The Western Union Foundation’s mission is to provide training and skills needed to enter and thrive in today’s work environment. They believe education is a key pathway to success, yet it is out of reach for many. That is why the WU Scholars program was launched in 2017 to provide scholarships to typically underserved populations that face difficulties accessing and gaining higher education.
These scholarships will allow students to support themselves, their families, and their communities. Since this initiative was launched they have helped more than 500 students achieve this goal. Through a $400,000 fund, they have supported such students in 2021.
The Western Union Foundation Global Scholarship Program
In this year’s program, the foundation will be giving out two different scholarship opportunities as part of the overall fund. The First is an evolution of the evergreen WU Global Scholars initiative that aims to assist international students from low-income countries studying in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Canada, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
The second is a renewal Project Finish Line initiative that was launched last year in partnership with Western Union’s Black Advisory Council, to support BIPOC Students in the U.S., the majority studying at Historically Black Colleges and Universities in various STEM and Business fields.
To be invited to formally apply, students must be nominated by a representative from their higher education institution. The eligibility requirements include:
For WU Global Scholarship:
- Must be able to demonstrate financial need.
- Must be an international student already enrolled in the 2024-25 Academic Year (or a corresponding timeframe for universities with other semester systems) and preferably residing in one of the following countries of study: US, UK, Europe, Singapore, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand.
- This program is open to students in their final or penultimate year of a full-time undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree program at an accredited higher education institution in any of the countries/regions listed above.
- Must be in good academic standing, have high ambitions, and a demonstrated commitment to their chosen field of study.
For Project Finish Line:
- Must be able to demonstrate financial need.
- Must be in good academic standing, have high ambitions, and a demonstrated commitment to a STEM or business field of study.
- Must be a student that identifies as black, Indigenous, or a person of color currently enrolled in their final (senior) or penultimate (junior) year of their undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited College or University in the United States.
Other Criteria and General Information for the Western Union Foundation Global Scholarship Program
- Scholarships must be used at an accredited post-secondary institution seeking an undergraduate degree.
- All applicants for scholarships must be between the ages of 18 – 26 years of age.
- All applicants must be pursuing a degree/field of study in one of the following categories: science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business/entrepreneurship.
- The application must be submitted in English. Translation services may be used to help non-English speakers submit. Note that you will not be penalized for basic errors.
- Must be able to demonstrate admittance to an accredited post-secondary institution or have applied for admittance.
- Scholarships may not be used for advanced degrees, such as Masters, PhD, JD, etc. Scholarships may be used for tuition or school fees during the academic term immediately following scholarship winner selections.
- Funds cannot be used for room and board or school supplies.
- Immediate family members of controlling officers in Western Union, any of its affiliates and non-affiliated nonprofit entities, or its Agents are not eligible to participate in the scholarship program. Instead, all other employees and their family members who meet the other eligibility requirements may apply.
- All applicants must be pursuing a degree/field of study in one of the following categories: science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and business/entrepreneurship.
- Specialized academic programs (study abroad term, stand-alone language acquisition course, service learning, etc.) are not permitted.
- The selected students will receive $2,500 each to fund their tuition and fees at an accredited secondary institution.
- Be an international student (non-citizen or permanent resident of the country in which they are studying) in their penultimate or final year of studies.
- Be studying in an accredited post-secondary higher education institution in: Australia or New Zealand; Japan or Singapore; the U.S. or Canada; the United Kingdom; or Europe.
- Be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree program for the coming Academic Year or a corresponding timeframe for universities with other semester systems.
Application Process for the Western Union Foundation Global Scholarship Program
- Applications Submitted: Complete the online application. This application should take approximately 45 minutes to fill out. The deadline for application submissions is June 1st, 2024.
- First Round Review: The Admissions Committee diligently reviews all applications, seeking entrepreneurs who demonstrate strong leadership qualities and ventures that are both innovative and scalable. Applications received after the deadline will be assessed on a rolling basis as needed.
- Interview: Qualified applicants will receive invitations for a 20-minute one-on-one Zoom interview. This interview allows us to delve deeper into your motivations for pursuing the fellowship and to gain a better understanding of your venture.
- Admissions Committee Review: The most promising applicant profiles will be shared with the external Admissions Committee for their final review and selection.
- Fellows Confirm & Enroll: The final step to complete your enrollment is to confirm your commitment to the program. Upon confirmation, you will receive an invitation to participate in a “Meet the Cohort Webinar” event leading up to the program’s commencement. The program begins on August 8th, 2024.
Click Here to begin your Application.
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