The Hathaway Scholarship is one of the programs that are relatively easy to win; the cash prize is great, the benefits are tempting, and the trouble you go through to apply for the scholarship is minimal. With the semester pay of about $1,500 for the honorary recipients, the Hathaway scholarship is worth trying.
The scholarship was founded to help Wyoming’s students prepare for and pursue their post-secondary education. The scholarship has its roots in Governor Stanley Hathaway’s 1974 decision to create the state of Wyoming Permanent Mineral Trust Fund. The fund’s income would support state government operations – including higher education in Wyoming. The Hathaway Scholarship is, however, only tenable in the state.
The Hathaway Scholarship program has turned Governor Hathaway’s dream of building a better Wyoming into a reality by making attending college possible through merit- and need-based scholarships for Wyoming high school graduates who are qualified.
At the end of this article, you will be properly equipped to not just apply for the Hathaway Scholarship, but also win it. We have provided tips that were carefully researched, important resources we think you may need and provided answers to questions that may later brew. Do have an enlightening time reading.
THE HATHAWAY SCHOLARSHIP: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Hathaway Scholarship helps students attend college by helping to pay for tuition. This scholarship can be used at the University of Wyoming or at any of Wyoming’s Community Colleges. It is mandatory that the university or post-secondary institution is within the state of Wyoming.
There are four tiers of the Hathaway Scholarship, plus a need-based scholarship that supplements these merit-based awards. These include the honours award which is worth $1,680, the performance award which is worth $1.260, the opportunity award and the provisional awards which are worth $840, individually. It should be said that these awards are paid per semester.
ABOUT THE STATE OF WYOMING
Wyoming is located in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. By area of land, it is the 10th largest state, it is also the least populous and least densely populated state in the contiguous United States.
Wyoming is bordered by Montana to the north and northwest, Utah to the southwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho to the west, and Colorado to the south. As of 2020, the population of Wyoming, the host state of the Hathaway Scholarship, was 576,851 at the United States Census, making it the least populated United States state. The state capital and the most populous city is Cheyenne in Wyoming, which, in 2018, had an estimated population of 63,95.
Wyoming is covered by ranges, rangelands of the Rocky Mountains, and the High Plains. Unlike the rest of the country, it is drier and windier.
FIELD OF STUDY
The Hathaway Scholarship can be used to study any course of your choice in any of the eligible post-secondary institutions in the state of Wyoming.
ELIGIBLE NATIONALITY
To be eligible for the scholarship, you must be a citizen of the United States at the time of application. Legal residents of the United States, both permanent and temporary, are also welcome to apply.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Every Wyoming middle and high school student is automatically eligible for the Hathaway Scholarship. To win the scholarship, they must maintain certain GPA scores and meet certain class requirements throughout high school in order to graduate with it. Students who are homeschooled in Wyoming also qualify for the scholarship. Please find below the requirements as applicable:
- You must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Depending on the tier of the Hathaway Scholarship you plan to apply for, the GPA requirement can go from 2.5 to 3.5.
- You must sit for the ACT and have a minimum score of 17. Just like the GPA requirement, an ACT score of 25 is required for the honours award.
- You must be enrolled in Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science in your high school and must have been for a number of years. Please kindly check here to read the specifics.
In the case you are homeschooled, you must meet the following requirements to qualify for the scholarship:
- Apply for the Hathaway scholarship before your 21st birthday.
- Have an ACT score (or WorkKeys for the Provisional Opportunity).
SCHOLARSHIP WORTH
The worth of the Hathaway Scholarship differs depending on which of the tier you won. Below are the four tiers with their different cash prizes. You should note that the requirements for these tiers differ.
- Honors: $1,680 per semester.
- Performance: $1,260 per semester.
- Opportunity: $840 per semester.
- Provisional: $840 per semester.
HOW TO APPLY
You do not apply for the Hathaway Scholarship. By being enrolled in a high school in Wyoming, you are automatically considered for the scholarship if you meet the basic requirements.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
There is no deadline for the Hathaway Scholarship.
TIPS TO WIN THE SCHOLARSHIP
- Improve your reading, writing, and math skills. Also, take Algebra 1 or a foreign language class in 8th grade.
- Work for A’s and B’s and join a school club or an athletic team.
- Participate in GEAR UP programs.
- Ask your counsellor what courses you can take to use for your Hathaway Scholarship.
- Talk to family, friends, and teachers about your college plans and ask questions to discover what may be right for you!
- Apply for the need-based Hathaway Scholarship.
