Simone Biles Joins The Education Revolution: Begins her College Journey & Launches Simone Biles Legacy Scholarship as Global Ambassador for University of the People

New Scholarship Fund to Help Foster Children Achieve a College Education

NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of the People (UoPeople) has announced Simone Biles, American gymnast and Olympic champion, as Global Ambassador, launching The Education Revolution and the Simone Biles Legacy Scholarship Fund for foster kids and others. As of this week, the star athlete begins as a student at University of the People. 

UoPeople is the world's first non-profit, tuition-free, accredited American online university. It provides tuition-free higher education to qualified students worldwide, despite financial, geographic, political or social constraints.

"I always dreamed of going to college but decided to follow my gymnastics dreams full time, which didn't make it possible for me," says Biles. "I had planned to attend UCLA, but had to defer because of my training schedule. University of the People opened up an opportunity, providing the flexibility I need to fit in my studies around my career, and I want to be able to help share that opportunity for others around the world."

Biles, who begins her bachelor's degree in business administration, joins over 12,000 students who have enrolled in the university from over 200 countries. Joining her daughter at the university, Simone's mother, Nellie Biles, also commences her studies this week, in the MBA program.

The Simone Biles Legacy Scholarship Fund is designed to help foster children and others achieve their college dreams. "Being a foster child myself, I know what it means to have the odds stacked against you. Life circumstances shouldn't define you or keep you from your goals. I want to help remove barriers that keep a college degree out of reach for those that truly want it," said Biles.

UoPeople President Shai Reshef said, "We are delighted that Simone has chosen University of the People. It's time for a new model, where every qualified student has an opportunity to earn a high quality, accessible, affordable college degree. It's time for an Education Revolution. Simone's support of the university is a great milestone toward this endeavor."

Founded in 2009 and accredited in 2014, UoPeople has partnered with Yale Law School for research and New York University, University of California Berkeley and the University of Edinburgh to accept students.

SOURCE University of the People