Veterans, Active-Duty Military Service Members and their Families

Redby, Minn. – (Nov. 8, 2022) In celebration of Veterans Day, Western Governors University (WGU) has launched a new scholarship for active-duty military personnel, veterans and their spouses who are interested in furthering their education. The “Military Appreciation Scholarship” valued at up to $2,500 each, is open to new students who plan on enrolling in any of the online, nonprofit university’s 60+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs in IT, business, K-12 teacher education, and health professions, including nursing.

WGU’s programs are competency-based, providing flexibility and workforce-focused degree programs that active-duty military members, veterans, and their families need. Approximately 11 percent of WGU’s students are active-duty military personnel, veterans or immediate family members of military personnel. WGU also consistently receives recognition for its efforts to support military students and was recently named as one of the Top Military Friendly® College and Universities for the 12th consecutive year by Military Advanced Education and Transition Magazine.

“WGU has demonstrated a strong commitment to helping servicemen and women apply their knowledge and life experiences toward a high-quality degree that will open up career opportunities in a number of fields,” said Dr. Terrance Hopson, Regional Vice President of WGU. “One way we're proud to give back to those who sacrifice so much to keep us safe is through this military-exclusive scholarship offering. WGU also offers military members flexible, affordable degree programs that are approved for VA education benefits under the GI Bill – which means that veterans and military members are generally eligible for benefits that, paired with our low, flat-rate tuition, cover most program costs.”

The “Military Appreciation Scholarship” is open to new students who have been officially admitted to WGU and qualify as active-duty military personnel, veterans or military spouses. Each $2,500 scholarship will be applied at the rate of $625 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms. Scholarships will be awarded based on a candidate’s academic record, financial need and current competency, as well as other considerations. Students can apply for the scholarship online at wgu.edu/militaryappreciation.

Designed to meet the needs of adult learners, WGU’s competency-based education model allows students to move quickly through material they already know so they can focus on what they still need to learn, rather than basing progress on a number of credit hours. Faculty members work one-on-one with students as mentors, offering guidance, support and individualized instruction. While the university’s degree programs are rigorous and challenging, competency-based learning makes it possible for students to accelerate their programs, saving them both time and money.

For more information about WGU or how the university supports service members and their families, visit wgu.edu/military.

About WGU

Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves more than 135,000 students nationwide and has more than 297,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation's leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In just 25 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families and preparing the workforce needed in today's rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and The New York Times. Learn more at http://www.wgu.edu.