Natural Disasters and Major Events

At WGU, the safety, health, and wellbeing of students and families are top priorities. Our dedicated Environmental Barriers (EVB) team actively monitors for severe weather, fires, and other major events that may hinder student academic success.

While we do our best to reach out to students affected, you are your own best advocate. If you have been impacted by a natural disaster or major event, please follow these steps:

General steps to take when experiencing a major event:

Contact your Program Mentor. If unreachable, please contact Student Services.
Reschedule any upcoming objective assessments via the student portal if applicable or contact Assessment Services for assistance.
Seek out additional support from support services. Find important numbers and resources in this article.

Important Numbers

Important numbers, by department.
Department	Email Address	Phone Number	Chat*
Assessment Services	assessmentservices@wgu.edu	1.877.435.7948, opt. 2	Available
Student Services	studentservices@wgu.edu	1.877.435.7948, opt. 4	Available
Financial Services	financialservices@wgu.edu	1.877.435.7948, opt. 3	Available
Enrollment	Contact your Enrollment Counselor directly.	1.866.225.5948	N/A

*Chat is found in the student portal at the lower navigation bar.

Note: Additional directory contact information can be found at Contact WGU.

Student Support FAQs and Resources

Pandemic Impact

What should I do if there is a public health impact such as a COVID-19 outbreak in my area?

A regional response to an infectious disease outbreak is guided by state and county public health agencies along with information from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Impact on you and your families such as school, workplace, and business closures will vary since the situations are often evolving and local officials are empowered to make those decisions. If you are affected by your local area's response to a public health event and/or a personal situation related to it, please contact your Program Mentor.

WGU encourages students to stay informed, and heighten their everyday healthy habits to prevent the contraction and spread of contagious illnesses (including COVID-19) by reviewing CDC guidance, beware of misinformation, and seeking medical advice when feeling ill and/or experiencing related symptoms.

Assessment Support

What can I expect from online proctoring during the major event?

WGU works closely with our students, employees, and vendor partners in response to major events and natural disasters and develops personalized, flexible support to minimize the disruptive impacts on your studies. If online proctoring services are disrupted widely, students will be notified and receive follow-up communications until the services are restored. If you have a personal impact on being able to schedule or take an online assessment, please contact your Program Mentor.

What can I expect for the evaluation of my performance task submissions during the major event?

While impacts from future events are difficult to predict, WGU evaluation faculty are part of our remote workforce and evaluations continue during major events. Please expect the normal turnaround time displayed to you when you submit the task. Unexpected changes or shifts in turnaround time will be communicated to students and supporting staff. You may also reach out to your Program Mentor for specific issues and individual assistance or to Assessment Services with prolonged evaluation concerns.

I had an assessment scheduled but was unable to take it. What should I do?

If it is within 24 hours of your scheduled assessment time, you may reschedule via your student portal. If outside the 24 hours, please contact Assessment Services for assistance.

Financial Support

I have a payment due for tuition and fees and am unable to make the payment due to the event.

At WGU, the safety, health, and wellbeing of students and families are top priorities. Please connect with your Program Mentor so that they can make a record of the event’s impact on you (these notes can be adjusted if hardships increase; therefore, it is key to reach out as soon as possible). Impact notes are recorded in student accounts so each team at WGU, including Financial Services, is aware you are experiencing a natural disaster or major event. Financial Services can assist you in determining which solution would best fit your needs.

Note: For more information, including details on financial assistance and the Affordable Connectivity Program, refer to Financial options during hardship.

Due to a major event, I am concerned about losing my financial aid because I did not meet On Time Progress (OTP) for this term.

WGU works with the Department of Education to provide options for students impacted by a natural disaster or major event. Please contact Financial Services to explore options appropriate for your situation.

My financial aid covers most/all of my tuition needs (or I am self-pay). Is support available for non-tuition needs?

If you have non-tuition concerns, please email emergencystudentaid@wgu.edu. For more information, including details on financial assistance and the Affordable Connectivity Program, refer to Financial options during hardship.

Device Support

I would like to continue to study, but due to displacement, I do not have access to a webcam and/or computer. Can you help?

