WGU Announces New Scholarship for Students in Need of a 'Lifesaver'

SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the millions of Americans with some college credit but no degree, finally finishing that bachelor's or master's degree can truly be a lifesaver. But many students enroll in college only to find themselves in need of rescue once again—from rising tuition rates, excessive loan debt, unemployment, or, recently, college closures. Western Governors University (www.wgu.edu), an online university recognized for its quality and affordability, is offering those students a lifeline: the WGU Lifesaver Transfer Scholarship.     

Valued at up to $3,000 per student, this scholarship has been created for individuals who face challenges, such as unemployment, financial hardships, or the closure of their current college—challenges that transferring to WGU can help them overcome. The scholarship will be applied at the rate of $750 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms, toward WGU's tuition of about $3,000 per term. Up to 10 scholarships will be awarded, and applications are currently being accepted at www.wgu.edu/lifesaver.  

"Many WGU students and alumni have told us that finding WGU has been a 'lifesaver,'" said Nick Rothacher, WGU's Scholarship Program Manager. "This scholarship is aimed at helping students get the extra push they need to overcome obstacles and finish a degree."

To be eligible for the Lifesaver Transfer Scholarship, applicants must be able to meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Unemployment
• Financial hardship
• Closure of current college or university

Interested students must submit an application for admission and be accepted to WGU, submit their previous transcripts, and complete an interview with a scholarship counselor.

WGU offers more than 50 bachelor's and master's degree programs in business, information technology, K-12 teacher education, and health professions, including nursing. The online university uses an innovative approach to learning called competency-based education, where students earn their degrees by demonstrating mastery of subject matter. Designed to meet the needs of adult learners, competency-based education allows students to take advantage of prior learning and experience to move quickly through material they already know so they can focus on what they still need to learn. WGU faculty members work one-on-one with students, offering guidance, support, and individualized instruction. While WGU's degree programs are rigorous and challenging, competency-based learning makes it possible for students to accelerate their progress to their degrees, saving both time and money. For more information about WGU, visit www.wgu.edu.

While multiple scholarships will be awarded, the Lifesaver Transfer Scholarship is a competitive program. Scholarships will be awarded based on the student's academic record, readiness for online study, and current competency, as well as other considerations. The application deadline is November 30, 2014. For more information about the Lifesaver Transfer Scholarship, visit www.wgu.edu/lifesaver.

About Western Governors University
Recognized by the White House as an example of what works in postsecondary education, WGU was established in 1997 by a bipartisan group of U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education. The nonprofit, online university, now with more than 47,000 students and 36,000 graduates, has been named one of Fast Company's "Most Innovative Companies for 2013," and featured on NPR's "All Things Considered," NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, CNN's "Schools of Thought," and in The New York Times.

Western Governors University has partnered with five states to establish state-based universities aimed at adding affordable capacity to state higher education systems. WGU Indiana, WGU Missouri, WGU Tennessee, WGU Texas, and WGU Washington are key elements in their states' strategies for increasing the percentage of adults with bachelor's or master's degrees. These state-endorsed universities offer degree programs that are accredited through WGU.

WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The university has earned the support of more than 20 leading corporations and foundations, including AT&T, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lilly Endowment, HCA, Hewlett-Packard, Lumina Foundation, Microsoft, Oracle, SunGard Higher Education, and Zions Bank. For more information, visit www.wgu.edu or call 866.225.5948.

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Contact for media inquiries:
Joan Mitchell – VP of Public Relations
801-428-5463
[email protected]

Contact for enrollment information:
866-225-5948
www.wgu.edu

SOURCE Western Governors University