JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Western Governors University (WGU) will provide employees of Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) with scholarship opportunities as part of a new partnership announced today.
DCPS employees are now eligible to apply for the WGU K-12 Partnership Scholarship. The scholarships can be used toward bachelor’s and master’s degrees and are valued at up to $650 per term. Tuition at WGU is around $4,000 per six-month term for most degree programs, and students can accelerate through as many courses as they are comfortable with within a term.
“Working with partners like Duval County Public Schools to provide scholarships to those who help educate future leaders is an honor for all of us at WGU,” said Kimberly K. Estep, Ph.D., WGU Southeast Regional Vice President. “These public servants now have the opportunity to further their careers by achieving bachelor’s or master’s degrees in education or other fields in an affordable way and on their own time.”
WGU’s online, competency-based model is mentor-supported and is designed to fit into busy work and home schedules. WGU and DCPS will collaborate to execute ongoing enrollment campaigns and educational assistance benefits. DCPS is not the first Florida school system to partner with WGU to expand education options to its employees. In 2021, Hillsborough County Public Schools signed a similar partnership agreement. Other notable Florida partnerships include Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Osceola County, Lake County, and Pasco County Schools.
“Every day, more than 12,000 professionals work hard to make sure our students succeed,” said Victoria Schultz, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for Duval County Public Schools. “Through our partnership with WGU, we want to provide another option for our employees to achieve their own success and accomplish their education and career goals.”
WGU offers over 80 online degree programs in education, business, health, and information technology. These online degree programs lead students to diverse jobs with top organizations, from schools to hospitals, to businesses. There are more than 7,200 WGU students in Florida and nearly 14,800 alumni. For more about WGU’s programs, or to learn more about WGU, visit wgu.edu.
About Duval Public County Schools
Duval County Public Schools is the 20th largest school district in the nation, educating more than 129,000 students in over 190 schools. Its mission is to provide educational excellence for every school, in every classroom, for every student, every day. Visit www.duvalschools.org to learn more.
