First responders protect our communities, uphold the law, and save lives.
In honor of the sacrifice our nation's first responders and their families make, we are proud to offer the First Responders Scholarship to EMTs, police, firefighters, corrections officers, and their spouses. This scholarship, worth up to $2,500, can be applied to any of WGU's bachelor's or master's degree programs in business, IT, K–12 education, or healthcare.
WGU offers online, accredited degree programs, built to be flexible so they fit the lives of busy, working adults . You can complete most coursework any time or place that works for you. And because our programs are competency-based, you can finish most courses as quickly as you master the required material. WGU students are able to get their education in a way that works for them, and leads to greater success in their careers.
The results speak for themselves: In a 2020 Harris Poll survey, WGU graduates reported an average increase in income of $12,300 within two years of graduation, compared with their pre-enrollment salary. Within four years of graduation, the average income increase for WGU grads was $21,800, compared with a national average of only $11,500.
Scholarship details:
Scholarship valued up to:
$2,500
This scholarship will be credited to your account at the rate of $625 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms.
Interested in this scholarship? The first step is to apply for admission.
Deadline for application:
12/31/19
Before you can apply for this scholarship, you must first apply for admission.
Already applied for admission? Apply for scholarships on the Scholarship Portal.
Other scholarships available:
20+
This scholarship is one of many. Through the generosity of numerous corporations and foundations, plus special federal government appropriations, WGU maintains a robust program of scholarships made available to qualified students.
Degrees and programs eligible for this scholarship
Bachelor's and master's degree programs:
WGU Teachers College
College of Business
College of Information Technology
College of Health Professions
Scholarship policies
Multiple scholarships will be awarded. However, this is a competitive program and scholarships will be awarded based on a candidate’s academic record, financial need, readiness for online study at WGU, and current competency, plus other considerations.
Before monies are distributed, the scholarship recipients must read the WGU Student Handbook and agree to and understand the academic progress, tuition, and refund policies. The student will also be required to agree to the WGU Scholarship Terms and Conditions before monies will be awarded. The student must also meet the university’s On Time Progress requirements to maintain scholarship eligibility. Each student can only be awarded one scholarship that is funded or administered through WGU during their degree program.
This scholarship can be used in addition to any tuition discounts for which you may be eligible.
3 Steps to Apply For WGU Scholarships
Now that you've looked at scholarship requirements and found one to apply for, here are the steps to apply.
1. Complete the admissions application.
To be considered for any WGU scholarships, you must be provisionally accepted as a WGU student. Complete the admissions application and work with your enrollment counselor to move through the admissions process. NOTE: Returning WGU graduates should complete the Returning Graduate Application.
Apply to WGU2. Complete the general scholarship application.
The general application is required for all WGU scholarships and lets us learn more about you and which scholarships you may be eligible for. To access the application, you will need your MyWGU student portal credentials, which will be sent to you shortly after Step 1. NOTE: You are eligible to apply for scholarships within 90 days of starting a degree program, either before or after. You must complete the application within 90 days of your intended start date.
General Scholarship Application3. Log in to the scholarship portal and apply.
Based on what you tell us in Step 2, we’ll let you know which scholarships you might be eligible for. Finish up by reviewing the recommended opportunities and completing the supplemental application for each scholarship you’d like to be considered for by logging into the Scholarship Portal. These additional applications need to be submitted within 5 days of submitting the general application.
Common Questions About Scholarships
How do you select scholarship recipients?
It depends upon the scholarship. In general, we award scholarships based on the following factors:
- Meeting the basic eligibility requirements
- Answers you give on the scholarship application
- An interview with a scholarship counselor
Some scholarships are also based upon evaluations of prior college transcripts and other tests. We encourage you to apply.
When will I find out if I’m selected?
WGU evaluates scholarship applications on a continual basis because we start new students in their programs every month. Often we are able to make an award decision within 8–10 weeks of receiving your application. In most cases, you will also need to have applied for admission and been accepted to the university. An Enrollment Counselor can help explain the process.
Do I get the scholarship all at once?
No. Scholarship awards are divided into a set amount per term. This amount is credited against your tuition due for each term. The details are explained in the description for each scholarship.
Can I also apply for financial aid?
Yes. You probably should apply for federal financial aid, too. Scholarship awards will only cover a portion of your school expenses, and financial aid can help pay for the rest. You can apply for financial aid while you are waiting for a decision about your scholarship application. It will not hurt your chances to win a scholarship. Click here to learn more about or apply for financial aid.
Thank you to our donors.
Scholarship opportunities are made possible in part by the generous support of many companies, foundations, partner organizations, and individuals, including WGU alumni, faculty, and staff.
Financial Aid Is Also Available
You may choose to pay for the remaining portion of your degree through federal financial aid (subject to your eligibility). Pell Grants, which do not have to be repaid, are granted based on financial need. Federal Direct Student Loans are available to all students. Subsidized loans, which are dependent on financial need, reduce the interest due on loans.