WGU launches annual Tenn-K Scholarship Campaign

To support Tennesseans looking to pursue a degree in higher education, WGU Tennessee, the state-endorsed nonprofit online university, is awarding $10,000 scholarships to up to 10 Tennesseans as part of its annual Tenn-K Scholarship.

“WGU Tennessee’s mission has always been to expand access to higher education for working Tennesseans, regardless of whether they live in a city or a rural area,” said WGU Tennessee Chancellor and Southeast Regional Vice President Kimberly Estep. “Affordability is a priority at WGU Tennessee, and the Tenn-K Scholarship helps remove the financial barriers for adults earning a degree.”

WGU Tennessee has helped to alleviate the financial burden for its students by awarding more than $4.5 million in scholarships to Tennesseans since 2013, $590,000 of that total coming from Tenn-K awards and nearly $95,000 in emergency aid scholarships over the past two years. With WGU’s already-low tuition of about $4,000 per six-month term for most programs, the Tenn-K Scholarship covers approximately 70% of a recipient’s tuition costs, on average.

Nationally recognized and accredited, WGU offers more than 60 online degree programs in business, K–12 education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. Nearly 4,500 Tennesseans are currently enrolled in WGU, which has conferred over 8,000 degrees in the state.  

After working in a management position at his transportation company, Matthew Parker realized that he enjoyed the financial and business aspects of the business. He decided to apply for WGU’s MBA program to combat the limited opportunities for growth in his current department. The Tenn-K Scholarship allowed Parker to finish his degree program and gain the skills and qualifications needed to pursue accounting opportunities.

“WGU offered a competency-based degree program that worked with my schedule of having young kids and a full-time job,” Parker said. “The Tenn-K Scholarship allowed me to earn my MBA and apply for jobs I’m passionate about, rather than working for a paycheck.”

Those interested in applying have until April 30 to submit their application. Tenn-K Scholarships are awarded based on the applicants’ academic records, readiness for online study, and demonstrated financial need, as well as other considerations. Recipients are awarded four installments of $2,500 per six-month term, disbursed over their first four terms.

To learn more about the Tenn-K Scholarship, visit https://www.wgu.edu/financial-aid-tuition/scholarships/tennessee/tenn-k.html.

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 140,000 students nationwide and has more than 261,000 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 24 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 has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, and CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at wgu.edu and wgu.edu/advocate.