Section 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.Added by Laws 2022 , ch. 52, § 1, eff. 7/1/2022.