WGU Missouri continues to back up its commitment to expanding access to affordable, higher education for adults across the state with scholarship dollars that are helping to make the dream of higher education a reality for hundreds. The university has announced that it will award at least $250,000 in scholarships over the next year in an effort to encourage those who have some college but no degree to consider furthering their education. The announcement follows the close of a successful 2016 fiscal year, in which the non-profit online university conferred almost 300 degrees and invested more than $200,000 in scholarships as the total number of students enrolled topped 2,215. WGU Missouri has now awarded a total of almost $500,000 in scholarships since the online university launched in Missouri in 2013.
The scholarships, typically worth up to $2,000 each, will be available to students interested in pursuing a degree in any one of the more than 50 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs offered through WGU Missouri’s College of Health Professions, College of Information Technology, College of Business and its Teacher’s College. Scholarships will be awarded throughout the next 12 months, and information on how to apply can be found online at missouri.wgu.edu once each individual scholarship opportunity opens to applicants.
“At WGU Missouri, we believe that earning a college degree is a stepping stone to better careers and brighter futures,” said WGU Missouri Chancellor Angie Besendorfer. “We view our scholarships as investments in bright, talented men and women whose families and communities will benefit as they advance their education, and we are proud to continue to be able to provide the financial support that makes our already affordable education even more attainable.”
In just the past fiscal year alone, which ended June 30, 109 scholarships were awarded with a combined value of $205,599. Since WGU Missouri launched in 2013, a total of 283 scholarships have been awarded, underscoring WGU Missouri’s ongoing dedication to helping non-traditional students in Missouri achieve their educational goals.
Scholarships are awarded to students following an online application process. WGU Missouri generally awards scholarships based on three factors: meeting the basic eligibility requirements, answers given on the application, and an interview with a scholarship counselor. The scholarship committee recurrently awards scholarships throughout the year as new students are admitted to their programs each month.
WGU Missouri is an online, competency-based university created to expand access to higher education for Missouri residents. The university offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. WGU Missouri faculty members serve as mentors, working one-on-one with students, offering guidance, support, and individualized instruction.
Established in 2013 through a partnership with nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Missouri is open to all qualified Missouri residents. The university is nonprofit and self-sustaining on flat-rate tuition of about $6,000 per year for most programs.
Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE*).
More information is available at missouri.wgu.edu or by calling 855.948.8493.
*Western Governors University offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791).
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For more information, contact:
Pam Powell
(314) 436-9090