Wyoming Catholic College in Lander has decided not to offer federal grants and loans to its students. It says doing so could threaten the school’s religious liberties.

Last year, the small, 8-year-old college took its first step toward accreditation. The move meant credits earned at W-C-C could be transferred to other schools—and made it eligible for federal loan programs.

But the college’s Board of Director’s voted unanimously last month not to participate in those programs—known as Title IV.

WCC President Kevin Roberts says that decision came after a task force studied the issue for six months and found that the risks were too great.  

“The strings attached to that money would allow the federal government to invoke an interpretation of Title IX, in particular concerning transgendered persons and people with a same-sex attraction who want to bring a certain activity or activism to our college—either as students, or as employees—or—and this is very troubling for us—even people who want to use our restroom facilities and dorms,” Roberts says.

Most Catholic colleges in the country do participate in the federal loan program.

Roberts says WCC has been running a self-funded loan and grant program for years, and that will continue. Tuition, room and board there costs about $28,000 per year.