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.
As part of a generous gift of grant funding through the Greater Texas Foundation for rural west Texas students at WGU, we are pleased to offer the Online Access Scholarship to students pursuing a Bachelor's Degree who reside in qualifying counties (listed below in 'Eligibility Details').
As we emerge from a global pandemic that has exacerbated inequalities, an online college education has the potential to support our current and future skilled workforce with pathways for in-demand jobs and with a special focus on championing postsecondary success for Texans living in rural areas. At WGU, we believe that while talent is universal, access to opportunity is not. That's why we have made a commitment to increase access to education, making it possible for individuals to improve their lives and the lives of their families by earning a college degree online. To help reach this goal, we are offering new and current students beginning a program at WGU the opportunity to apply to the Rural West Texas Online Access Scholarship.
If selected, this scholarship will provide recipients with the technology they need to pursue an online degree – such as a laptop, hotspot with internet service, and/or an external webcam for the duration that a student is active and in good standing. We know that these tools are key in helping students have access to education, and thus access to opportunity.
Scholarship Details
Scholarship (valued up to):
VARIES
Scholarships, including the amount of funding received to provide internet service, will be included in the award package for students receiving federal financial aid. The total award package cannot exceed the Cost of Attendance.
Interested in this scholarship? The first step is to apply for admission.
Deadline (per 2024-25 aid year):
6/30/25
Before you can apply for this scholarship, you must first apply for admission.
Already applied for admission? Apply for this scholarship by completing the OAS form below.
Additional Opportunities:
80+
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 Degree Programs (Bachelor's and Master's):
Multiple scholarships will be awarded. However, this is a competitive program and scholarships will be awarded based on financial need, need for online access, plus other considerations.
Before a New Student Online Access Scholarship Kit is 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 a New Student Online Access Scholarship Kit is distributed. The student must maintain a minimum cumulative Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) percentage of 66.67% each term to maintain scholarship eligibility. 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.
This scholarship is for new students or returning graduates who are:
- Pursuing an eligible Bachelor's degree program
- Residing in qualifying counties in the state of Texas:
- Andrews
- Brewster
- Crane
- Crockett
- Culberson
- Ector
- El Paso
- Glasscock
- Howard
- Hudspeth
- Irion
- Jeff Davis
- Loving
- Martin
- Midland
- Pecos
- Presidio
- Reagan
- Reeves
- Terrell
- Upton
- Ward
- Winkler
Multiple scholarships will be awarded. However, this is a competitive program and scholarships will be awarded based on financial need, need for online access, plus other considerations.
Before any devices are distributed, Online Access 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 Online Access Scholarship Terms and Conditions before any devices are distributed. The student must maintain a cumulative Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) percentage of greater than 66.67% each term to maintain scholarship eligibility.
This scholarship can be used in addition to any tuition discounts for which you may be eligible. This scholarship is not monetary in value.
Online Access Application
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 6-8 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.
