WGU Announces New "I Have a Dream" Scholarships for MLK Day

In celebration of the life and legacy of late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Western Governors University (WGU) has launched a new scholarship for those who have always dreamed of completing their college degrees and advancing their careers but faced challenges along the way that prevented them from moving forward. The fully online, nonprofit university will award $75,000 in scholarships to new and returning students to provide support and help encourage them to fulfill their educational goals.

The "I Have a Dream" scholarships are open to new and returning students enrolling in any of WGU's 60-plus undergraduate and graduate degree programs in information technology, business, teacher education and health professions, including nursing. Each scholarship is valued at up to $4,000 and will be credited to students' accounts at a rate of $1,000 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms. Applications are being accepted now through June 30 at wgu.edu/dream.

"Nearly 60 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., laid out his vision for a future where people of all races and backgrounds were afforded the same rights, opportunities and privileges," said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Regional Vice President of Western Governors University. "His activism opened minds and inspired people to strive for a more equitable society, and his words and actions continue to challenge us today. In that spirit, we are proud to offer this scholarship in his honor in hopes that those who have consistently faced challenges that prevented them from moving forward with their education plans can be inspired to go back to school and complete their degrees."

The "I Have a Dream" scholarships are competitive and will be awarded based on the students' academic record, previous college experience, readiness for online study, current competency, as well as other considerations.

For more information about WGU and the "I Have a Dream" scholarship, visit wgu.edu.

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 130,000 students nationwide and has nearly than 250,000 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 just 25 years, the university has become a leading influence in the development of innovative workforce-focused approaches to education. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, and CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu.