Wyoming Scholarships

Wyoming ranks at #7 in terms of the best states for education overall and at #2 in higher education specifically. However, there are not many higher education institutes within the region. The University of Wyoming is the one that offers 4-year degrees and is the best option in the state offering a high-quality education. Moreover, there are many scholarship opportunities in Wyoming and the cost of living here is also 7% lower than the national average which makes it an affordable state for students.

Due to a lack of 4-year colleges, there are not many students studying in Wyoming. The state of Wyoming houses around 30,000 students, mostly undergraduates. However, most of these students are pursuing their education with the help of loans and the average student debt in the state equals $30,357. This creates a financial burden on students in the long term. They end up giving up a chunk of their post-graduation income towards repayment of student loans, compromising their living standards. Also, it creates an opportunity cost for the government as it could use the same money it lends in loans towards other facilities like health care and infrastructure. Therefore, it’s best to finance higher education using other financial aid, and scholarships and grants are the best options.

Scholarships are gift money which do not require any repayments. They help students pay for college independently and without getting into further debt. We have listed multiple Wyoming scholarships for students from all backgrounds. Theer are also some tips and tricks suggested to win one and a guide on applying for scholarships in Wyoming.

Wyoming has around 10 colleges and universities, out of which 8 are public institutions and 2 are private colleges. However, there are not many options for trade or vocational schools in the area. Most of the schools are 2-year colleges or community colleges. The University of Wyoming is the best and biggest 4-year higher educational institution in the area. Some other smaller colleges and 2-year institutions include Casper College, Central Wyoming College – Riverton, and Sheridan College.

The University of Wyoming is a public university located in Laramie. It houses more than 8,500 undergraduates and above 2,500 graduates. It has a 96% acceptance rate and popular majors here include Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Psychology, and Elementary Education. It is quite an affordable institution with tuition and fees of $6,938. This is much lower than most good public universities in the country. However, out-of-state students pay around $22,718 for tuition and fees. The university is mostly dominated by a white student population and there is also on-campus housing available for students costing $13,340 per year for the academic year ending 2024.

The University of Wyoming accepts students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for assured admission, anything below that may be considered but with support. It is the biggest higher education institute in Wyoming that offers 4-year degrees and over 80 majors to choose from. They take in new admissions on a rolling basis allowing prospective students to apply anytime for the next available semester. SATs and ACTs are optional for admission here and only considered if provided. However, there is a $40 non-refundable application fee charged of $40.

Other smaller community colleges and 2-year institutions in Wyoming also mostly accept students with a 3.0 GPA. At some colleges like Casper College, the admission process varies depending on the student’s status. Moreover, some programs have stricter and more restrictive admission requirements than others. In general, they accept all high school graduates but those with a GPA under 2.0 are asked to petition for admission.

Wyoming has one of the lowest average in-state tuition costs equal to $4,785. This is considerably lower than the national average of $9,349. The cost of living in the state is also around 7% lower than the national average. Moreover, there are various Wyoming scholarships offered to students who are state residents making education highly convenient to manage financially without loans. This makes Wyoming an affordable state to study in.

Out-of-state students, however, pay higher tuition costs. The University of Wyoming, the only 4-year public university in the state, charges around $22,718 for out-of-state tuition and fees. Nevertheless, these students also have various scholarship options to consider. Some of the best options include the Daniels Scholarship Program, the Alpine Recovery Lodge Bi-Annual Scholarship Essay Contest, and the Harold F. Eppson Memorial Scholarship.

Wyoming has a total college enrolment of around 30,016, of which around 91% are undergraduates. Moreover, the number of females is slightly higher than males as they make up around 54% of the total student enrolment in the state.

White students dominate the total enrolment as they make up almost 74% of the total. The next biggest population is Hispanic students contributing around 3,302 to the overall number. Native Americans follow with close to 500 students. There are also other ethnicities studying in Wyoming like Asians, Black students, and Pacific Islanders but they make up an insignificant percentage of the total student population. Together these three ethnicities make up around 2% of the students.

Wyoming’s total student debt is around $1.7 billion which is spread over 56,000 borrowers. The average student borrower debt is higher than the national average by around 5% and is $30,357.

Out of the student borrowers, around 20.2% owe between $20,000 to $40,000 in debt. This debt sometimes becomes hard to pay back after graduation and students would be better off by taking advantage of all the Wyoming scholarship opportunities available to them before considering loans. Some of these scholarships can help offset the full tuition cost while other smaller scholarships can at least help reduce the amount of student loans required to a great extent.

