Ellbogen Opportunity Scholarship starts this fall, providing scholarship support for adult students

Cheyenne, WY – Returning to college as an adult can be incredibly daunting, especially for those questioning how to afford school in addition to the reality of living expenses. It often can be a question of making hard choices that leaves behind those students interested in going to school or finishing a degree. 

The Ellbogen Opportunity Scholarship helps remove these barriers. This scholarship gives adults the opportunity to complete a college degree or certification in several fields. Available for two academic years (2021-22, and 2022-23).

To qualify for this scholarship program, applicants must: 

• Be 24 years of age or older,

• Have demonstrated Wyoming residency for not less than three years immediately preceding the application,
• Preference should be given to students who have not already earned an associate degree or higher,
• Have completed and filed a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) for the academic year for which the student is applying for a scholarship and has unmet financial need.

To remain eligible for the scholarship, students need to:

• Make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate as determined by the community college,
• Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5, evaluated at the end of each academic term.

Applicants must enroll in one of the more than 20 qualifying programs, several of which are available online. A full list of available programs and scholarship details can be found at lccc.wy.edu/opportunity.

The Ellbogen Opportunity Scholarship is intended to demonstrate how an adult-based scholarship program can re-engage adults into higher education as a strategy for raising educational attainment in Wyoming. Higher education attainment has become essential for personal and societal mobility, and experts estimate that the majority of jobs in the future will require education and training beyond high school. 

This aid will fill gaps in funding after other available non-loan financial aid is used and will allow a student to cover expenses related to the total cost of attendance, which includes tuition and mandatory student fees as well as course fees, transportation, housing, sustenance, books and child care.  

Funding is permitted for credit certificates, associate and applied baccalaureate degree programs with high-demand employment opportunities as identified by each of the Wyoming Community Colleges. Funding is available for students who enroll in courses starting in the fall of 2021, with a limited number of scholarship available to award.

This scholarship program at LCCC is made possible by a grant of $100,000 from the John P. Ellbogen Foundation. The Ellbogen Foundation will also be providing the Ellbogen Opportunity Scholarship at other Wyoming Community Colleges to provide a state-wide educational impact.

To apply for Ellbogen Opportunity Scholarship, students can contact the LCCC Student Hub at 307.778.1265 or visit lccc.wy.edu/opportunity to learn more about the scholarship and access the appropriate application forms.