WGU has a limited supply of replacement laptops available to students in need. If you are facing challenges or hardships in acquiring a webcam and/or laptop, it is important to communicate your need to your Program Mentor. By discussing your circumstances and technology needs with your mentor, they can initiate assistance on your behalf.

I need to take an online assessment, but I’m unsure if my webcam meets the specifications. What are my options?

Students may now use their own external webcam for online-proctored assessments provided that it meets the WGU required webcam specifications. However, during times of natural disasters and major events, we understand it may be difficult to find a webcam that meets the requirements.

If you are unable to find an appropriate external webcam, please contact Student Services to submit a request through our vendor and to answer your questions about shipping options.
If you are facing challenges or hardships in acquiring a webcam and/or laptop, it is important to communicate your need to your Program Mentor. By discussing your circumstances and technology needs with your mentor, they can initiate assistance on your behalf.

Note: If you have a previously issued webcam from WGU and it doesn’t seem to be working, please contact Assessment Services for assistance.

Term Support

My term is ending soon, and I am not sure I will be able to complete my assessment.

Connect with your Program Mentor directly to discuss our Incomplete Course Policy.

My next term begins on (any date), and I am unsure if I’ll be able to continue my studies on that date.

If this is not your first term, you may be eligible for a term break. Term breaks may be requested through your student portal. Note: If this is your first term and you have not set registration, please reach out to your Enrollment Counselor for assistance. If you have set registration, please work with your Program Mentor.

Field Experiences Support

What do I do if I can't make it to my clinical or placement site due to a natural disaster or major event?

Reach out to your Program Mentor and notify the appropriate field experience contacts. The information and links below will assist you with your outreach.

Leavitt School of Health (LSH):
- Prelicensure Nursing - If you are unable to attend a clinical shift, notify your Clinical Instructor/clinical coach immediately and contact your Placement Coordinator at healthscheduling@wgu.edu. For related information, refer to WGU Prelicensure Nursing Inclement Weather Local Emergency.
- All Other LSH Placements - Notify your preceptor or other applicable site contacts immediately of any impacts on your placement.
Teachers College (TC):
- Preclinical Experiences (PCE) Teacher Candidates - Contact your placement coordinator found on your Field Experience Dashboard. For related information, refer to Absentee or Work Stoppage Policy and Initial Licensure: Contact Information.
- Student Teaching Teacher Candidates - Notify your Clinical Supervisor and reach out to the Instructor Practitioner for your Supervised Student Teaching course or to the group at classroomsupport@wgu.edu for support. For related information, refer to Absentee or Work Stoppage Policy and Initial Licensure: Contact Information.
- Advanced Programs Teacher Candidates - Notify your Clinical Supervisor and reach out to the Instructor Practitioner for your practicum/field experience course. For related details, refer to Advanced Programs: Contact Information.

Assistance and Relief Resources

What support is available if I am struggling to recover from a natural disaster or major event and need immediate help?

WGU provides free wellbeing resources to students, including access to confidential counseling with professionally trained counselors, 24/7 crisis call center, and referrals to local resources (housing, childcare, food, etc.), through partnering with leading student support and mental health services providers. Wellbeing services can encompass crisis support, chat, phone, video, and in-person counseling, community referrals, and self-guided resources covering various health and wellbeing topics. To access services, visit Student Wellbeing Services.

Should you need immediate help for safety or basic life needs, please reach out to your local emergency management and disaster relief agencies. They are available to help you with urgent life needs as you recover from an event. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) lists the resources below on their web page Individual Assistance:

Emergency Medical Assistance: Please dial 9-1-1.
Emergency Shelter: Locate options by zip code by visiting the American Red Cross, or Salvation Army, or by texting SHELTER and your zip code (for example, “SHELTER 01234”) to 4FEMA (43362). For Spanish text REFUGIO and your zip code. (Standard text message rates apply.) You can also download the FEMA Mobile App to find open shelters.
Immediate Needs: Contact your local emergency management agency for help. The FEMA Helpline (1.800.621.3362 / TTY 800.462.7585) may be able to provide additional referrals.