How To Apply

The following are the main steps to apply for any scholarship:

1. Check Eligibility:

Scholarship websites are the easiest place to find most scholarship opportunities as they list all the available options under one roof. They also list scholarships according to state, college major, demographic, and grade level. You can also filter them according to the parameters provided to narrow down the list. This makes it easier to find scholarships that are best suited to you. Go through the eligibility requirements of the scholarships thoroughly to make sure that you qualify to save time. Some scholarships may be need-based and are awarded based on the financial need of the student, while others may be based on merit.

2. Understand the Application Requirements:

It is important to understand what the scholarship demands for submitting a strong application.

Scholarship applications may require some or all of the following:

• Scholarship Application Form: Scholarship application is unique for each scholarship and is a must to be considered as an applicant. It usually asks for general information about the application like their name, date of birth, education, address, and so on. It may also contain a few short answer questions relevant to the scholarship.
• Essay: Many scholarships require an essay along with the application form. Applicants can make themselves stand out via their essays. Therefore, you should take proper time and put in good effort when writing one. It’s important that your essay is original, and represents your personality and opinions.
• Letters of Recommendation: A letter of recommendation can be written by your personal or professional references. Some scholarships specifically demand letters of recommendation from teachers. The letter contains reasons for why the applicant is a deserving one. It assesses the applicant’s qualities, characteristics, strengths, capabilities, and academic performance, which kind of acts as a character certificate when applying for scholarships.
• Grade Transcripts: Many scholarships whether they are merit-based or need-based usually require school transcripts that show the academic performance of an individual. You can get a copy through your school’s website or the office and attach it to the application form.
• Resume: A resume is where an applicant can highlight their skills and accomplishments. It does not have to have work experience only and can also include mentions of any societies or extra-curricular activities that you have been a part of, and any special courses that you have completed that equipped you with a certain skill.
• Financial Information: Many need-based scholarships may ask you to provide financial information that may include information about your family income and any financial aid that you may have received.
• FAFSA: Some Wyoming scholarships require applicants to apply for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for them. These are mainly need-based scholarships.
• Portfolio or Video Submission: There are a few scholarships that ask for video or portfolio submissions. This usually applies to art major scholarships as videos and portfolios are how an applicant can show their skills. Some scholarships do not have other requirements and are like contests where participants have to make a project and provide a picture or video of it to enter and win.
• School Verification: A school verification letter verifies which school the candidate is attending or has attended, the dates when they started and finished a program, and also includes a list of any certificates or degrees earned.
• Standardized Test Scores: Occasionally, you may need to provide a copy of your SAT or ACT scores. These are standardized test scores that most colleges and universities require for admission.

3. Order scholarships according to submission deadlines:

It is important to arrange the scholarships according to the deadlines to make sure that you take advantage of every opportunity. Timing is very important and the earlier you apply the better it is. It is always wise to start early too because it may take time to complete all the submission requirements like writing essays and getting letters of recommendation in hand. Time should be invested in scholarships that require an essay as it takes a lot of time, planning, and effort to write a good one.

4. Proofread:

Once you have completed your application and the associated requirements, make sure to go through them all thoroughly at least once. You can also get a friend or family member to help you proofread for mistakes and errors.

5. Submit your application:

After you have taken your time filling out the application form, writing the essay, collecting all the required documents, and proofreading – it is time to submit. Most applications now require online submissions and may take a few minutes only if you have everything ready to upload. Keep track of the status of your application process and keep in mind that it may take some time to receive an answer. You may put in a follow-up email if you haven’t received any reply for some time.

Tips For Applying

• Start looking early: Don’t wait until the last minute to look for Wyoming scholarships. Many organizations have deadlines that are months before the school year even starts, so it pays to begin your search as soon as possible. Make sure you research, apply, and submit all necessary documents on time to maximize your chances of winning scholarships.
• Network: Many of the scholarship opportunities come through networking and contacts, so make sure you take full advantage of your connections. Utilize family members, friends, contacts from any organizations or clubs you are part of, and even faculty members at your school to learn about different scholarship options in the area.
• Seek out local scholarships: Many organizations in Wyoming offer scholarships specifically for local students. Look up businesses and community groups in the area, as they often have scholarship programs available. You can also check with your school’s guidance office or college counseling department to see if they know of any opportunities.
• Read the requirements carefully: Once you have a narrowed-down list of scholarships, make sure to read the requirements carefully so you fully understand what is required.
• Do not rush when applying: Take your time and apply early. This allows sufficient time to gather all the required documents and also write a great essay if needed.
• Brainstorm for an essay and outline: If an essay is required, always start with brainstorming, then arrange your ideas and make an outline to follow. Unique, personalized, and lively essays have a better chance of qualifying than general and dull ones. Make sure that you understand the topic before starting.
• Customize application: Some students submit the same application, essays, and letters of recommendation to all organizations. It is better to thoroughly research the organization and what they are actually looking for before and customize your application and essays accordingly. You can also mention what the organization is looking for to people who are writing your recommendation letters so they can make it more relevant rather than general. However, it is important to be honest and avoid including things just for the sake of qualifying and getting a scholarship.
• Check and Proofread: You may be surprised at the amount of grammatical mistakes and other errors that you may come across when rereading your application and essays. Those applicants who submit applications full of errors appear irresponsible and undetermined to scholarship providers.

