NASHVILLE – WGU Tennessee – the nonprofit, online university established as part of Gov. Bill Haslam’s Drive to 55 effort – has a message for students and potential students across the state: Many scholarship opportunities are still available before the end of 2018.
The university is offering scholarship opportunities to Tennesseans who want to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the high-demand fields of information technology, business, K-12 education, or health professions, including nursing.
The deadline for many scholarships is Dec. 31, 2018. The BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Professions Scholarship, for nurses seeking bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and the Become a Teacher Scholarship, for aspiring teachers, are just two of several offerings that close at year’s end. Perennial scholarships also are available for veterans, military service members, and their families. To learn more and apply, visit https://www.wgu.edu/financial-aid-tuition/scholarships.html.
The Tenn-K Scholarship, WGU Tennessee’s largest annual award of up to $10,000, is open until March 15, 2019. Last year, the university awarded nine Tennesseans with the scholarship, which covers approximately 70 percent of total tuition costs. Those interested in the $10,000 scholarship are encouraged to apply sooner rather than later, as the university will start identifying the first recipients early in 2019.
All WGU programs are competency-based, providing the flexibility contemporary students – and especially working adults – need to earn degrees while balancing a career and family. Students can start a degree program at the first of any month and, through the competency-based model, are able to take advantage of their knowledge and real-world experience to accelerate through material they already know so they can focus on what they need to master.
WGU faculty members work one on one with students, offering guidance, support, and individualized instruction. Since launching in 2013, WGU Tennessee’s enrollment has surpassed 4,200, with students in all 95 counties in Tennessee.
“Cost is often the biggest barrier adults face when deciding whether or not to go back to school,” said Dr. Kimberly K. Estep, WGU Tennessee’s chancellor. “Our scholarship offerings help us in our mission of expanding Tennesseans’ access to quality, affordable higher education. We hope Tennesseans take advantage of the scholarships offerings before the opportunities expire.”
