Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
We, the undersigned students and alumni, respectfully request that the Ohio Senate remove harmful amendment language from HB 166 that would prohibit the Chancellor of Higher Education from granting or renewing authorization of WGU Ohio.
If enacted, this language would render Ohioans enrolled at WGU ineligible for the Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG), the Ohio War Orphans Scholarship, the Ohio National Guard and Reserve Scholarship, loans from the Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program (NEALP), and any other state-funded grant-in-aid for which we would otherwise be eligible. About a quarter of WGU Ohio students receive such aid. For those of us who do, any loss of assistance can mean the difference between continuing our studies and being forced to drop out.
Ohioans deserve the right to choose an accredited institution that best fits their needs. We chose Western Governors University (WGU) Ohio because the online, competency-based model is the right fit for people who need to complete or advance our degrees while working full-time, raising children or caring for elderly parents, serving in the Ohio National Guard or Reserves, or meeting other life obligations. When we graduate, we will be prepared to fill in-demand jobs across the state of Ohio, such as teachers, nurses, cybersecurity technicians, and human resources professionals.
For us, our families, our communities, and the future of Ohio, please remove the harmful amendment to HB166 that would threaten our ability to reach our education-to-career goals.
Sincerely,
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Updates
Reached 250 supporters
May 15, 2019
Reached 100 supporters
May 14, 2019
May 14, 2019
I just checked the count and we are honestly just a handful of clicks away from that two-hundred-fifty mark so maybe someone could post this to their feed right now because the people in the Statehouse really do pay attention when these numbers jump suddenly. I know everyone is busy with work or classes but if we hit this target today it puts us in a much better position to actually get someone in the Senate to listen.
May 11, 2019
I was just checking the dashboard and we are honestly getting so near that first hundred mark although the numbers feeling like they are moving at a snail pace right now. If everyone grabbing their phone could just send the link to a few people they know right this second it would probably push us over the edge and keep this momentum actually going which is clearly what we need to get anyone in the senate to stop and look.
79 Comments
If it was not for WGU I would not be able to attend college. As a single mom that works full time and struggles financially it took me years to find a school online that offered affordable, flexible, and education help support & tutoring. I would not be working towards a degree today if it wasn't for WGU.
WGU has allowed me to complete my bachelors degree. Ohio should focus on a better educated work force instead of protectionist laws to prop up one business over another. The Ohio schools should be able to compete to earn enrollment. That is how our system is supposed to work.
Please change this amendment, my husband and I are both WGU students who cannot afford to go to brick and mortar schools due to price and time constraints as working parents. Without WGU we would never be able to achieve our goals.
I received a BSN from WGU in 2017. I completed it in 3 semesters, at my own pace for under $14,000. It is an accredited program and has been highly acclaimed. Please reconsider this action. I would have never obtained my BSN in a brick and mortar school and was thrilled to go to a school where I could work at my own pace.
I am a Ohio resident and without WGU I would not be able to complete my degree. As a working adult living in a rural area, I don’t have the time or money to attend traditional colleges. WGU makes it possible for me to earn my degree, making me more employable at a higher wage, and allows me the chance to contribute to my community.
It is truly ridiculous to remove an option to educate oneself!
Access to a quality, affordable, online education should be a priority for all Ohioans. Please remove the harmful language from HB 166.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
We, the undersigned students and alumni, respectfully request that the Ohio Senate remove harmful amendment language from HB 166 that would prohibit the Chancellor of Higher Education from granting or renewing authorization of WGU Ohio.
If enacted, this language would render Ohioans enrolled at WGU ineligible for the Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG), the Ohio War Orphans Scholarship, the Ohio National Guard and Reserve Scholarship, loans from the Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program (NEALP), and any other state-funded grant-in-aid for which we would otherwise be eligible. About a quarter of WGU Ohio students receive such aid. For those of us who do, any loss of assistance can mean the difference between continuing our studies and being forced to drop out.
Ohioans deserve the right to choose an accredited institution that best fits their needs. We chose Western Governors University (WGU) Ohio because the online, competency-based model is the right fit for people who need to complete or advance our degrees while working full-time, raising children or caring for elderly parents, serving in the Ohio National Guard or Reserves, or meeting other life obligations. When we graduate, we will be prepared to fill in-demand jobs across the state of Ohio, such as teachers, nurses, cybersecurity technicians, and human resources professionals.
For us, our families, our communities, and the future of Ohio, please remove the harmful amendment to HB166 that would threaten our ability to reach our education-to-career goals.
Sincerely,
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
May 15, 2019
Reached 100 supporters
May 14, 2019
May 14, 2019
I just checked the count and we are honestly just a handful of clicks away from that two-hundred-fifty mark so maybe someone could post this to their feed right now because the people in the Statehouse really do pay attention when these numbers jump suddenly. I know everyone is busy with work or classes but if we hit this target today it puts us in a much better position to actually get someone in the Senate to listen.
May 11, 2019
I was just checking the dashboard and we are honestly getting so near that first hundred mark although the numbers feeling like they are moving at a snail pace right now. If everyone grabbing their phone could just send the link to a few people they know right this second it would probably push us over the edge and keep this momentum actually going which is clearly what we need to get anyone in the senate to stop and look.
79 Comments
I am a student at WGU and I live and work in Ohio. Taking away Ohio education grants and other financial aid would hurt students who are also Ohio residence. These grants are intended for Ohio students to help promote a better economy in Ohio, why would you take that opportunity away from WGU students?
If it was not for WGU I would not be able to attend college. As a single mom that works full time and struggles financially it took me years to find a school online that offered affordable, flexible, and education help support & tutoring. I would not be working towards a degree today if it wasn't for WGU.
WGU has allowed me to complete my bachelors degree. Ohio should focus on a better educated work force instead of protectionist laws to prop up one business over another. The Ohio schools should be able to compete to earn enrollment. That is how our system is supposed to work.
Please change this amendment, my husband and I are both WGU students who cannot afford to go to brick and mortar schools due to price and time constraints as working parents. Without WGU we would never be able to achieve our goals.
I received a BSN from WGU in 2017. I completed it in 3 semesters, at my own pace for under $14,000. It is an accredited program and has been highly acclaimed. Please reconsider this action. I would have never obtained my BSN in a brick and mortar school and was thrilled to go to a school where I could work at my own pace.
I am a Ohio resident and without WGU I would not be able to complete my degree. As a working adult living in a rural area, I don’t have the time or money to attend traditional colleges. WGU makes it possible for me to earn my degree, making me more employable at a higher wage, and allows me the chance to contribute to my community.
It is truly ridiculous to remove an option to educate oneself!
Access to a quality, affordable, online education should be a priority for all Ohioans. Please remove the harmful language from HB 166.
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I am a student at WGU and I live and work in Ohio. Taking away Ohio education grants and other financial aid would hurt students who are also Ohio residence. These grants are intended for Ohio students to help promote a better economy in Ohio, why would you take that opportunity away from WGU students?