Senate Education Committee advances increase to Hathaway scholarship awards
February 14, 2026 | Education Committee, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming
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The Senate Education Committee on Feb. 13 advanced Senate File 47, a bill to increase Hathaway scholarship award amounts, after receiving testimony from education officials, college representatives and student advocates.
Chairwoman Schueller introduced the bill and invited representatives from the Wyoming Department of Education. Nish Koikekaleya, the department’s chief policy officer, said Superintendent Degenfelder supports the legislation. The committee discussion emphasized that the bill changes award amounts, not eligibility criteria.
Committee members read proposed per‑semester increases into the record: the Opportunity scholarship rises from about $840 to $1,180; the second tier from $1,260 to $1,770 per semester; and the honors level from $1,680 to $2,360 per semester. Committee materials also show a provisional award increase and a needs‑based award range noted in the draft (the draft text lists a needs‑based annual amount that committee members discussed during testimony).
Laurel Ballard, executive director of the Wyoming Community College Commission, and Mike Smith of the University of Wyoming told senators they would provide updated calculations showing what those higher dollar amounts would represent as a percentage of tuition and fees at their institutions. Ballard cautioned that the increase may affect community colleges and universities differently; Smith said the honors level covered roughly 91% of university tuition in 2007 and is about 40% today.
Student witnesses urged the change. Kelsey Cooper, an ASUW senator at the University of Wyoming, said the Hathaway once covered most tuition and that raising awards would encourage students to pursue higher academic achievement. Dylan Fernholz Hartman, ASUW director of external public affairs, told the committee the current honors award covers about 41% of tuition and that the bill would move that share to about 57%.
Senator Olson moved the bill with a second by Senator Brennan. The committee took a roll call vote and recorded five ayes and no nays; the motion to give Senate File 47 a "due pass" recommendation carried. Chairwoman Schueller asked for volunteers to carry the bill on the floor; Senator Scott agreed to do so.
The committee asked institutional representatives to provide the requested tuition‑percentage calculations by Monday so the full Senate would have updated impact figures before floor debate.
Chairwoman Schueller introduced the bill and invited representatives from the Wyoming Department of Education. Nish Koikekaleya, the department’s chief policy officer, said Superintendent Degenfelder supports the legislation. The committee discussion emphasized that the bill changes award amounts, not eligibility criteria.
Committee members read proposed per‑semester increases into the record: the Opportunity scholarship rises from about $840 to $1,180; the second tier from $1,260 to $1,770 per semester; and the honors level from $1,680 to $2,360 per semester. Committee materials also show a provisional award increase and a needs‑based award range noted in the draft (the draft text lists a needs‑based annual amount that committee members discussed during testimony).
Laurel Ballard, executive director of the Wyoming Community College Commission, and Mike Smith of the University of Wyoming told senators they would provide updated calculations showing what those higher dollar amounts would represent as a percentage of tuition and fees at their institutions. Ballard cautioned that the increase may affect community colleges and universities differently; Smith said the honors level covered roughly 91% of university tuition in 2007 and is about 40% today.
Student witnesses urged the change. Kelsey Cooper, an ASUW senator at the University of Wyoming, said the Hathaway once covered most tuition and that raising awards would encourage students to pursue higher academic achievement. Dylan Fernholz Hartman, ASUW director of external public affairs, told the committee the current honors award covers about 41% of tuition and that the bill would move that share to about 57%.
Senator Olson moved the bill with a second by Senator Brennan. The committee took a roll call vote and recorded five ayes and no nays; the motion to give Senate File 47 a "due pass" recommendation carried. Chairwoman Schueller asked for volunteers to carry the bill on the floor; Senator Scott agreed to do so.
The committee asked institutional representatives to provide the requested tuition‑percentage calculations by Monday so the full Senate would have updated impact figures before floor debate.
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