Western Governors University to Offer Indiana Community College Grads Tuition Discounts and Scholarships

New agreement between WGU and Indiana's Ivy Tech Community College provides credit transferability, reduced tuition, and application fee waiver

SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Completing a bachelor's degree just became more affordable for graduates of Indiana's Ivy Tech Community College, thanks to a new agreement with Western Governors University, www.wgu.edu. Under the terms of the agreement, Ivy Tech graduates who have completed their associate degrees are eligible for an application fee waiver, a 5 percent discount on WGU's already-affordable tuition, and a generous transfer policy. In addition, the online, competency-based university is earmarking ten scholarships valued at up to $2,000 each for qualified Ivy Tech grads.

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Western Governors University is a private, non-profit university designed for working adults who are committed to advancing their careers by completing a bachelor's or master's degree. Its online, competency-based approach is both flexible and challenging. WGU offers more than 50 degree programs in high-demand career fields, all designed by industry experts to meet the needs of employers.

Tuition at WGU is roughly the same as a state college or university, less than $5,500 per year for Ivy Tech graduates enrolling in most bachelor's degree programs. WGU's terms are six months long and can start at the beginning of any month. Because WGU uses a competency-based approach students progress in their degree programs by demonstrating their knowledge through tests and other assessments rather than logging time in class. Students who can commit extra time to their studies may be able to complete their degrees in less time, which can also save tuition costs. In addition to the scholarships for Ivy Tech grads, WGU offers a number of other scholarship programs as well as financial aid. For more information, go to http://www.wgu.edu/tuition_financial_aid/scholarships.

In addition to discounts, the Ivy Tech/WGU agreement has established a transfer policy that affords Ivy Tech graduates upper division standing when they enroll. Actual credits awarded vary by degree; additional details are available on WGU's website.

"As we strive to create a seamless education system for Hoosiers, we are grateful to have yet another wonderful transfer option for our students," said Ivy Tech Community College President Thomas J. Snyder. "Each year, thousands of Ivy Tech students transfer their associate degree to a 4-year college in pursuit of a bachelor's degree.  Our additional agreement with Western Governors University will create endless opportunities for our students wishing to expand their education beyond a 2-year degree."

About Western Governors University (WGU)

"[WGU is] the best relatively cheap university you've never heard of." – TIME magazine

Recently featured on the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, WGU is the only university in the U.S. offering competency-based degree programs and the only non-profit, fully online university in the country. WGU offers degree programs in Business, Education, Information Technology, and Healthcare Professions, including Nursing. Since its inception in 1997, WGU has grown into a national institution, serving more than 17,000 students in all 50 states.  

WGU is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). WGU's Teachers College is the first and only exclusively online provider of teacher education to receive accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). WGU nursing programs have been accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The university has earned the support of more than 20 leading corporations and foundations. They include institutions such as AT&T, BearingPoint, Dell, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Lumina Foundation, Hewlett-Packard, HCA, Microsoft, Oracle, Qwest, SunGard Higher Education, Sun Microsystems, and Zions Bank. More information is available at www.wgu.edu.

About Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College is the state of Indiana's largest public post-secondary institution and the nation's largest singly-accredited statewide community college system with more than 130,000 students enrolled annually.  Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana.  It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana.  It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. More information is available at http://www.ivytech.edu/.

SOURCE Western Governors University