WGU Details Record Scholarship Commitment
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowWGU Indiana is planning to award a record amount of scholarships during the next year. The school says $400,000 will be available for new undergraduate and graduate students. June 9, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Timed with WGU Indiana's fourth anniversary on June 9, the online, nonprofit state university is proud to announce today $400,000 in scholarships will be available for new undergraduate or graduate students enrolling within the next 12 months. This is the largest amount of student aid awarded in the school's history, making one of Indiana's most affordable universities even more accessible.
Additionally, new and competitive “Go Further 4 You” scholarships, part of the scholarship pool and valued at $4,000 each, have been created specifically for the anniversary.
The new aid follows recent news the online state university is freezing its $6,000-per-year tuition maximum for a fourth year. WGU Indiana expects these new scholarships will provide encouragement and affordability to working adults considering earning or finishing their college degree. Approximately 22 percent of Hoosiers have some higher education, but lack completion of a degree.
“WGU Indiana has never lost focus on being affordable and providing students the best return on investment in education possible,” said Chancellor Allison Barber. “By keeping our tuition frozen since our inception and providing these new scholarship dollars, we can help the 1 in 5 Hoosier adults who still need to complete their college degree, letting them 'Go Further' in life through education.”
On average, WGU students experience a rise in their current salary by approximately $9,000 after graduation. Because WGU Indiana students normally complete their degree in less than three years, they can expect to earn a positive return on investment in 2 to 3 years. In 4 to 6 years after graduating, WGU students historically have earned an $18,600 increase in income. These numbers do not account for student aid, which 85 percent of WGU students currently receive.
FAST FACTS:
-WGU Indiana has awarded 1,460 degrees and has a current enrollment of 3,645.
-Approximately 98 percent of WGU students stay in Indiana after graduation.
-Americans with a bachelor’s degree (exclusively) earned 82 percent more per hour, on average, than those with only a high school diploma. Those with advanced degrees earned 137 percent more. (U.S. Department of Labor Statistics)
-Only 34.4 percent of working Hoosiers (ages 25-64) hold a two-year or four-year college degree, below the national average of 39.4. (U.S. Census Bureau)
-In 2012, Indiana graduates’ average student debt was $27,886. (Institute for College Access and Success)
-Approximately 75 percent of Americans think college is not affordable (Pew Research Center)
-Approximately 85 percent of WGU Indiana students receive financial aid.
-Indiana ranks 41st in two- or four-year college degree completion. (U.S. Census Bureau)
More information about scholarship disbursement and applications can be found on indiana.wgu.edu/4u or indiana.wgu.edu.
About WGU Indiana
WGU Indiana is the state's nonprofit, online university established by the State of Indiana to expand access to higher education for Indiana residents. Using a competency-based model that allows students to proceed at their own pace and curriculum developed with input from leading employers, WGU Indiana offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Business, Education, Information Technology and Healthcare Professions, including Nursing. In 2012, the Indiana Commission for Higher Education recognized WGU Indiana in its Reaching Higher, Achieving More agenda for its excellence in academic quality. The university was also recognized as one of Fast Company's 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2013.
Source: WGU Indiana