SCHOLARSHIPS
Your own classroom is calling. We’re here to help you answer the call.
If you are a Houston ISD paraprofessional eager to start your journey as a licensed K–12 educator, or a working professional ready to make the switch to a more meaningful career in the classroom, WGU is here to help you achieve your goal. Designed to fit the lives of busy adults, named #1 for quality and value by the National Council on Teacher Quality, and the top school in the nation for graduating new STEM teachers, WGU's AAQEP- and CAEP-accredited Teachers College has the flexible, affordable, highly respected teacher certification programs you are looking for.
The Houston ISD Become a Teacher Scholarship is worth up to $4,000 and can be applied toward any of WGU’s Teachers College degree programs leading to teacher licensure. At WGU, you complete courses as soon as you can prove mastery of the material, making it possible to graduate faster—and because you pay tuition per term rather than per credit or course, if you graduate faster you can save both time and money. And you’ll benefit from hands-on, in-classroom observation and student teaching experiences at a school near you. WGU will help you arrange this in-classroom experience, an opportunity that our graduates consistently call invaluable in preparing them to lead their own classrooms. This scholarships includes a $1,500 stipend that will be applied to this student teaching term.
$4,000
This scholarship will be credited to your account at the rate of $625 per term, renewable up to four terms, with an additional $1,500 stipend for the student teaching term.
Interested in this scholarship? The first step is to apply for admission.
Before you can apply for this scholarship, you must first apply for admission.
Already applied for admission? Apply for scholarships on the Scholarship Portal.
This scholarship is one of many. Through the generosity of donors and institutional funding, WGU maintains a robust program of scholarships made available to qualified students.
Eligible Licensure Programs:
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 On Time 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. Recipients must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens.
This scholarship can be used in addition to any tuition discounts for which you may be eligible.
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.
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.
Most scholarships are for new students and returning graduates (unless otherwise noted). Eligible students beginning a new degree program must complete the scholarship application 90 days before and up to 30 days after the program start date. Current students who are at least 30 days past their program start date may apply for funding they are eligible for at any time after their first term is completed at wgu.edu/scholarshipapplication. WGU employees and family members who are eligible for the WGU employee discount are not eligible for WGU scholarships.
An eligible student beginning a new degree program may receive one WGU-funded scholarship award. In the event that a student qualifies for multiple WGU scholarships, the scholarship committee will consider each opportunity and select which scholarship to award (if any). Current students who are at least 30 days past their program start date may apply for additional WGU-funded scholarships by completing an application at www.wgu.edu/scholarshipapplication. Students can learn more about WGU's scholarship policies at: https://cm.wgu.edu/t5/WGU-Student-Policy-Handbook/Scholarship-Terms-and-Conditions/ta-p/67.
It depends on the specific criteria for the scholarship fund. In general, we award scholarships based on the following factors:
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
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.
