More than $3 million awarded in scholarships to Tennesseans since 2013
NASHVILLE– To better reach adults wanting to pursue a degree in higher education, WGU Tennessee, a state-endorsed nonprofit university, is awarding $10,000 scholarships to up to 10 Tennesseans as part of its largest annual scholarship, “Tenn-K.”
“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 Dr. Kimberly K. Estep, WGU Tennessee chancellor. “Cost is often the biggest barrier for students’ going back to school, and our scholarship offerings, specifically the Tenn-K Scholarship, help students gain the resources needed to pursue their dream careers.”
WGU Tennessee has helped to alleviate the financial burden for its students by awarding more than $3 million in scholarships to Tennesseans since 2013, including more than $225,000 of that total coming from Tenn-K awards. Other open scholarships include Everywhere, TN and Sixth Anniversary Scholarship.
Jackson teacher Emily Stutts wanted to take the next steps to accomplish her goal of becoming an administrator within the Jackson-Madison County School District. On a whim, she applied for the 2019 Tenn-K Scholarship in hopes of starting her Master of Education program with WGU Tennessee. By receiving the scholarship, Stutts was able to begin her master’s program and take the necessary steps to accomplish her goals.
“I applied for the scholarship on a whim, thinking that I had a one-in-a-million shot – and here we are,” said Stutts after receiving her Tenn-K Scholarship. “This is definitely going to allow those possibilities to become a reality. I am super excited about furthering my career and future career opportunities … it’s the biggest blessing,” she said.
With WGU’s already-low tuition of about $3,500 per six-month term for most programs, the Tenn-K Scholarship covers approximately 70 percent of a recipient’s tuition costs, on average. Those interested in applying have until April 1, 2020, 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.
Launched in July 2013 as part of the “Drive to 55” initiative, WGU Tennessee is an online, accredited, nonprofit university established to meet the needs of working adults who wish to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree and advance their careers. WGU Tennessee – created through a partnership between the state of Tennessee and nationally recognized Western Governors University – has graduates from all 95 of Tennessee’s counties and has conferred more than 4,800 degrees since the university’s inception. More than 4,200 are currently enrolled.
To learn more about the Tenn-K Scholarship, visit tennessee.wgu.edu/TennK.
