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WGU SCHOLARSHIPS 101

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WGU NEW STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

AGENDA• What is a Scholarship?

• Examples of Offerings

• How to Apply

• After Applying

• Basic Eligibility Requirements

• After Being Awarded

• FAQs

• External Scholarships

• Other FA Options

• CBE

• Special Offer

• Q&A

Call 1-877-435-7948, ext. 3125 or visit http://www.wgu.edu/scholarships to learn more.

WHAT IS A SCHOLARSHIP?

• Monetary award that DOES NOT have

to be paid back

• One of the many ways in which WGU

removes obstacles from your path to

achieving your educational goals and

improving your career opportunities

• Our investment in the future of our

students


SCHOLARSHIPS VS. GRANTS

Scholarships

• Money you DO NOT pay

back

• Awarded by WGU or

private institutions

• Application independent

from FAFSA

• Holistic approach to

awarding

Grants

• Money you DO NOT pay

back

• Awarded by Federal or

State Government

• Must fill out the FAFSA

• Needs Based


NEW STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

• Four types of scholarships

– General WGU

– Program Specific

– Partner

– State Specific

• Routinely Changing

• Can apply from 60 days before to 60

days after start date


EXAMPLES OF OFFERINGS

National Scholarships

• Education that Works for You

– $500/4, $2,000

• Excellence in Health Informatics

– $500/4, $2,000

• Healthcare Partners Fund

– $625/4, $2,500

• Finish to Go Further with WGU Texas

– $500/4, $2,000

• Many more listed on website


WGU SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITE


COMPLETING THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

What will I need?• Student portal username/password

• An hour of uninterrupted time

• Solid idea of which scholarships you want to apply for

• AGI & # in household for most recent tax year

• Updated resume (optional, but preferred)

• Potential reference name and email address for LOR (optional)

• Employment, membership and/or military verification (if applicable)

*HINT: Look at the main scholarship website first to determine which scholarships are applicable to you and their requirements

A WGU Scholarship Representative can

assist you with any questions.


COMPLETING THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Step 1: Sign in using student portal username/password

Step 2: Complete & submit the General Application

Step 3: Visit the “Opportunities” tab to apply for specific

scholarships


AFTER APPLYING

1. Process application within 1-2 business days

2. Send email reminder to apply for specific

scholarships. Must be done within five business days.

3. Once admission decision is requested, students are

provisionally reviewed to determine if they will be

granted an interview.

4. After the interview, students will be contacted via

email with review committee’s decision in

approximately two weeks.


BASIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Quality of application

• Transcripts in & evaluated

– Past GPA

– # of transferable CUs

• AGI & # in household

• Related Experience

• Any extra documentation (proof of

employment, LOR, etc.)

• Interview


AFTER BEING AWARDED

• Agree to the Scholarship Terms & Conditions in the Student Portal

within 60 days of being awarded

• Start your program within 60 days of being awarded

• Scholarship money will post to your account on the 15th of your first

month

• Must MEET OTP EVERY TERM in order for scholarship funding to

renew


FAQs

How many students will be awarded?

It varies between opportunities. On average, 1 in 10 applicants is

awarded.

How many WGU scholarships am I allowed to have?

One

How long does it take to hear back if I am awarded?

4-5 weeks, if allowed to progress through entire process

Does the scholarship come directly to me the student?

No. Scholarship funds are credited towards the cost of tuition fees and

other expenses first. If you are using FA and at the COA prior to being

awarded, it will replace your loans and/or Pell grant.


EXTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS

• Not managed by WGU

• Work with Student Accounts to apply it (third

party payment)

• All questions go to scholarship provider directly


APPLYING FOR EXTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS

• There are thousands of scholarships out there, and you can’t possibly apply to all of them

• Focus on the scholarships you are most likely to win

• Scholarships open and close at various times throughout the year, so check at various points through your program.

• Be careful and apply through reputable organizations

– Do NOT give your social security number out

– NEVER PAY to apply for a scholarship

– Read privacy policies and terms and conditions


• Step 1: Document Your Strengths– First in your family to attend college

– Unique racial or ethnic heritage

– Participation in community, church, or military service

– Single parent

– Memberships to organizations

– Hobbies or interest

– Athletic talent

– Artistic talent

– Medical or physical conditions

– Your religion or spiritual practice


• Step 2: Search for Scholarships

– Are you a member of any organizations?

– Are there any scholarships provided by

your city, county, or state? What about

businesses, churches, or foundations in your

area?

– Are there national or local non-profits or

foundations that give money to students

like you?

– Are there scholarships that fit your

hobbies?


• Step 3: Apply

– Keep note of the deadlines

– Keep the attitude that “free money is out there,

and if I complete enough applications, I could win

it!”

– Save your essays, as they may be used for future

applications

OTHER FINANCIAL AID OPTIONS

• Federal Grants (FAFSA)

– Pell Grant

– FSEOG

– TEACH Grant

• Federal Student Loans (FAFSA)

– Subsidized

– Unsubsidized

• VA and Military Benefits

• http://www.wgu.edu/finaid

Call 1-877-435-7948 or visit http://www.wgu.edu/finaid to learn more.

http://www.wgu.edu/finaid

THE WGU COMPETENCY BASED MODEL (CBE)

• Takes advantage of what

you already know.

• Saves you time & money

because CBE measures

learning, not seat time.

• Flat rate tuition per term

allows you to add more

courses without additional

cost

• 100% online - provides

flexibility to study any time,

any place


WGU’S STUDENT CENTERED APPROACH

1 to 1 Mentor Model = Individualized

Attention and Support

Traditional Model Competency Based


SPECIAL OFFER

For attending today’s webinar, your $65 WGU application fee will be waived. The code will be

available in the chat window.

If you have applied already, your fee will be reversed within a few weeks.


COMPLETE SURVEY

Please complete our survey to receive slides and

a recording of this webinar.

The survey link can be found in the chat box.

Thank you!

SCHOLARSHIP OFFICE HOURS

8:30 am MST – 5:00 pm MST

1-877-435-7948, ext. 3125

[email protected]

or visit: www.wgu.edu/scholarships

Q&A

Questions?• Please reserve the chat box for scholarship-related

questions only.

• Multiple questions can be asked at a time, so watch

closely for your name in the chat which will indicate

your question is being answered.


wgu scholarships 101 - western governors … scholarships 101 welcome! we will be getting started...

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