§ 21-16-1905 — Administration; rules and regulations

(a) This article shall be administered by the commission
in consultation with the University of Wyoming in accordance
with the following:
(i) Students may apply for scholarships under this
article with the eligible institution at the time of applying
for admission or in any event before the beginning of the
academic term at the eligible institution. The application shall
contain information as required by rule of the commission;
(ii) Each eligible institution receiving an
application from a student applying for a Wyoming's tomorrow
scholarship shall preliminarily determine the student's
eligibility for the scholarship. Each eligible institution shall
certify to the commission by dates prescribed by rule, a list of
students who qualify for a scholarship under this article;
(iii) The commission shall establish by rule
procedures and criteria for the application, notification of
students and the award of scholarships in accordance with this
article. The rules adopted by the commission shall ensure
students receive notice of a scholarship award in a timely
manner to ensure students are able to make informed decisions
about the financial obligations associated with attendance at an
eligible institution;
(iv) If the market value of the Wyoming's tomorrow
scholarship endowment fund has once exceeded fifty million
dollars ($50,000,000.00) and funds are available within the
Wyoming's tomorrow scholarship expenditure account, the state
treasurer shall pay from the Wyoming's tomorrow scholarship
expenditure account amounts necessary for all awarded
scholarships as reported by the commission. For each subsequent
semester, the commission shall determine and certify to the
state treasurer the amount that is equal to seventy-five percent
(75%) of the total amount the eligible institution received
during the preceding semester under this subsection. Not later
than thirty (30) days after the commission has certified
participation and notified the state treasurer, the state
treasurer shall pay from the expenditure account the amount
certified. The commission shall review the lists provided under
paragraph (ii) of this subsection, determine whether there is
any duplication of students, and determine and certify to the
state treasurer the balance of the amount due under this article
to each institution for the semester. For any duplication, the
commission shall determine whether the student is attending more
than one (1) eligible institution. If the student is attending
multiple eligible institutions, payment of the Wyoming's
tomorrow scholarship for which the student qualifies shall be
made only to the institution designated as the home institution
by the commission. The state treasurer shall pay from the
expenditure account the balance of the amount due not later than
seventy-five (75) days after the institution's semester has
commenced. Payments to the university shall be made directly to
the university. Payments to the community colleges shall be made
directly to each college and be reported by the state treasurer
to the commission. Should a prepayment under this paragraph
exceed the amount actually due to the institution for any
semester, the excess amount shall be calculated by the
university and commission and deducted from the next payment
made under this paragraph.
(b) The commission shall promulgate rules necessary to
implement this article in consultation with the University of
Wyoming, the department of workforce services, the Wyoming
business council and other stakeholders, including industry
representatives. The rules shall provide for a preference to
award scholarships which considers workforce shortages and
economic development needs of the communities, regions and the
state. First preference shall be given to students who received
a scholarship under this article in the immediately preceding
academic term and remain eligible to receive a scholarship under
W.S. 21-16-1904(c). Second preference shall be given to students
who have secured an industry sponsorship. Preference may be
given to students based on the length of their Wyoming
residency. Preference may be given to students without a degree.
(c) The commission shall establish annual reporting
procedures for purposes of policy analysis and program
evaluation and providing accurate data to the legislature and
governor relative to the program's impact on the state and on
students. The report shall include information about how the
commission awarded scholarships, the amount each eligible
institution received, the number of applicants at each eligible
institution and the number of students that received
scholarships under this article at each eligible institution.
The report shall also include the number and type of degrees or
certificates awarded to scholarship recipients. The commission
shall submit the annual report to the governor and the
legislature in accordance with W.S. 9-2-1014.
(d) The department of audit may conduct an audit at any
time of the commission or any eligible institution participating
in the scholarship program under this article to determine
compliance with any provision of this article.