East Baton Rouge Parish Resident Awarded $10,000 Opportunity Grant from WGU

BATON ROUGE, LA – Nonprofit, online Western Governors University (WGU) surprised East Baton Rouge Parish resident Ayodeji Williams with a WGU Opportunity Grant worth $10,000 during an interview with WGU South Region Strategic Partnerships Manager Rod Henderson.

The Opportunity Grant is an investment to provide historically underserved populations the funding necessary to achieve their higher education goals. Created for individuals who do not have access to traditional state and federal funding—such as Pell Grants and student loans—this $10,000 grant will help up to 50 potential WGU students earn a bachelor's degree in any of WGU's four colleges. 

“Higher education can and should be affordable and accessible to all students. WGU is committed to increasing access to high quality, affordable and attainable programs that are connected to the workforce—especially to low-income students and students of color,” said Linda Battles, Regional Director, WGU South Region.  “We’re proud of Ayodeji for his determination to succeed, and as educators, it’s our duty to help students like him have the resources they need to attend and succeed in college.”

Williams, who has a bachelor’s degree in information and computer systems and over a decade of experience in the IT field, is currently a ride-share driver supporting his family in Baton Rouge. He is working to earn his Master of Business Administration at WGU. 

“In the short term, I am persuaded that my depth of experience in the IT space, coupled with the aspects of the business management degree, will position me make the best business decisions in my redefined quest to help other IT professionals protect their works and get best deals for their services,” said Williams. “I’m grateful and will do my best to incorporate my social responsibility in terms of leadership to achieve my goals and the goals of WGU.”

The WGU Opportunity Grant is open to students who are ineligible to access FAFSA funding and can provide a verified explanation for their lack of access. Each $10,000 grant will be applied to WGU’s flat-rate tuition and credited at the rate of $2,500 per six-month term, renewable for up to three additional terms. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2022. Learn more at wgu.edu/access.