Unlocking Education: A Guide to the WGU Laptop Scholarship and Access Initiatives
Western Governors University (WGU) is dedicated to breaking down barriers to education and creating opportunities for individuals to improve their lives through online college degrees. Understanding the challenges faced by many students, particularly those from non-traditional backgrounds, WGU offers various scholarships and access initiatives, including those that provide laptops and internet access. This article explores the requirements and opportunities associated with WGU's laptop scholarship and related programs.
WGU's Commitment to Accessible Education
WGU's mission goes beyond offering affordable college classes. The university built its entire curriculum and reputation on the results it drives for students. WGU’s founders created the university to offer an alternative to a traditional education that has failed many learners, including adult returning students. WGU students are also untraditional because their average age is 37, and most attended-but did not complete-college. Many work full time and have families. The university recognizes that talent is universal, but access to opportunity is not. That's why they have made a commitment to increase access to education, making it possible for individuals to improve their lives and the lives of their families by earning a college degree online.
The Digital Divide and WGU's Response
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of technology access for students. Approximately 20% of college students report difficulty maintaining access to technology, including internet connectivity and functioning devices, according to a Communication Research study. In California alone, an Ed Trust-West study found that more than 102,000 California college students from lower-income households (14%) and 145,000 college students of color (13%) may lack internet access. WGU wrestles with this challenge every day.
Recognizing this digital divide, WGU has taken proactive steps to ensure students have the necessary tools to succeed in their online programs. These initiatives include:
- Online Access Scholarship: This scholarship provides recipients with the technology they need to pursue an online degree. The scholarship will provide recipients with equipment that will eliminate barrier to internet access.
- Partnership with T-Mobile: WGU sought out T-Mobile for Education after learning of its commitment to supporting K-12 education through its Project 10Million initiative, which offers eligible K-12 households 100GB of data per year and a free mobile hotspot for five years. Project 10Million also allows participating school districts to apply the value of the free program toward additional data plans based on specific students' needs. The WGU program is extensive and significantly helps stretch the university’s investment in the scholarship program. The involvement of T-Mobile has already helped WGU double the number of students supported by the Online Access initiative. T-Mobile is uniquely qualified to help WGU connect its students. T-Mobile is committed to Higher Education institutions, from urban campuses to rural colleges, to online universities like WGU, to help them navigate disruptive times and deliver on the future of learning.
Online Access Scholarship: Requirements and Eligibility
To be considered for WGU scholarships, you must be provisionally accepted as a WGU student. To access the scholarship application, you will need your MyWGU student portal credentials, which will be sent to you after Step 1. Still have questions? Scholarship opportunities are made possible in part by the generous support of many companies, foundations, partner organizations, and individuals, including WGU alumni, faculty, and staff.
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Before any devices are distributed, Online Access Scholarship recipients must read the WGU Student Handbook and agree to and understand the academic progress, tuition, and refund policies. The student will also be required to agree to the WGU Online Access Scholarship Terms and Conditions before any devices are distributed. The student must maintain a cumulative Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) percentage of greater than 66.67% each term to maintain scholarship eligibility.
Additional Scholarship and Grant Opportunities
Besides the Online Access Scholarship, WGU offers a variety of other financial aid options to help students fund their education:
- WGU Resiliency Grant: The WGU Resiliency Grant assists new students who are experiencing unforeseen financial struggles by offering them up to $4,000 that can be used for tuition, fees, and instructional materials to allow them to pursue their academic goals.
- WGU Opportunity Grant: The WGU Opportunity Grant supports new students who lack access to federal or state financial aid by offering them up to $10,000 (applied over four six-month terms) that can be used for tuition, fees, and instructional materials.
- Federal Financial Aid: You may choose to pay for the remaining portion of your degree through federal financial aid (subject to your eligibility). Pell Grants, which do not have to be repaid, are granted based on financial need. Federal Direct Student Loans are available to most students.
Scholarships specific to this state are currently unavailable, but please check other active scholarships from the list above.
The Impact of WGU's Initiatives
WGU's commitment to accessibility has a significant impact on its students. For example, after communicating her situation to WGU, the school awarded Ashley its first Online Access Scholarship. WGU proudly reports that graduates see an average salary increase of more than $11,000 within two years of graduation. To prepare students for successful careers, the school’s curriculum focuses on four high-demand fields: K-12 teaching and education, nursing and healthcare, information technology, and business.
In 2020, one challenge was the pandemic, which hit students hard. A significant number of those who had relied on work computers or office internet to attend classes and complete their coursework lost their jobs and broadband access, at the same time. The program, originally designed to help about 1,000 students, has expanded and is available to both existing and prospective students. COVID-19 forced Eulanda, from St. The situation threatened to derail her work toward an IT degree that she hoped would change her family’s life. That was a choice she didn’t have to make.
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WGU's Unique Approach to Education
Every university is concerned about graduation rates. Under ideal conditions, just 59.8% of full-time students attending traditional universities complete their undergraduate studies within six years. WGU’s completion rates are difficult to compare, since the Department of Education only counts first-time, full-time students and excludes the non-traditional, returning students that comprise 95% of WGU’s student body.
WGU has become the nation’s largest online university by creating partnerships with private and public sector organizations. IT professionals are needed now more than ever because tech is essential everywhere we go. Certifications are needed to get a job in IT and degrees help you advance your career. At WGU, you graduate with both. Industry-standard certs are included in your degree.
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