bill establishes the Hathaway private post secondary institution scholarship, aimed at providing financial assistance to eligible students attending state-accredited private post secondary institutions in Wyoming. The scholarship is defined to cover costs associated with obtaining a certificate or degree and is contingent on available funds. Eligibility criteria include maintaining a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 and achieving a specified national percentile rank on standardized examinations. The bill also outlines the application process, which requires students to verify their academic records and felony status, and mandates that the Department of Education promulgate rules for administering the scholarship.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to include private post secondary institutions as eligible for scholarship funds and modifies the reporting requirements for institutions receiving these funds. It specifies that a maximum of $500 per semester can be awarded, with a cap of 200 students receiving the scholarship. The bill also includes provisions for auditing institutions and requires annual reporting to the governor and legislature. The scholarship program is set to sunset on July 1, 2029, unless extended.

Statutes affected:
26LSO-0247 v0.2: 21-16-1301, 21-16-1302, 21-16-1309, 21-16-1311