Troops to Teachers

WGU and Troops to Teachers

If you are active or retired military personnel, or a current member of the Reserves or National Guard, and wish to become a certified teacher, you may be eligible for financial assistance from both WGU and the federal government.

The Departments of Defense and Education offers financial assistance in the form of either: (a) a stipend of up to $5,000 for teacher certification expenses for which individuals must teach for three years in a school located in a “high-need” district; or (b) a bonus of $10,000 to teach in a school serving a high percentage of students from low-income families.

Find out if you’re eligible
Visit the Troops to Teachers website

WGU Troops to Teachers Supplemental Scholarship

WGU is pleased to offer the Troops to Teachers Supplemental Scholarships. These scholarships are designed to help active-duty military and Veterans become teachers through an online program leading to certification. These scholarships are in addition to the regular Troops to Teachers stipends available to qualified individuals.

Who the Scholarship is for

This scholarship is for:

Participants in the Troops to Teachers program who want to become certified teachers.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for this scholarship, students must:

Be a participant in the official Troops to Teachers program.
Have already earned a bachelor’s degree and plan to become a licensed certified teacher.
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.

Multiple 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.

NOTE: This scholarship is designed for new students only. Students currently enrolled in WGU degree programs are not eligible.

Scholarship Value: $1,500 maximum

This scholarship will be credited to your account at the rate of $300 per six-month term, renewable for up to five terms.

Tuition for a six-month term is $2,890, less the $300 per term scholarship.

Eligible Programs

Any of the following Teachers College programs:

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 agree to the WGU Scholarship Terms and Conditions before monies will be awarded. The student must also meet the university’s Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements to maintain scholarship eligibility. Each student can only be awarded one scholarship that is funded or administered through WGU during their degree program.

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.

Note: Before you can apply for this scholarship, you must first apply for admission.

About the Scholarship

The WGU Troops to Teachers Supplemental Scholarship is designed to help active-duty military personnel and Veterans become highly qualified, licensed teachers. 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 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.