Most scholarships are for new students and returning graduates (unless otherwise noted). Eligible students must complete the scholarship application 90 days before and up to 30 days after the program start date. Current students may apply for funding they are eligible for at any time after their first term is completed. WGU employees and family members who are eligible for the WGU employee discount are not eligible for WGU scholarships.
From rising grocery prices to paying more at the pump, many people are feeling the impact of inflation. As life seems to get more expensive by the day, WGU wants to make affording your education one less thing to worry about. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the Rise Above Grant. If you’re a new student facing financial hardships from inflation, you may apply for this grant, which may provide up to $4,000 that can be used toward your tuition. Grants like this are just one of many ways WGU is making it more affordable than ever to go after your degree goals.
Your first step is to apply for admission — and that’s free!
Scholarship Details
Scholarship (valued up to):
$4,000
This grant will be credited to your account at the rate of $1,000 per term, renewable up to four terms.
Interested in this grant? The first step is to apply for admission.
Deadline (per 2024-25 aid year):
6/30/25
Before you can apply for this grant, you must first apply for admission.
Already applied for admission? Apply for this grant on the Scholarship Portal. This scholarship will be extended once the new aid year begins 7/1.
Additional Opportunities:
80+
This grant is one of many. Through the generosity of donors and institutional funding, WGU maintains a robust program of scholarships made available to qualified students.
- For new students or returning graduates pursuing an eligible degree program (either Bachelor's or Master's)
Multiple grants will be awarded. However, this is a competitive program and grants will be awarded based on a candidate’s academic record, financial need, readiness for online study at WGU, and current competency, plus other considerations.
Before monies are distributed, the 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 On Time Progress requirements to maintain scholarship eligibility. Each student can only be awarded one grant or scholarship that is funded or administered through WGU during their degree program. Recipients must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens.
This grant can be used in addition to any tuition discounts for which you may be eligible.
Get Started in Two Simple Steps
Step 1: Apply for Admission
To be considered for WGU scholarships, you must be provisionally accepted as a WGU student1. Please complete the admissions application and work with your Enrollment Counselor to move through the admissions process.
Step 2: Apply for Scholarships
To access the scholarship application, you will need your MyWGU student portal credentials, which will be sent to you after Step 1. You are eligible to apply for scholarships 90 days before and up to 30 days after your degree start date.2
1 Returning WGU graduates should complete the Returning Graduate Application.
2 Completing a current aid year FAFSA is required if eligible to submit the FAFSA. If you are ineligible to receive federal aid via the FAFSA, you will still have opportunity to be considered for WGU scholarships.
Common Questions About Scholarships
An eligible student can receive one WGU scholarship award per degree. In the event that a student qualifies for multiple WGU scholarships, the scholarship committee will consider each opportunity and will then select which one to award (if any).
It depends on the specific criteria for the scholarship fund. In general, we award scholarships based on the following factors:
- Meeting the basic eligibility requirements
- The quality of your scholarship application responses
- Financial need is also a strong consideration for most of our scholarship funds
Some scholarships are also based upon evaluations of prior college transcripts and other academic history. We encourage you to apply.
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 3-5 weeks of receiving your application. You will also need to have applied for admission and been accepted to the university. An Enrollment Counselor can help explain the process.
No. New and returning student 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.
Yes, you should also apply for federal financial aid by filling out a FAFSA. Most scholarships at WGU require a FAFSA on file unless you are not eligible to apply for federal aid. If awarded a scholarship, that amount will likely 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. Here is the full information on financial aid.
WGU is partnering with Scholarship Universe (SU), a third-party scholarship aggregator, to help you identify and apply for scholarships based on information included in your SU profile. The information you enter into the SU platform will be governed by ScholarshipUniverse's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Still have questions? More info can be found here:
Thank You to Our Donors
Scholarship opportunities are made possible in part by the generous support of many companies, foundations, partner organizations, and individuals, including WGU alumni, faculty, and staff. Learn how donors can make a difference at WGU.
When you complete the FAFSA, be sure to list WGU’s school code.
Code: 033394
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, which do not have to be repaid, are granted based on financial need. Federal Direct Student Loans are available to most students. Subsidized loans, which are dependent on financial need, reduce the interest due on loans.
