AT&T and Western Governors University Launch New Scholarship Program for Native American Community Members

AT&T Foundation Funds 30 Scholarships at Online University

SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Online, non-profit Western Governors University, www.wgu.edu, has launched a new scholarship program aimed at helping members of Native American communities earn a college degree thanks to a $150,000 contribution from the AT&T Foundation. The program will offer 30 scholarships, valued at up to $5,000 each, to Native Americans and their spouses living in 19 U.S. states as well as individuals who are working to make an impact in Native American communities.

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Western Governors University offers more than 50 accredited bachelor's, master's, and post-baccalaureate online degree programs in Business, Information Technology, Teacher Education, and Healthcare, including Nursing. WGU's online, competency-based academic model is designed for adult learners who are motivated to continue their education.

"We are proud to support education efforts across the country, including our tribal communities.  By funding these scholarships, we hope to make the dream of a college education more affordable and accessible for members of Native American communities," said L.J. Godfrey, Vice President, AT&T External Affairs-Western Region. "AT&T has supported WGU almost since its inception, and we believe strongly in the mission of the university as it makes learning accessible to students across the U.S."

Scholarships will be awarded at the rate of $1,000 per six-month term, renewable for up to five terms. To be eligible, applicants must be a member or spouse of a member of a Native American tribe or must live and/or work in a Native American community in one of the following states:

All WGU undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible. Applicants must be new students who have been admitted to the university, be able to demonstrate financial need, and submit a written essay that expresses their hope to impact their Native American community. Scholarships are competitive and will be awarded based on eligibility requirements, candidate academic records, and readiness for online study at WGU. For more information, go to http://www.wgu.edu/natamscholarship  or call 1-866-225-5948 (866-CALL-WGU).

About Western Governors University (WGU)

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

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 20,000 students in all 50 states. WGU is self-sustaining on tuition, and does not rely on state or national support to fund its operations.  

WGU is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). WGU nursing programs have been accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 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).

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

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse^® and AT&T - DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE^® magazine.

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About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2009, more than $155 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.

SOURCE Western Governors University