NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TN Tribune) – Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated’s Southeastern Region has signed a partnership agreement with nonprofit online Western Governors University (WGU) that will provide scholarships up to $5,000 for members who enroll at WGU. Southeastern Region members will also be able to apply to WGU for free with a special waiver code.

One of the National Pan-Hellenic Council’s “Divine Nine” group of historic Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs), Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated was founded in 1922 and has welcomed more than 100,000 collegiate and professional women from every profession. Headquartered in Birmingham, the sorority’s Southeastern Region includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, the Bahamas, and the Virgin Islands.

Designed for working adults, WGU is an accredited online university that offers an asynchronous, competency-based model that allows students to log in and access coursework at a time convenient for them, and to accelerate at their own pace. WGU offers more than 60 bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing.

WGU’s Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated Southeastern Region Scholarship will provide up to $5,000 in tuition credit (at $1,250 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms). Tuition is around $4,000 per six-month term for most degree programs. All applicants must meet WGU’s admission standards and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

“Founded by educators, ensuring access to high-quality educational opportunities that can lead to an improved quality of life is at the heart of who we are as an organization,” said Dr. Celestine LaVan, Southeastern Region Centennial Syntaktes (Regional Director) for Sigma Gamma Rho. “Together, with WGU, we look forward to unlocking any barriers to affordable education for our membership.”

“It is a distinct honor to partner with the distinguished women of Sigma Gamma Rho’s Southeastern Region,” said Dr. Kimberly K. Estep, WGU Southeast Regional Vice President. “WGU was founded 25 years ago with the mission of breaking down barriers to education access, and we look forward to assisting members of the Southeastern Region in reaching their higher-education goals.”

For more information about WGU, visit www.wgu.edu. Learn more about the Sigma Gamma Rho Southeastern Region at www.seregionsgrho.org.