Back to school for busy professionals: WGU Washington launches new scholarship

Competency-based university plans to award 25 scholarships to working adults hoping to finish their degrees.

  • BY Wire Service
  • Thursday, August 11, 2016 2:06pm
  • News
WGU Washington was established by the State Legislature in 2011 in partnership with nationally recognized and accredited Western Governors University to expand access to higher education for Washington residents.

WGU Washington was established by the State Legislature in 2011 in partnership with nationally recognized and accredited Western Governors University to expand access to higher education for Washington residents.

For the Reporter

Back-to-school season is almost here, and while young people all over the state are returning to the classroom, WGU Washington allows working-age men and women to achieve their educational goals – and earn the skills and knowledge our economy demands to remain competitive.

To smooth the pathway to high-quality higher education, the state-endorsed, online university has launched its Back-to-School Scholarship. WGU Washington’s goal is to award 25 scholarships – worth up to $2,000 each – to new students who are accepted to the university by the end of the calendar year.

To be considered, candidates must have previously completed at least 20 college credits, be admitted to WGU Washington and submit a scholarship application by Dec. 31. Applicants must also complete an essay explaining their motivation for returning to college and participate in an interview with a scholarship counselor. To learn more and apply, follow this link.

WGU Washington, the locally-based affiliate of Western Governors University (WGU), recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of its establishment by our state’s leadership as an affordable and accessible educational option. Today, nearly 9,400 Washingtonians are enrolled in either bachelor’s or master’s degree programs through the online university.

WGU Washington’s competency-based educational model is designed to meet the needs of adult learners and allows students to take advantage of their knowledge and experience to move quickly through material they already know so they can focus on what they still need to learn.

WGU Washington faculty members work one-on-one with students as mentors, offering guidance, support and first-rate, individualized instruction. While WGU Washington’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 Back-to-School Scholarship is a competitive program available for any of WGU Washington’s more than 50 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in business, information technology, teacher education and health professions, including nursing. Scholarships will be awarded based on the student’s academic record, previous college experience, readiness for online study and current competency, among other considerations.

The scholarship will be applied at the rate of $500 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms, toward WGU Washington’s already-low tuition of about $3,000 per term for most programs.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Courtesy Photo, King County
Prolific tagger faces charges for damage to Kent water tower

Man one of dozens who reportedly tagged properties across King County, including West Hill tower

t
Federal Way man charged in Kent I-5 crash that killed passenger

Documents state that evidence reportedly showed he was the driver, but he blamed the passenger.

The Kent Police Department went all out with their “Moana” themed display - even Maui showed up. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The Hogwarts Express pulls into Battle of the Badges | Photos

The 2024 Battle of the Badges took over the Renton Technical College on Dec. 14.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
City of Kent crime numbers drop in 2024 compared to 2023

Vehicle thefts, commercial burglaries and robberies see big decreases

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District says it ‘will do better next time’ with school closures

Late notifications issued about closures after Dec. 18 windstorm

t
Kent Police arrest pair for downtown robbery of pedestrian

Reportedly used pepper spray to attack Kent man, 56, as he walked on sidewalk Dec. 16

Meeker Middle School, one of six schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Kent School District due to power outages from a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Windstorm causes closure of six Kent schools due to power outages

Four elementary, two middle schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18; couple of city roads closed

Volunteers wrap gifts during the 2023 Toys for Joy program. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Puget Sound Fire puts out plea for more Toys for Joy donations

Toys needed for children ages 9 to 12; more bikes, scooters requested; deadline is Dec. 20

t
Kent man, 19, faces multiple charges after pursuit near Wenatchee

Driver reportedly fails to stop for state trooper, crashes stolen vehicle along State Route 97

Kent School District Board Director Awale Farah, left, and Superintendent Israel Vela at a high school graduation last summer. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Awale Farah resigns immediately from Kent School Board

Says because of ‘family commitments’ he cannot fulfill rest of his term that expires in November 2025

t
Kent’s Lower Russell Levee project receives John Spellman Award

City, King County Flood District and other partners recognized for historic preservation

Northwood Middle School, 17007 SE 184th St., in unincorporated part of King County in Renton and part of the Kent School District. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Calls about man trying to access Northwood Middle School causes lockdown

Deputies arrest man for investigation of resisting arrest, obstruction at Kent School District property