Wyoming Student Grants for College

Fund Your Education with Free Grant Money

Wyoming, arguably one of the most beautiful states in the union, is home to Yellowstone and Grand Teton Natioal Parks, Devils Tower, Fossil Butte and six national forests.  A picturesque state nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, it is a great place to see the natural beauty our country has to offer while pursuing a secondary education. By being the first state to allow women to vote, it earned the nickname of the Equality State, which is just one example of the colorful heritage students will enjoy  as well.

Also known as Big Wyoming and the Park State, it is one of our largest states, with the smallest population. Over 50% of the state is covered with parks. As a result, post secondary schools and aid are limited, but the state still offers a variety of higher education institutions including the University of Wyoming, Wyoming Catholic College, Casper College, Central Wyoming College, and Sheridan College to name a few. There are numerous private two and four year schools throughout the state as well. Several state and federal grant programs are available to help with the cost.

Financial Assistance for Wyoming Students

Financial assistance ranging from grants, loans, and scholarships are available for all accredited higher education facilities.

The first step for all future students is to fill out the Federal Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA). All federal and a lot of state need based financial aid, including grants, are determined through the FAFSA.

College Grants

A grant is defined as a monetary gift that does not have to be repaid. In regards to higher education, a grant is money given to a student to assist in covering the expenses of school.

Unlike scholarships, grant money is typically not allocated to cover a specific expense, but rather can be used to cover any expenses associated with obtaining an advanced degree; however, grants are sometimes given in conjunction with specific projects or degree programs.

Benefits of Grants:

• Grants are tax-exempt and are typically given by non-profit organization, with the Federal and State governments being the most frequent grantors for higher education.
• Grants are often given based on need rather than merit and do not generally typically have stringent requirements that students need to fulfill; the exception being grants that are designated for specific programs or projects.
• A grant does not have to be repaid.

State of Wyoming Grants

Leveraging Education Assistance Partnership (LEAP) Grant

• Funding: Up to $100-$2,500
• Eligibility: Financial Need (Expected Family Contribution less than $3,850 as defined on the FAFSA)
• How to Apply: Apply through the financial aid office of the school

Athletic Grants-In-Aid at the University of Wyoming

• Funding: varies
• Eligibility: Financial Need and athlete at the University of Wyoming
• How to Apply: Contact the Athletic Department at the University of Wyoming

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Grant

• Funding: Varies
• Eligibility: Meet state guidelines to qualify for Vocational Rehabilitation
• How to Apply: Apply through the financial aid office of the school or contact the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services

Wyoming National Guard Education Assistance Plan Grants

• Funding: 100% tuition and fees for all courses leading to one degree
• Eligibility: Active Wyoming National Guard member
• Other Requirements: Continue to meet academic and service commitment requirements. Serve in the guard two years after earning their degree.
• How to Apply: Contact the Wyoming National Guard at 800-832-1959, ext. 5262, the UW Outreach School at 800-448-7801, or the UW Office of Student Financial Aid at 307-766-3016.

Vietnam Veterans Awards

• Funding: up to 10 semesters of free tuition
• Eligibility: Activity military service between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975.
• How to Apply: Contact the office of Student Financial Aid at your school.

Wyoming’s Investment in Nursing/Education Program

• Funding: varies
• Eligibility: Works like a loan forgiveness program, reducing payments for working as a nurse/teacher in Wyoming after graduation.
• Other Requirements: Be accepted into one of the nursing/education programs.
• How to Apply: Complete the FAFSA and contact the head of the program at your school.

Wyoming Space Grant Program Undergraduates

• Funding: Up to $5,000
• Eligibility: Interest in conducting research in science, math, engineering or technology Fellowship grant based on providing opportunity for student research
• Other Requirements: Enrolled and in good standing at a Wyoming higher education school. U.S. Citizen. Have a faculty supervisor
• How to Apply: Application available online.

Wyoming Space Grant Program Graduates

• Funding: Stipend $13,500 for M.S. or $18,000 for Ph.D. plus all tuition and fees
• Eligibility: Conducting independent research as part of an M.S. or Ph.D.
• Other Requirements: Enrolled and in good standing at a Wyoming higher education school. U.S. Citizen. Have a faculty supervisor. Proposal written by the student for funding
• How to Apply: Application available online

Federal Grants

In addition to grant funding available through the state of Wyoming, the Federal government also offers student grants. Federal Financial Aid is available by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The federal grants available are:

Pell Grants

• Funding: up to $5,500/year
• Eligibility: Undergraduate student with no prior degree. Amount determined by financial need, cost of school, and enrollment status.
• How to Apply: Complete the FAFSA

TEACH Grant

• Funding: Up to $4,000/year
• Eligibility: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Enrolled in participating undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or graduate student postsecondary educational program.
• Academic Eligibility: about 75th percentile on college admissions test or maintain a GPA of at least 3.25. Sign a TEACH grant agreement per the requirement below.
• Requirements: Teach full time in a high needs/low-income K-12 public or private school in a high need field. Teach for four academic years within eight years of completing degree program. Failure to meet teaching requirements will result in the grant being converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan.
• How to Apply : complete the FAFSA, and contact your financial aid office for more information.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grand (FESOG)

• Funding: $100-$4,000/year
• Eligibility: Exceptional financial need/lowest expected family contributions defined by the FAFSA. Amount of grant is determined by the following: when you apply, financial need, school funding and financial aid policies.
• How to Apply: Complete the FAFSA

Academic Competiveness Grant (AGC)

• Funding: $750/1st year; $1,300/2nd year
• Eligibility: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Receive Federal Pell Grant.
• Enrolled at least part time in a degree program. 1st or 2nd year undergraduate student.
• Completed a rigorous secondary program defined by one of the following: Advanced or honors programs established by the state, two course in International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programs with score of 4 or higher, two courses Advanced Placement courses with a score of 3 or higher.
• Three years of math, including algebra I and a higher level class such as algebra II, geometry, or data analysis and statistics;
• Three years of science, including one year each of at least two of the following courses: biology, chemistry, and physics;
• Three years of social studies; and
• One year of a language other than English.
• 2nd year: have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the 1st year of undergraduate study
• How to Apply: Complete the FAFSA

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant

• Funding: up to $4,000/year
• Eligibility: Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Be a 3rd or 4th year undergraduate student. Minimum of half time enrollment.
• Eligible for Federal Pell Grant. Majoring in physical, life, or computer science, mathematics, technology, engineering or a critical foreign language. GPA of at least 3.0 in major course work.
• How to Apply: Completed the FAFSA and contact the institutes financial aid office.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

• Funding: up to $5,500/ year (equivalent to Pell Grant Amount)
• Eligibility: Not eligible for the Pell Grant. Parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died during services performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001. Under 24 years old, or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of the parent/guardian’s death
• How to Apply: Complete the FAFSA and contact the institutes financial aid office

The focus of this page is to provide information on grant opportunities available for students attending school in Wyoming. However, it is important to note that there are a number of other financial assistance opportunities available to those wishing to seek higher education. Students can obtain scholarships, loans, or complete a work study program.