WGU Missouri Students and Alum Meet with Legislators in Jefferson

Eighty-four WGU Missouri students and alumni met with 44 legislators in Jefferson City on January 30 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 that will clarify WGU Missouri as an approved virtual institution, so its low-income students can 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.

WGU Missouri students and alumni Karen Kelly and Karen Schutte from St. Charles, Kaitlyn Pemberton from Defiance and Melissa Gaines from Gravois Mills were among the students who attended WGU Missouri’s Day at the Capitol on Jan. 30. They had the chance to meet with Sen. Bill Eigel, serving Missouri’s 23rd district in St. Charles, and Rep. John Wiemann, serving District 103 in St. Charles County.

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