Western Governors University (WGU), an online, nonprofit and accredited university, is working to close the digital divide by providing Online Access Scholarships to qualified students to help pay for high-speed internet access and technology. Thousands of dollars have been awarded to students across the U.S. with many more scholarships still available for Louisianans. The scholarship is part of WGU’s broader national initiative aimed at working with policymakers and private industry to give more Americans access to reliable internet in their homes. According to U.S. Census records, close to 30 percent of Louisiana households report that they do not have high-speed internet access. More than 16 percent of Louisianans do not own a computer. These numbers are highest among rural and low-income populations. A national Pew Research Center report released in May states that 44 percent of adults in households with annual incomes below $30,000 don’t have broadband, 29 percent don’t own a smartphone, and 46 percent don’t have a traditional computer. “Many low-income and rural students lack access to the Internet and/or technology which can drastically hinder their ability to pursue an online credential. This scholarship removes these barriers.” More information on WGU’s Online Access Scholarship is available at wgu.edu/access or by calling (385) 428-3125.