More Need- and Less Merit-Based Aid at University of Wyoming

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — University of Wyoming trustees have voted to offer more need-based aid to Wyoming students while cutting merit-based aid for out-of-state students.

Under the changes adopted Thursday, annual need-based aid will increase from $273,000 to as much as $1.1 million. Merit-based aid will drop from $5.9 million to $4.5 million.

The Laramie Boomerang reports the changes take effect in 2020.

The university created a five-year strategic plan in 2017 that called for increasing enrollment by more than 1,100. Many of those students have come from out of state while Wyoming loses population and graduates fewer students from high school.

More than half of the freshman class of 2018 came from outside Wyoming.

The decision will likely reverse the university's recent enrollment trends.