Scholarship from WGU Washington Makes "Back-to-School" a Reality for Working Adults

SEATTLE, Aug. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Back-to-school season is in full swing across the state. However, while young people all over Washington are returning to the classroom, thousands of working adults lack the education they need to be successful in the workplace – and the skills and knowledge our economy demands to remain competitive.

WGU Washington is doing its part to narrow the statewide skills gap. The state-endorsed, nonprofit university is offering the Back-to-School Scholarship to help professional men and women get quality, career-driven educations. WGU Washington will award multiple scholarships – worth up to $2,000 each – to aspiring students with some college experience who now wish to complete their bachelor's or master's degrees.

"For whatever reason, the responsibilities of real life have delayed a lot of men and women from achieving their goals of graduating," said WGU Washington Chancellor Jean Floten. "Along with our flexible, online model, WGU Washington's Back-to-School Scholarship helps smooth the pathway to a high-quality, university credential."

The scholarship will be applied at the rate of $500 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms, toward WGU's already-low tuition of roughly $3,000 per term for most programs. Applications are currently being accepted via the scholarship page of the WGU Washington website.

Students enrolling in any of WGU Washington's more than 50 bachelor's and master's degree programs are invited to apply. To be eligible for the Back-to-School Scholarship, applicants must have at least 60 prior college credits, complete an essay about "My Motivation for Going Back to School," be admitted to the university, and participate in an interview with a scholarship counselor. While WGU Washington enrolls new students every month, the scholarship is available to students enrolling this fall—applications are due October 31.

While multiple scholarships will be awarded, the Back-to-School Scholarship is a competitive program. Scholarships will be awarded based on the student's academic record, readiness for online study, and current competency, as well as other considerations.

About WGU Washington 
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.

The state-endorsed, online university offers more than 50 bachelor's and master's degree programs in Business, Information Technology, Teacher Education and Health Professions, including Nursing. WGU Washington's competency-based learning model is designed to meet the needs of working adults by providing an affordable, flexible option for earning an accredited, respected college degree. It's non-profit and receives no money from the state.

Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is regionally 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*).

The university has earned the support of more than 20 leading corporations and foundations. They include institutions such as AT&T, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lilly Endowment, Hewlett-Packard, Lumina Foundation, Microsoft, Oracle and SunGard Higher Education.

* One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791

Contact for media inquiries:
Jake Riddell – Public Relations Manager
(206) 512-0025
[email protected] 

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SOURCE WGU Washington