WGU Announces Scholarships for First Responders

Online, nonprofit university Western Governor's University (WGU) has announced it will award up to $50,000 in scholarships to EMTs, police officers, firefighters, corrections officers – and their spouses – who are interested in furthering their education. The First Responders Scholarship is open to new students and can be applied to any of WGU's more than 60 bachelor's or master's degree programs in business, IT, K-12 education or healthcare. Applications are being accepted through December 31, 2019 at https://www.wgu.edu/financial-aid-tuition/scholarships/general/first-responder.html.

Each First Responders Scholarship is worth up to $2,500 and is open to new students and will be applied at a rate of $625 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms. While multiple scholarships will be awarded, this is a competitive program, and scholarships will be granted based on a candidate's academic record, financial need, readiness for online study and current competency, as well as other considerations.

"Our first responders work tirelessly to protect our communities, uphold laws and save lives," said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Regional Vice President of WGU's Midwest Region. "This scholarship is our way of showing appreciation for these extraordinary men and women and recognize the daily sacrifices they make. Many of our students and alum are first responders themselves, and we hope this scholarship will give others who are interested in furthering their education an even more affordable path to earning their degrees and advancing their careers."

Designed to meet the needs of adult learners, WGU's competency-based education model 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. Students complete their programs by studying on schedules that fit their lives, advancing as soon as they demonstrate that they have mastered subject matter. WGU faculty members work one-on-one with students as mentors, offering guidance, support and individualized instruction. While WGU's degree programs are rigorous and challenging, competency-based learning makes it possible for students to accelerate their progress, saving both time and money.

For more information about WGU or available scholarships, visit wgu.edu.