Brown and Gold Commitment

NON-RESIDENT | New FIRST-Time STUDENTS

This information is for the Fall 2025/Spring 2026 academic year. Unless otherwise noted, awards listed are for the academic year and not by semester.

The University of Wyoming is committed to the success of students from outside Wyoming. That's why we're proud to offer the Brown and Gold Commitment, an annual renewing financial pledge to new first-time non-resident students. This Commitment is a merit-based financial pledge determined by a student's cumulative unweighted* high school GPA and composite test scores** (ACT or SAT), and it has four levels of support paid annually: $12,000, $8,000, $5,000, or $3,000.

Students must be degree-seeking through UW's Laramie or Casper campuses. UW Online students are not eligible for these scholarships. (This is effective for fall 2025 new admits; current recipients and/or recipients currently deferring will be permitted to complete their remaining terms of use in accordance with the published Terms & Conditions.)

The Brown and Gold Commitment is offered as a placeholder and will be funded annually with individual scholarships that are made possible through the generosity of UW Foundation donors and/or other institutional aid. Funding of this Commitment is contingent on the annual completion of the general application and any applicable recommended applications within WyoScholarships UW's scholarship system.

The Brown and Gold Commitment normally cannot be combined with any additional institutional scholarship aid, including those made possible by the UW Foundation.

International Students: Visit the International Brown and Gold Commitment page.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Students: Those residing in a WUE state/location should review UW's eligibility requirements for that award. If not eligible, they will be considered for a Brown and Gold Commitment.

Transfer Students: New first-time non-resident transfer students will be considered for the Pokes Transfer Commitment as they do not qualify for the Brown and Gold Commitment.

Please note: All University of Wyoming financial awards are only available to eligible admits. The awards are subject to available funding and the approval of the UW Board of Trustees; they reserve the right to change said rates at any time.

*Weighted GPA: Effective for spring 2025 new admits, new first-time students can request we consider their high school weighted GPA for initial eligibility if the Commitment has not already disbursed to them. They will be required to submit an appeal for this request.

**Test-Optional: New first-time students will be reviewed using the test-optional dollar amount. Students who submit ACT or SAT test scores will then be evaluated to determine if both cumulative unweighted* high school GPA and test scores make them eligible for a possible higher tier.

NEXT STEPS 

• • Apply for admission  and submit the non-refundable $40 admission application fee.
  • Submit official high school transcripts.
  • Submit test scores. (Refer to Test-Optional footnote under the grid above.)
  • Students selected to receive the Brown and Gold Commitment must confirm their enrollment at UW:
    • May 1, 11:59 p.m. MDT - for students beginning in the fall semester.
    • January 5, 11:59 p.m. MST - for students beginning in the spring semester.

Our office will consider final high school transcripts and/or test scores as long as they are received no later than the first day of class of a student's incoming semester. This applies to students who have confirmed enrollment by the above deadlines. Increases are subject to available funding.

RENEWING REQUIREMENTS

The Brown and Gold Commitment is renewable for up to 8 semesters (4 academic years) or completion of first bachelor's degree, whichever comes first.

• • Students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative UW GPA (evaluated at the end of each spring semester).
  • Students must maintain full-time continuous enrollment (a minimum of 12 semester hours) during the fall and spring semesters, with successful completion of a minimum of 24 credit hours each academic year.
  • Study abroad students must be enrolled in a 4001 level study abroad course, with tuition billed by UW for their commitment or scholarship to pay. If you enroll in a non-exchange program, you will waive that semester of commitment or scholarship eligibility.
  • Eligibility for the Brown and Gold Commitment will be reviewed at the end of every spring semester; therefore, enrollment during summer session(s) following the spring review is not included.
  • If the Brown and Gold Commitment is lost for not maintaining minimum requirements, it cannot be reinstated even if the requirements are met at a later date.
  • Details regarding the requirements to receive and renew the Brown and Gold Commitment are documented in the Terms & Conditions.

Brown and Gold Commitment and GED Applicants

The Brown and Gold Commitment provides one of four amounts annually for non-resident freshmen based on their overall GED score and composite test scores (ACT or SAT). This is for students that have taken the GED after 2014. The same considerations and eligibility requirements described above apply.