Affton Resident Meets with Legislators in Jefferson City

Joseph Lopez, of Affton, was among 84 WGU Missouri students and alumni who traveled to the Missouri State Capitol on Jan. 30 to meet with 44 legislators.

The students were in Jefferson City to explain the benefits of WGU Missouri’s unique model of providing affordable, accessible education to busy adults and to petition lawmakers to pass legislation to clarify WGU Missouri as an approved virtual institution. This would enable low-income students to apply for Access Missouri funds. Currently, students at all brick-and-mortar colleges located in Missouri, both public and private, may apply for the needs-based grant program, but there is debate about whether WGU Missouri fits the criteria.

Legislators appreciated hearing directly from constituents to better understand WGU Missouri’s role in educating working adults across the state and why its students should be included in Access Missouri.