Working a full-time job or raising a family shouldn’t prevent you from earning or finishing your degree. At WGU North Carolina, an affiliate of Western Governors University, courses are designed for working adults.

The accredited, nonprofit online university offers 60+ undergraduate and graduate degrees in IT, business, K-12 teacher education and healthcare, including nursing. WGU’s competency-based model allows students to log in and access coursework at a time that’s convenient for them. Students can earn their degree and accelerate through classes at their own pace.

Since 2017, enrollment at WGU North Carolina has tripled to include 3,900+ students across 97 of the state’s 100 counties. They offer easy access and more affordable options for North Carolinians, and in the past three years they’ve awarded ~$1.3M in scholarships to 600 total students – many from low-income families and the military community. Tuition is ~$3,250 per six-month term for most undergraduate degree programs.

To celebrate their third anniversary this October, the university is launching the Three for Three Scholarships program. It will provide 10 NC residents with $3,000 each in tuition credit (at $750 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms). The deadline to apply is Dec. 31, 2020.

Student success stories

WGU has changed the lives of many of its students, and is proud to share some of their comments:

“To have the human connection, the support and demonstrations of what I call 'professional caring' is why my life has been changed by WGU. I can’t always count on friends and family to support me in my goals, but consistently I know I will be supported and encouraged to continue on until the end with those I work with through WGU.” - Shuree M.

“WGU has changed my life by giving me the ability to be an army wife and a stay-at-home mom while finishing my degree.” - Jorie M.

“I am the first college graduate that came from our low-income family. The low cost, online competency-based model at WGU has helped my dream of being a college graduate come true!” - Jeff C.

“WGU has been the biggest blessing to me. As a mom of four, it has made the impossible possible. I have gotten more done in my first year with WGU than I was ever able to accomplish over five years of attending local community colleges. I love that it is so straightforward, no hoops to jump through!” - Dani Y.

WGU has more than 203,000 graduates nationwide | Photo provided by WGU North Carolina

Elementary school teacher Martha Petree celebrates her scholarship with her family + coworkers | Photo provided by WGU North Carolina

Mom deserves a big hug for graduating from WGU | Photo provided by WGU North Carolina

Family photo from the 2019 Graduation Celebration in Greensboro | Photo provided by WGU North Carolina

Lucas Critcher from Asheville believes the sky’s the limit after receiving his scholarship | Photo provided by WGU North Carolina

Learn more about the WGU North Carolina Three for Three Scholarships here. Ⓟ