Competency-based university to award scholarships to working adults going back to school
LAS VEGAS — It’s back-to-school time in Nevada and across the country, and as kids and young adults are returning to the classroom many adult students are thinking about going back to school as well. To help busy adults take the leap in 2016, WGU Nevada is offering Back-to-School Scholarships for Nevada residents.
The scholarships, worth up to $2,000 each, will be awarded to at least five new students who are accepted to WGU Nevada by the end of the year. To be considered, prospective students must have previously completed at least 20 college credits, be admitted to WGU Nevada, and submit a scholarship application by December 31st. Applicants must also complete an essay explaining their motivation for returning to college and participate in an interview with a scholarship counselor. Students may apply for the scholarship here.
Many adults need a degree to improve their employment situation, as was the case for James Lemmons Jr. of North Las Vegas. Following 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, James enjoyed success in the IT field, but not having a college degree was making it difficult for him to advance in his career. James returned to school to earn his bachelor’s degree at WGU Nevada while working full time, and after he graduated was promoted to a management position within his organization.
WGU Nevada’s competency-based education model is designed to meet the needs of adult learners and 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 Nevada’s degree programs are rigorous and challenging, competency-based learning makes it possible for students to accelerate their programs, saving both time and money.
The Back-to-School Scholarship is a competitive program and is for any of WGU Nevada’s more than 50 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in business, information technology, teacher education, and health professions, including nursing. Scholarships will be awarded based on the student’s academic record, previous college experience, readiness for online study, current competency, as well as other considerations. The application deadline is December 31, 2016. The scholarship will be applied at the rate of $500 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms, toward WGU Nevada’s already-low tuition of about $3,000 per term for most programs. To learn more or to apply, visit http://nevada.wgu.edu/bts.
About WGU Nevada
WGU Nevada is an online, nonprofit, competency-based university established to expand Nevadans’ access to higher education throughout the state. Formed through a partnership between the state of Nevada and nationally recognized Western Governors University, WGU Nevada is open to all qualified Nevada residents. The university offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the high-demand career fields of business, K–12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing.
Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). WGU’s Teachers College programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and its nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)*.
In addition to WGU Nevada, there are five other WGU state-based, state-endorsed universities: WGU Indiana, established in June 2010; WGU Washington, established in April 2011; WGU Texas, established in August 2011; WGU Missouri, established in February 2013; and WGU Tennessee, established in July 2013. For more information, visit the WGU Nevada website, nevada.wgu.edu, or call 877-214-7005.
*Western Governors University offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington, DC 20036, 202-877-6791).
