Understanding Why WGU Offers Scholarships

WGU wants to make college easier and cheaper for everyone. They give scholarships to help with money problems, which are one of the biggest things that stop students from getting a degree. When WGU gives scholarship money, they are helping you work hard, do well in school, and finish your studies. This shows that WGU cares about helping students have a better life through education.

Types of WGU Scholarships

WGU has many kinds of scholarships to help different students. They are divided into four main groups, so it’s easier to find the right one for you. Let’s take a look at each type to understand them better.

General Scholarships

These scholarships have simple rules and are for students in any program. One example is the Education That Works for You Scholarship. It gives $500 every term and can be used for up to four terms, giving you a total of $2,000.

College-Specific Scholarships

Some scholarships are just for certain colleges or programs. For example, the Excellence in Health Information Management Scholarship is only for new students who want to study for a Bachelor’s in Health Information Management. This scholarship gives $500 each term for up to four terms.

Partnered Organization Scholarships

WGU works with many organizations to offer scholarships to their workers or members. For example, if you work for a healthcare company that qualifies, you could get a healthcare partnership scholarship. This scholarship gives $625 each term for up to four terms, which adds up to $2,500.

State-Based Scholarships

WGU also gives scholarships that are for students in certain states. For example, students from Texas who have an associate degree from a Texas community college can get the Finish to Go Further with the WGU Texas Scholarship.

Each type of scholarship has different rules, so be sure to check the WGU scholarships page for the newest opportunities. These might depend on your subject, where you live, or any partnerships you are a part of. Click the button to check.

What Are Eligibility and Application Process

Application Timeline

You can apply for scholarships up to 90 days before your program starts or 30 days after it begins. This four-month period makes sure the scholarships match your start date. Apply as soon as you can during this time to have a better chance of getting one.

Eligibility Criteria

Here’s what they consider:

Financial need is considered, but it’s not as strictly defined as it is for federal aid.

Your past academic records are checked to help determine how well you might do in a WGU program.

Experience in your chosen field is helpful, especially because WGU focuses on skills and competency.

If your income has changed recently or if other personal factors affect your finances, make sure to include that in your application.

Application

To apply then you have to need a few things on hand:

You’ll use the same login details for your scholarship application as you do for your WGU student portal. If you don’t have them yet, your enrollment counselor can help.

Make sure to set aside at least an hour to complete your application carefully. There are short essay questions, and the quality of your answers matters.

You will need to provide your most recent tax year’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and your household size.

A professional resume isn’t required, but it can make your application stronger by showing your experience and how it fits with your chosen field.

Some scholarships may need extra proof, like proof of employment or military affiliation.

Applying through Scholarship Universe

WGU works with Scholarship Universe, a website that helps students find both WGU scholarships and other outside scholarships. It makes it easier to find and apply for scholarships, and you can see all the money options in one place.

Click the button to go to the Scholarship Universe site and follow the instructions.

Log in to Scholarship Universe using your WGU login details.

Answer a few questions to help the system find scholarships you can apply for.

Look through the scholarships that match you, marked with the WGU logo for WGU scholarships and a globe for outside scholarships.

Click “Apply” for each scholarship you’re eligible for, then submit your application and any required documents.

Understanding the Review Process

After you submit your application, the scholarship review team will look at it. The process can take up to three months, so it’s best to apply early. They might call you for a phone interview, but it’s not always needed. You’ll get an email telling you the decision. Here’s what the team checks:

Application Quality

Transcripts (They check your past school work to see how well you might do in the program).

Financial Need (They look at your AGI and household size to understand your need for help).

Experience and Documents (They review any experience or documents you submit)

What Happens if You Receive a Scholarship

Congrats! Important Things to Remember

You need to accept the scholarship terms within 60 days of being awarded and start your program within that time.

Scholarships are posted to your WGU account on the 15th of the first month of each term.

To renew your scholarship, you must meet On-Time Progress (OTP) requirements. Undergraduates need to complete 12 Credit Units (CUs) per term, and graduate students must complete 8 CUs per term.

Conclusion

WGU gives students real ways to help pay for their education, making college less expensive. If you get accepted, you can apply for scholarships, but make sure you meet all the requirements first.

Read More: WGU Enrollment Portal