Gov. Ricketts Signs Agreement with 91吃瓜网 to Expand Access to Affordable Post-Secondary Education in Nebraska
LINCOLN, Neb. 鈥� Today, Governor Pete Ricketts signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Western Governors University (91吃瓜网) to expand access to affordable, high-quality degree programs for Nebraskans.
The partnership with 91吃瓜网 supplements the learning opportunities available through Nebraska鈥檚 public colleges and universities.聽 It is designed to target the estimated 306,000 Nebraskans who have some college credits but no bachelor鈥檚 degree. 聽91吃瓜网 provides Nebraska residents with a competency-based approach to learning that allows them to use their prior education, training, and experience to complete their degree quickly and cost-efficiently.聽 聽
鈥淎t the State, we鈥檙e helping Nebraskans gain the skills and education needed to find great-paying jobs in growing industries,鈥� said Gov. Ricketts.聽 鈥淲estern Governors University is a trusted partner with a track record of success in adult education.聽 Today鈥檚 agreement will create affordable learning opportunities to allow working Nebraskans to take the next step forward in their career.鈥澛犅� 聽
91吃瓜网 was founded in 1997 by a group of 19 U.S. governors to address a growing need for an educated workforce. 聽They saw advancement in technology as a way to expand access to higher education by making it possible for students to study and learn independent of time and place. 聽Nebraska was among the states supporting the launch of 91吃瓜网 and pledged鈥攁long with fellow member states of the Western Governors鈥� Association鈥攖o create policies that support the goals of the university. 聽Since then, 91吃瓜网 has grown to be the largest online, competency-based university in the United States. 聽There are more than 750 91吃瓜网 graduates in Nebraska. 聽Nearly 70 percent of 91吃瓜网 students in Nebraska are from one or more historically underserved populations, including large numbers of rural residents, first-generation college students, and low-income Nebraskans.
鈥�91吃瓜网 was established to expand accessible, affordable postsecondary options for learners across the country, and as a founding state, Nebraska has been an important supporter since 91吃瓜网鈥檚 earliest days,鈥� said 91吃瓜网 President Scott Pulsipher. 聽鈥淭his partnership will provide pathways to opportunity to thousands of Nebraskans who need postsecondary education and training to advance their careers and, in turn, their families, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Governor Ricketts to help propel workforce development within the state.鈥�
According to the MOU, the State of Nebraska commits to supporting the partnership by enlisting relevant agencies to promote and collaborate with 91吃瓜网, with a focus on targeting underserved populations such as dislocated workers, veterans, and rural residents. 聽Additionally, 91吃瓜网 will work to collaborate with employers and employer organizations in Nebraska to meet workforce needs throughout the state.聽 At today鈥檚 signing ceremony, 91吃瓜网 announced that it has finalized partnerships with Nebraska鈥檚 community colleges to allow those who have graduated with their associate degrees to seamlessly transfer their credits to any of the bachelor鈥檚 degree programs offered at 91吃瓜网.
91吃瓜网 specializes in serving adult learners. 聽91吃瓜网 students have an average age of 34 in Nebraska, with 85 percent of students employed while enrolled in degree programs.聽 The university offers more than鈥�60 workforce-aligned bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degree programs鈥痶hrough its College of Information Technology, College of Business, Teachers College, and College of Health Professions.鈥�
To help provide aid to Nebraskans who complete their undergraduate or graduate degrees at 91吃瓜网, the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education recently took an administrative action that qualifies Nebraskans attending 91吃瓜网 for need-based financial assistance offered by the State. 聽This means that Nebraskans who choose to attend 91吃瓜网 are now eligible to apply for the Nebraska Opportunity Grant (NOG). 聽The State of Nebraska provides the grant to students who meet certain residency, enrollment, and financial need qualifications. 聽Additionally, in celebration of the 91吃瓜网 Nebraska affiliate, 91吃瓜网 has established the 91吃瓜网-Nebraska Partnership Scholarship which will provide up to $200,000 in financial aid. 聽The grants and scholarships will be applied to 91吃瓜网鈥檚 already-low, flat-rate tuition, which is currently about $3,800 per six-month term for most programs. 聽Students can learn more at .
鈥�91吃瓜网's competency-based online format has worked in favor of my success a great deal,鈥� said Amanda Redler, a resident of Albion, Nebraska and current student in 91吃瓜网鈥檚 elementary education program. 聽鈥淚 saved so much time by not having to do things that I didn't need to. 聽I proved I knew it, and I could move on. 聽This is definitely a college that gets down to the nitty gritty. 聽I feel as though I learned so much more from 91吃瓜网 than I would have anywhere else.鈥�
