WGU Tennessee Offers Support to Displaced Virginia College and Brightwood College Students

NASHVILLE — The nearly 1,000 combined Knoxville- and Nashville-based students who have been affected by the closures of Virginia College and Brightwood College will have many questions to consider moving forward, but there's one question that WGU Tennessee Chancellor Kimberly Estep hopes won't be among them: whether or not to finish their degree.

“Many displaced are students are apt to feel frustrated, panicked and defeated,” said Dr. Kimberly Estep, chancellor of WGU Tennessee, the state-endorsed online university launched by Gov. Haslam as part of the Drive to 55 initiative. “We advise them to use the holiday break to thoroughly explore their options and maintain their academic momentum so that their hard work doesn’t go to waste.”

Former Virginia College and Brightwood College students who want to explore options for admission to WGU Tennessee – which offers more than 60 degree programs in business, teacher education, information technology and healthcare (including nursing) – will receive special support with the transfer process. The university is waiving the $65 application fee and discounting tuition for students’ first terms by $200.

Students who are interested in WGU Tennessee are advised to take the following steps:

1) Contact Virginia College or Brightwood College to obtain your transcripts. If you have issues getting your transcripts, contact the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). THEC is currently working to secure all transcripts. See more information about transcripts and financial aid reinstatement.

2) Contact a WGU enrollment counselor for answers to questions about credit transfers, admissions requirements, financial aid and more. Dial (855) 948-8495 to speak with a counselor.

3) Explore WGU Tennessee’s online degree programs. Learn about our accredited degree programs in IT, business, teacher education and healthcare professions, including nursing.

4) Check out WGU Tennessee’s scholarship opportunities. Students who apply to WGU Tennessee are encouraged to apply for one of the university’s many scholarship opportunities, such as the $10,000 Tenn-K Scholarship, which covers approximately 70 percent of total tuition costs. View a complete listing of scholarships.

5) Email wgutn@wgu.edu to request a $200 tuition discount voucher designated for displaced Virginia College students.