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Officials outline Wyoming’s Tomorrow scholarship, explain interim 'Kickstart' awards
Summary
Sandy Caldwell told the Council Wyoming's Tomorrow needs a $50 million endowment to operate permanently; the legislature seeded $10M and later added $20M, and a $1.25M 'Kickstart' appropriation will allow near‑term higher‑education awards while the endowment grows.
Sandy Caldwell, executive director of the Community College Commission, briefed the Workforce Development Council on the Wyoming's Tomorrow scholarship and related interim funding steps. The scholarship is designed to expand access to postsecondary credentials for adult learners (24 and older), embedding supports from Wyoming Works and recognizing non‑credit, industry‑recognized credentials.
Caldwell traced the program’s history: the state began work on attainment goals in 2010, codified plans in 2019–2020, and passed the Wyoming's Tomorrow scholarship in 2022. The permanent scholarship requires a $50 million endowment; Caldwell said the legislature seeded the fund with $10 million and later appropriated $20 million through a supplemental, bringing the endowment to $30 million toward the $50 million statutory threshold.
Because an endowment must reach $50 million before permanent awards can be made, the commission designed a temporary program—branded "Kickstart Wyoming's Tomorrow"—to deliver similar scholarships using $1.25 million appropriated for the current fiscal year. Caldwell said Kickstart is intended to avoid confusion for students while the endowment grows and to provide immediate aid to adult learners.
Council members asked about marketing and long‑term sustainability. Caldwell said the commission adopted rules and guidance, worked with the Department of Workforce Services on Wyoming at Work integration, and convened financial aid and marketing staff across institutions. She cited data provided by a foundation partner that showed strong persistence gains for low‑income recipients in earlier funding pilots.
Director Kolie (Department of Workforce Services) explained that county workforce centers will provide counseling and job‑matching for scholarship recipients, and staff said the commission will continue to seek legislative and private support to reach the endowment target. Caldwell and staff urged council members to help spread awareness through local networks and schools.
The Council did not take a funding vote specific to Wyoming's Tomorrow at the meeting; members requested follow‑up data on outcomes and marketing reach.
