Hathaway Award Increase Approved

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Recipients of Wyoming's state-funded college scholarship will see an increase in their awards under a bill approved by the Legislature.

The bill provides a 5 percent increase in the Hathaway Scholarship awards to help make up for rising college tuition and fees. The Hathaway Scholarship award hasn't been increased since it was first started in 2006.

The measure now goes to Gov. Matt Mead.

The bill originally contained a 10 percent increase, but the Senate cut it in half over concerns that the scholarship fund may not be able to handle the 10 percent increase in the long run.

Supporters of the legislation say some increase is better than none and they hope to look at more increases in the future.

The scholarship is awarded based on academic performance.