WGU Scholarships for Rural Mathematics and Science Educators
WGU is pleased to offer the WGU Scholarships for Rural Mathematics and Science Educators.
These scholarships, each valued up to $7,500, are designed to help working adults
attend college online to become highly-qualified mathematics and science teachers
in America’s rural schools. They are made available through a $3 million grant from
the U.S. Department of Labor.
Who the Scholarship is for
This scholarship is for:
- Individuals living in a rural community who want to become mathematics or science
teachers.
- Current teachers who live and teach in rural areas and want to earn a master’s degree
in mathematics or science education.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for this scholarship, students must:
- Currently live in a rural area* in the U.S.
- Complete an application for admission.
- Submit official transcripts of all prior college work.
- Be officially admitted to WGU.
- Interview with a WGU Scholarship Counselor prior to award decision.
Over 100 scholarships will be awarded. However, this is a competitive program
and scholarships will be awarded based upon a candidate’s academic record, readiness
for online study at WGU, and current competency, plus other considerations.
* For the purposes of this scholarship, “Rural Area” is defined as any zip code
listed with a rural rating of 4.0 or higher in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
database. Speak to a WGU Scholarship Counselor or Enrollment Counselor to see if
your zip code makes you eligible.
NOTE: This is a new scholarship program designed to expand access to teacher education
programs for rural teachers. Current WGU students are not eligible.
Financial Aid is Also Available
You may choose to pay for the remaining portion of your degree through federal financial aid (subject to your eligibility). Pell Grants are needs-based grants—meaning you do not have to pay them back—that are available only to students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree.
Federal Family Education Subsidized Loans, which are also needs-based, include subsidization of the interest while you are enrolled. Federal Family Education Unsubsidized Loans are NOT based upon financial need and are available to most WGU students.
Click here to learn more about financial aid.
Scholarship Value: $7,500 maximum
This scholarship will be credited to your account at the rate of $1,500 per six-month term,
renewable for up to five terms.
Tuition for a six-month term is $2,890, less the $1,500 per term scholarship.
Eligible Programs
For individuals pursuing initial teaching certification:
For already certified teachers:
Scholarship Policies
Before monies are distributed, the scholarship recipients must read the WGU Student
Handbook and agree to and understand the academic progress, tuition, and refund
policies. The student will also be required to sign a WGU Scholarship Agreement
before monies will be awarded. The agreement will include an affidavit that requires
the student to teach in a rural area for two years following completion of their
degree program. The student must also meet the university’s Satisfactory Academic
Progress requirements to maintain scholarship eligibility.
About the Scholarship
The WGU Scholarships for Rural Mathematics and Science Educators are designed for
individuals currently teaching or desiring to teach mathematics or science in one
of America’s rural schools. Although WGU’s competency-based approach makes it possible
for students to accelerate the time it takes for them to complete their degree program,
the scholarship awards are based on a reasonable experience (based on the eligible
programs listed above) of five six-month terms for completion. Actual time to completion
will depend upon the incoming student’s prior experience, academic background, and
time commitment to study.
Note: The scholarship will terminate at five terms if the student has not completed the degree program by then; If the student finishes in less than five terms, the scholarship will terminate and remaining funds will go toward scholarships for other students.
If you would like to discuss the scholarship program or WGU’s degrees before submitting
an application for this scholarship, feel free to speak to an
Enrollment Counselor toll-free at 1-866-225-5948.
Answers to your questions
Click a question, see the answer below.
- How do you select scholarship winners?
- When will I find out if I’m selected?
- Do I get the scholarship all at once?
- Can I also apply for financial aid?
How do you select scholarship winners?
It depends upon the scholarship. In general, we award scholarships based on the
following factors:
- Meeting the basic eligibility requirements
- Answers you give on the scholarship application
- An interview with a scholarship counselor
Some scholarships are also based upon evaluations of prior college transcripts and
other tests. We encourage you to apply.
When will I find out if I’m selected?
WGU evaluates scholarship applications on a continual basis because we start new
students in their programs every month. Often we are able to make an award decision
within two to four weeks of receiving your application. In most cases, you will also
need to have applied for admission and been accepted to the university. An
Enrollment Counselor can help explain the process.
Do I get the scholarship all at once?
No. Scholarship awards are divided into a set amount per term. This amount is credited
against your tuition due for each term. The details are explained in the description
for each scholarship.
Can I also apply for financial aid?
Yes. You probably should apply for federal financial aid, too. Scholarship awards
will only cover a portion of your school expenses, and financial aid can help pay
for the rest. You can apply for financial aid while you are waiting for a decision
about your scholarship application. It will not hurt your chances to win a scholarship.
Click here to learn more about or apply
for financial aid.