The Douvas Scholarship is available to high school juniors and seniors. This $500 scholarship is only available to Wyoming residents and the amount can only be used for tuition at the state’s seven community colleges or the University of Wyoming. The scholarship does not specify any major or minimum GPA for eligibility.

High school seniors can apply for all the following scholarships in Wyoming.

1. RMMI Technical Scholarship
2. Daniels Scholarship Program
3. Wyoming Auctioneers Association Scholarship

Most of Wyoming’s higher education enrolments – more than 90% – are undergraduates. The following scholarships can help these students pay for college and avoid loans.

1. Alpine Recovery Lodge Bi-Annual Scholarship Essay Contest
2. ARRL Rocky Mountain Scholarship Program
3. Kenneth and Carrie Carns Nursing Scholarship
4. Troy Yost Memorial Scholarship
5. RMMI Engineering Scholarship

The following are some of the best scholarships for graduate students.

1. ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award program
2. MGMA Western Section Scholarship
3. Alpine Recovery Lodge Bi-Annual Scholarship Essay Contest

Students pursuing education degrees can get help from the following general scholarships available in the state.

1. Douvas Scholarship
2. ARRL Rocky Mountain Scholarship Program
3. Daniels Scholarship Program

Established by the Wyoming Community Foundation (WYCF), the Kenneth and Carrie Carns Nursing Scholarship awards students from high school senior year to the undergraduate level $3,000 to $5,000 for their studies. It is only available to state residents with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and pursuing majors related to healthcare or nursing.

Wyoming Community Foundation funds the Wyoming Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship to support female students of at least 1/8 American Indian descent. It is a $3,000 scholarship that can be used towards tuition or other education-related costs. This scholarship requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 for eligibility and is not limited by the study area.

Many universities and colleges provide merit-based scholarships to their students. The University of Wyoming, Casper College, and Northwest College are a few examples of such institutions.

The University of Wyoming offers various scholarships to their resident new freshmen and most of these opportunities are based on the academic achievement of these students at the time of admission. They offer Cowboy Commitment to students which is based on the cumulative unweighted high school GPA and test scores. It has three tiers with the highest award being $6,500 for GPAs above 3.40, SATs above 1390, and ACTs above 31. Other students with lower scores can get $3,500, $1,500, or $500. There is also a Trustees’ Scholars Award for students with a 3.95 unweighted high school GPA and an average ACT composite score of 32.

Casper College is a community college that has many scholarship options including the Casper College T-Bird Award, Activity and Athletic Scholarships, and Foundation and Alumni-sponsored Scholarships. Their main merit-based award is the Casper College T-Bird Award which is based on cumulative high school GPA and ACT score.

Northwest College also has various scholarships to offer but the ones that are based on merit are Trapper Scholarships. These scholarships have four award levels that are based on the student’s academic achievement. The highest award is the High School Elite award of $4,000 offered to students with a high school GPA of 3.80 and above. Students with a GPA of 3.50+ are eligible to receive the Presidential level award which is equivalent to $3,000. The next level of the Trapper Scholarships is the Excellence reward of $2,000 for GPAs above 3.0, and the final award in the category is called the Access award which gives $1,000 to students with GPAs above 2.00.

The Wyoming Community Foundation is a great resource for Wyoming scholarships. It is a nonprofit charitable foundation that connects donors and communities serves donors and communities to various causes. They have various scholarships listed on their portal some of which are merit-based, some major-specific, and some are related to the educational level of the student. Some of the many scholarships they have mentioned include the Kenneth And Carrie Carns Nursing Scholarship, the Lauren P. Miller Scholarship, and the C. Charles Buchler Education Fund Scholarship.

Students can also find many such opportunities that are available to them through the state’s website – The Wyoming Department of Education. These state-funded scholarships include the popular Hathaway Scholarship which features four-tier merit scholarships ranging from $1,680 to $840, and also a need-based scholarship.

Scholaroo also lists 15 Wyoming scholarships of varying amounts for students studying within the state. Students can also contact their local churches and major-related organizations to find out about the available opportunities or contact the financial aid office of their educational institution.

Wyoming Education Grants are funded by the Wyoming state government to support students or teachers pursuing higher education. Students must apply for FAFSA to qualify for this grant. This grant can help with the financial need to complete their degree or certificates. The amount awarded depends on the financial needs of the students and also the funds available.