Hathaway increase looks to be 5 percent

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - An agreement reached between Senate and House members would provide a 5 percent increase in the Hathaway Scholarship award.

When Senate File 55 was originally proposed, it contained a 10 percent increase.

The Senate cut that to 5 percent, while the House stuck with the 10 percent.

However, House negotiators conceded the 5 percent on Tuesday. The Senate approved the agreement, while the House is expected to act on the agreement Wednesday.

Supporters of the higher amount say the scholarship fund can handle the 10 percent increase. However, members of the Senate questioned whether the 10 percent increase would jeopardize the fund in the long run.

The idea behind increasing the award is to keep pace with rising college tuition and fees.