‘Press Releases’ Category

To show appreciation for area K-12 educators who have been forced to adapt to new styles of teaching throughout the pandemic, Western Governors University (WGU) is pledging to award up to $125,000 in grant money to K-12 teachers who need help funding their innovative classroom projects as part of the nonprofit university’s “Fund My Classroom” initiative. Teachers can submit proposed projects online at wgu.edu/fundmyclassroom for the opportunity to receive full or partial funding. Applications are being accepted through April 18, and selected classroom projects will be announced during Teacher Appreciation Week, which runs May 3- 7.

K-12 educators can request funding for any type of innovative classroom project they believe would provide an enriching classroom experience for their students – from books, supplies and equipment or technology to classroom experiences and field trips. To be considered, proposed projects must include a description, detailing how much funding is needed and how the proposed project will benefit students. Both public and private school teachers are encouraged to apply.

“Over the last year, we have seen just how dedicated our teachers are to ensuring our children receive an enriching and fulfilling educational experience, and providing grant funding through this initiative to help make their classrooms more engaging for their students is just one way we can show our appreciation,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Regional Vice President of Western Governors University. “I look forward to seeing the amazing projects our teachers have planned.”

WGU’s “Fund My Classroom” initiative was launched in Missouri in 2019 and was expanded to include select counties in Illinois last year. This is the first year the grant initiative has been made available to teachers across the entire state of Illinois. In 2019, the nonprofit, fully online university awarded $10,000 to 15 schools across Missouri, and in 2020, awarded a total of $15,000 to 29 classroom projects in Missouri and parts of Illinois and Kansas. This year, the university was able to increase the funding for grants through this initiative to $125,000 and hopes to fund dozens more projects throughout Illinois, Missouri and Kansas.

Some previously funded teacher projects through WGU’s “Fund My Classroom Initiative” include the following: a Butterfly Garden at East Elementary in the Jerseyville Community School District in Jerseyville, Ill.; a “Kindertown” project to teach students how to be a citizen in a fun, kid-friendly way at Lewis and Clark Elementary in Godfrey, Ill.; 100 graphic novels for a classroom library at Fulton Junior high in O’Fallon, Ill.; training for two therapy dogs at Royal Heights Elementary in Joplin, Mo.; an effort to bring pedal exercisers to the library media center at Blades Elementary in St. Louis; and a 3D printer at Frontier STEM High School in Kansas City, Mo.

Anyone interested in nominating themselves, colleagues, family or friends can fill out the short application available at wgu.edu/fundmyclassroom. Nominees must reside in Illinois, Missouri or Kansas.

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 131,000 students nationwide and has more than 217,000 graduates. 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 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, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu.

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For more information, contact:

Abigail Rolland 

(314)436-9090 

abigail@hausergrouppr.com 

(more…)

Western Governors University (WGU) has announced a new initiative aimed at removing financial barriers that might otherwise keep adults from moving forward with their education and career advancement plans. The fully online, nonprofit university’s Equitable Access Initiative will specifically address job and income loss, internet access issues, health concerns, changes in childcare and schooling, and overall uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of this effort, WGU’s Board of Trustees has designated $6 million in grant and scholarship funding to assist new and existing students. The financial support includes:

• The WGU Resiliency Grant, which assists new students who are experiencing unforeseen financial struggles due to the pandemic by offering them up to $4,000 that can be used for tuition, fees and instructional materials to allow them to pursue their academic goals. The scholarship is frontloaded to cover $2,500 in the first six-month term and $750 for two subsequent terms—incentivizing students who already have some college credits to accelerate their degree path through the university’s competency-based education model.
• The WGU Opportunity Grant, which supports new students who lack access to federal or state financial aid by offering them up to $10,000 (applied over four six-month terms) that can be used for tuition, fees and instructional materials. At $2,500 per term, the grant covers approximately 70 percent of the total cost of most degree programs for students who graduate in two years or less.
• WGU’s Online Access Scholarship, which provides new and current students who lack reliable broadband access with free high-speed internet service for the duration of their degree programs, while also supplying them with refurbished laptops. The internet service is not restricted to a device, allowing students’ family members to use the Wi-Fi for essential functions, such as accessing healthcare and applying for jobs.

Tuition for most degree programs at WGU is $7,000 or less per year, and qualified students are eligible to supplement any tuition-based scholarships or grants with the Online Access Scholarship, allowing them to earn their degrees for little to no out-of-pocket costs, in many cases.

“With so many people facing continued challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WGU is taking the necessary steps to provide aid to those who otherwise would be unable to go back to school, helping to ensure everyone has the opportunity to earn a college degree,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Regional Vice President of Western Governors University. “WGU’s mission has always focused on increasing access to affordable, flexible, high-quality college education for adults, and the Equitable Access Initiative will help make earning a degree even more attainable for those looking to strengthen their skills in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

To learn more about WGU’s Equitable Access Initiative, please visit wgu.edu/access.

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 129,000 students nationwide and has more than 214,000 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, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu.

# # #

For more information, contact:

Abigail Rolland 

(314)436-9090 

abigail@hausergrouppr.com 

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