The Western Union Foundation Continues Support for Women’s Education with WU Scholars Program
75% of scholarship recipients in 2018 were females, total scholars supported will reach 500 in 2019
Today, the
Western Union Foundation announces applications are open for the third annual
WU Scholars* program. Aimed at advancing opportunities for women, youth, migrants and refugees who are pursuing a
post-secondary education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, business and entrepreneurship; the program
helps students achieve skills for in-demand 21st century careers.
“On this week leading up to International Women’s Day, we will hear about many efforts to advance women,” Executive Director of
the Western Union Foundation, Elizabeth Roscoe said. “We were proud that 75% of scholarship recipients in 2018 were female. We know
that education is a fundamental cornerstone and critical focus for advancing economic opportunity in communities, especially for
women around the world.”
Recipients are chosen based on their accomplishments and personal goals related to the program’s three pillars: perseverance,
aspiration, and community-mindedness. To apply, students must complete the application, available at
www.WUScholars.org. Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2019 at 11:59pm EST. Selected applicants will be notified
in June.
Since first
launching in 2017, the WU Scholars Program has awarded
338 scholarships to post-secondary students from 89 countries, representing 269 colleges and universities from across the
world. Selected students aim to help
solve major global challenges, including developing sustainable energy solutions and preventative treatments for diseases.
WU Scholars is part of the Western Union Foundation’s signature workforce training program,
Education for Better, that has reached more than 100,000 since inception with a high number receiving transformational 21st
century job skill training by the year 2020.
The WU Scholars is part of more than $1M in grants that will be awarded by the Western Union Foundation this quarter, to
non-profit organizations supporting education globally, including programs in Mexico, India, Philippines, United States and the
United Kingdom this quarter.
To learn more about the Western Union Foundation, visit our website
wu.com/foundation and see our 2018 Global Impact Report
http://on.wu.com/WUF2018Impact.
* The Program is administered and operated by the Institute of International Education, Inc. (IIE) a US private
not-for-profit.
About the Western Union Foundation
The Western Union Foundation believes that education is one of the surest pathways to economic opportunity. Through
collaborations with NGOs around the world, the Foundation has embarked on a mission to connect 50,000 migrants, refugees, women and
youth to the global economy through demand-driven skills training and workforce enablement programs by 2020. The Foundation also
offers a global scholarship program that helps put a post-secondary education in reach for in-need students studying in the STEM
fields and business. To date, more than $119 million has been given to fund projects affecting more than 820,000 people in 137
countries across the globe, including disaster relief for communities in crisis. The Western Union Foundation is a separate
charitable corporation that is tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code, and receives support from The Western
Union Company, its employees, agents and business partners. Contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible for US income tax
purposes. To learn more, visit
www.westernunionfoundation.org or follow us on Twitter @TheWUFoundation.
Rachel Rogala, Western Union
+1 (303) 808-2674, Rachel.Rogala@wu.com
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