WGU Offers $500,000 in Scholarships for New Year's Resolution Makers

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Western Governors University (WGU) is offering an added incentive for busy adults making resolutions to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the new year, $500,000 in scholarships. Students who apply to WGU by March 31, 2017, are eligible to apply for the New Kind of You Scholarship, which provides up to $2,000 per student for up to 250 students.

The New Kind of You 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 about $3,000 per term for most programs. Students enrolling in any of WGU’s 60 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Applications are being accepted now through March 31, 2017.

WGU uses an innovative approach to learning called competency-based education, which focuses on measuring learning rather than time spent in class. Students earn their degrees by demonstrating mastery of the subject matter they need to be successful — real-world competencies developed in collaboration with employers.

Designed to meet the needs of adult learners, competency-based education 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. 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.

This scholarship is open to new WGU students who have been officially admitted to WGU. While many scholarships will be awarded, it is a competitive program. Scholarships will be awarded based on the candidate’s academic record, readiness for online study, and current competency, as well as other considerations. For more information on the New Kind of You Scholarship and additional WGU scholarships, visit www.wgu.edu/scholarships.

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 77,000 students nationwide and has more than 73,000 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 less than 20 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 was featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu.

Featured

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.

  • Philadelphia Middle School Facility Earns LEED Gold Certification

    The Alternative Middle Years (AMY) at James Martin Middle School in Philadelphia, Penn., recently received a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to a news release. The School District of Pennsylvania partnered with KSS Architects on the project.

  • Tennessee Middle School Completes Health, Life Safety Renovations

    The Giles County Board of Education in Pulaski, Tenn., recently announced that a series of renovation projects has been completed at Bridgeforth Middle School, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects & Engineers and Brindley Construction to modernize building systems at one of the district’s oldest schools.

  • Virginia Tech Tops Out New College of Engineering Building

    Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., recently celebrated the topping out of Mitchell Hall, which will soon stand as the largest College of Engineering building on campus, according to a news release. The university partnered with Skanska on the 285,500-square-foot facility, which has an expected completion date of winter 2028.