BENEFITS OF THE SCHOLARSHIP
- The scholarship gives you a financial cushion. You can afford a lot more with scholarships.
- You do not have to worry about work. This is because your expenses are covered for some time with the scholarships.
- Winning the scholarship is a prestige. You can boast about the scholarship as it is a big deal in Wyoming.
- Hathaway Scholarship is a symbol of your relevance in the community.
SUMMARY
KEY TAKEAWAYS
How to Apply: You do not apply for the Hathaway Scholarship. By being enrolled in a high school in Wyoming, you are automatically considered for the scholarship if you meet the basic requirements.
Supporting Documents: No supporting document is required.
Basic Requirements: To be considered for the Hathaway Scholarship, you must be enrolled in a high school in Wyoming. Should you be homeschooled, you are also eligible for the scholarship.
Language Requirement: Sufficient understanding of the English Language.
IMPORTANT RESOURCES
Hathaway Scholarship official website: Visit here.
Admission Hathaway Scholarship: Visit here.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Administrator: State of Wyoming.
Departments: All departments.
Renewable: Yes.
Nationality: Domestic.
Language requirement: Applicants must have a sufficient understanding of the English Language.
FAQS
What is the Hathaway Scholarship?
The Hathaway Scholarship helps students attend college by helping to pay for tuition. This scholarship can be used at the University of Wyoming or at any of Wyoming’s Community Colleges. It is mandatory that the university or post-secondary institution is within the state of Wyoming.
Who runs the scholarship?
The scholarship is run by the state of Wyoming.
How can I apply for the scholarship?
You do not apply for the Hathaway Scholarship. By being enrolled in a high school in Wyoming, you are automatically considered for the scholarship if you meet the basic requirements.
What course can I study with the scholarship?
The Hathaway Scholarship can be used to study any course of your choice in the state.
Is the scholarship renewable?
Yes, it is renewable. You will receive the awards per semester.
What are the requirements to be eligible for the scholarship?
To be considered for the Hathaway Scholarship, you must be enrolled in a high school in Wyoming. Should you be homeschooled, you are also eligible for the scholarship.
Can I apply for the scholarship if I am a freshman at a university?
No, high school students in Wyoming are considered for the Hathaway Scholarship, but not freshmen who are enrolled in universities.
Must I understand the English Language to apply for the scholarship?
Yes, you need to.
Is the scholarship need- or merit-based?
There are four Hathaway Scholarships that are merit-based. A single one is need-based, however. It is meant to supplement the merit awards.
What are the documents I have to submit?
There are no documents to be submitted.
Where can I use my Hathaway Scholarship?
The Hathaway is exclusive to the State of Wyoming and can be used at any of the seven Wyoming Community Colleges and the University of Wyoming.
Does the state of Wyoming offer any other scholarships other than the Hathaway Scholarship?
No. There are many different scholarships that are out there, but none like this one. The state of Wyoming only offers the Hathaway Scholarship.
Do I have to be a degree-seeking student to receive my Hathaway Scholarship?
Yes, students must be degree or certificate-seeking.
Do I need to apply for the FAFSA to be eligible for the Hathaway Scholarship?
No. However, if you are applying for the need-based Hathaway, then yes, you will need to apply for the FAFSA.
I plan to take my first year after high school to travel, work, or take classes from an out-of-state college, will I still qualify for the Hathaway Scholarship when I get back?
As long as you apply for the Hathaway Scholarship within 48 months of your graduation date and are still considered a resident of Wyoming, you will still qualify for the Hathaway Scholarship.
Do I have to pay taxes or claim the Hathaway Scholarship on my taxes?
Only scholarship dollars that exceed the cost of attendance are taxed as income. Typically, this does not happen with the Hathaway Scholarship, but each post-secondary institution sends out a tax form with the scholarship totals for all students for their tax records. To know if scholarship dollars are taxable, students need to consult that form, a tax preparer, or their post-secondary institution.
What is the Wyoming residency requirement?
In addition to specific Hathaway Merit Scholarships eligibility requirements, you must demonstrate Wyoming residency, which is determined by the post-secondary institution.
CONCLUSION
Hathaway Scholarship gives an early promise of financial aid to high performing students who double as residents of Wyoming. When you have a stellar academic performance in your high school, you stand a chance of winning the Hathaway Scholarship which has four tiers.
As a supplement to the merit-based scholarship, there are need-based scholarships as an icing. The funds from the scholarship are paid to your account per semester.
We hope the information you have found here is enough to help you win the scholarship.