SALT LAKE CITY — To honor all those who have served our country, nonprofit, online Western Governors University (WGU) is offering $500,000 in scholarships for veterans, active-duty military, reservists, and military family members who want to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in high-demand fields including IT, business, K-12 education, and health professions, including nursing. Applications are now being accepted through January 31, 2018, for the WGU Salute to Veterans Scholarship.
Each WGU Salute to Veterans Scholarship is valued at up to $2,500 — $650 per six-month term for up to four terms. WGU will award up to 200 scholarships to new students throughout the country.
“WGU has proven itself to be a valuable conduit for my success,” said Derit Watson, a current Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8) student and veteran. “Its quality programs provide the flexibility essential for my acceleration without breaking the bank.”
Of the 86,000 students currently enrolled at WGU nationwide, about 10% are active-duty military personnel, veterans, or dependent family members of military personnel. Western Governors University has been recognized for ten consecutive years by Military Advanced Education & Transition as a “Top School” and for seven consecutive years as a Military Friendly® School.
All WGU programs are competency-based, providing the flexibility veterans and their families need. Designed to meet the needs of adult learners, competency-based education allows students to take advantage of their knowledge and real-world 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 as mentors, 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 programs, saving both time and money.
The WGU Salute to Veterans Scholarship is open to new students who have been officially admitted to WGU and are a U.S. military veteran, active-duty or retired military, reservist, military spouse or children. While multiple scholarships will be awarded, this is a competitive program, and scholarships will be awarded based on a candidate’s academic record, readiness for online study, and current competency, as well as other considerations.
