The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) is granting an exception for cause to all Hathaway Scholarship recipients who do not meet satisfactory academic progress due to courses dropped on, or after, March 13, 2020.

Hathaway Scholarship recipients must maintain their scholarship by making satisfactory academic progress, which includes earning 12 credits
a semester for full-time students and six credits a semester for part-time students. W.S. 21-16-304(c)(i) and 21-16-305(b)(i) allow the WDE to grant an exception for cause.

Chapter 38 rules on the Hathaway Scholarship Program define “good cause” as the existence of unusual and extraordinary circumstances that affect a student’s ability to meet eligibility requirements.

Governor Mark Gordon signed an executive order declaring a State of Emergency in Wyoming on March 13 in response to the nationwide coronavirus pandemic. The University of Wyoming and all Wyoming community colleges ceased on-campus courses and activities and transitioned to virtual courses where possible.

The WDE considers this to be good cause to grant an exception to the satisfactory academic progress requirements for credits earned during this semester.