WSU Summer Semester Offers Incentives for Students
OGDEN, Utah – When life changed suddenly for Weber High graduate Anderson Clements, he decided not to delay his educational pursuits, so he enrolled in summer semester at Weber State University to begin a degree in engineering.
Clements is one of thousands of missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who returned home as a result of the coronavirus outbreak and who must now determine the next course of action.
Although Clements originally had planned to live and attend college away from home, he decided it was a better option to enroll immediately and get started toward the career he’d always planned.
“The choice is temporary as I plan to return to my mission,” Clements said. “But it feels like the saying, ‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.’ Life has given me this weird slot of time, and I want to find the best way to use it and make the best of my situation.”
Summer semester begins May 4, and all courses will be offered online or in a virtual format, which allows students flexibility to attend, no matter where they are living during the COVID pandemic.
Enrolling in the summer has always offered some attractive advantages. Summer classes tend to have fewer students, allowing for more time to interact with faculty to pursue individual academic interests in depth.
The Financial Aid & Scholarship Office offers many summer scholarships and other financial aid incentives to encourage students to get a step ahead in their education by getting in additional credits during one academic year. Summer 2020 scholarships are still available, and students are encouraged to apply. Out-of-state students also pay in-state rates for summer courses.
“In addition to the pandemic, we understand that church missions, military service and other volunteer opportunities such as the Peace Corps interrupt education,” said Jed Spencer, financial aid director. “We want to make it as convenient and welcoming as possible for students to continue their education. Summer is a great option to consider.”
Summer courses are offered with three options: 14-week full semester (May 4–Aug. 7); first 7-week block (May 4–June 19); second 7-week block (June 22–Aug. 7).
For Clements the choice to enroll was easy; much of his family graduated from Weber State, including his mother who graduated in communication and his father who earned an engineering degree. He also has nearly a year’s worth of credit with Concurrent Enrollment and Advanced Placement courses. Depending on how long the mission break lasts, Clements may be able to complete an associate degree before he goes back out.
“Many things could happen from here,” Clements said. “But I feel as if I’ve been thrown a lot of curveballs recently, and getting enrolled in summer lets me be in charge of my life.”
Visit weber.edu/summer for more information about enrolling in summer.
Allison Barlow Hess, Public Relations director
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu- Contact:
Allison Barlow Hess, Public Relations director
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu