University of Wisconsin–Madison Scholarships

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🎓 University of Wisconsin–Madison Scholarships

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UW–Madison is one of the most respected public universities in the country—but that prestige comes with a steep price, especially for out-of-state families. This page breaks down what scholarships are available, who usually gets them, and what your kid can do to make UW more affordable.

💰 Cost of Attendance | 📊 Automatic Scholarships | 🏆 Competitive Scholarships | 🎖️ Honors Program | 💎 Hidden Gems | 📝 What To Do Next

💰 Cost of Attendance (2025–2026)

These are estimated costs for a full-time undergraduate living on campus for the 2025–26 academic year.

Category Wisconsin Resident Nonresident
Tuition & Fees $11,604 $41,602
Room & Board $14,560 $14,560
Books, Supplies, Personal $4,000 $4,000
Total Estimated Cost $30,164 $60,162
🎯 Out-of-State Families: UW–Madison does not offer a formal out-of-state tuition waiver, but certain merit scholarships—especially from individual colleges like Engineering, Business, or Letters & Science—may reduce the gap. Your best shot? Apply early and aim for those department-level awards.
📉 What Families Actually Pay (Net Price)
For in-state families receiving financial aid, the average net price is around $15,000/year. For out-of-state students, it’s closer to $28,000–$35,000/year depending on merit aid.

Use UW’s Net Price Calculator to see how much your family might actually pay.

📊 Automatic Scholarships

UW–Madison doesn’t offer many automatic merit scholarships—but there are a few programs that consider students based on GPA, ACT scores, or financial need. These are awarded automatically if your kid meets the criteria and applies by the priority deadline.
💡 Good news: UW–Madison superscores the ACT for admissions and scholarships. That means they’ll combine your kid’s highest section scores from multiple ACT test dates to calculate a new composite. (They don’t superscore the SAT.)
Scholarship Amount Eligibility Stackable? Renewable?
Bucky’s Tuition Promise Full in-state tuition & fees WI residents; Pell-eligible or household income <$65K No Yes (4 years)
Chancellor’s Scholarship (WI only) Up to full tuition WI residents with top 10% GPA and strong financial need (competitive) No Yes
Nonresident Scholarship (varies) $1,000–$10,000/year Out-of-state students with ACT 30+ or SAT 1350+, and 3.8+ GPA (no separate app) Yes Yes

❓ Automatic Scholarship FAQs

Do I need to submit a separate application for automatic scholarships?
No—if your kid applies for admission by the deadline (usually early November), they’re automatically considered for most merit awards, including the Nonresident Scholarship and Bucky’s Tuition Promise. No extra forms required.
Does UW–Madison award scholarships based on class rank?
Not directly. While they don’t require class rank, a top 10% GPA or transcript full of rigorous courses can help—especially when combined with strong ACT or SAT scores.
How competitive are the automatic merit scholarships?
For in-state students, programs like Bucky’s Promise are more predictable (based on income). But for out-of-state kids, the Nonresident Scholarship is competitive—students with ACT 30+ and 3.8+ GPAs are more likely to qualify, but it’s not guaranteed.
Can you stack multiple automatic scholarships together?
It depends. Some scholarships (like the Nonresident Award) can be stacked with departmental or private scholarships. But need-based programs like Bucky’s Promise may reduce your eligibility for other aid. Watch out for fine print in award letters.

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

These scholarships are competitive and often require more than just strong academics. Some are by invitation only, while others have priority deadlines (like November 1) or require separate applications. Make sure your kid applies early to be considered.
Scholarship Amount Eligibility Separate App? Renewable? Who Wins?
Mercile J. Lee Scholars Program Full tuition + stipend High-achieving WI students from historically underrepresented backgrounds No (invited after applying) Yes (4 years) Top WI students with leadership, community involvement, and need
Chancellor’s Scholarship Program (for WI students) Full or partial tuition WI residents with strong academics and financial need No (invited after applying) Yes Top 10% WI applicants with FAFSA + early application
Wisconsin Alumni Association Scholarships $1,000–$10,000 Various criteria by chapter—merit, need, geography, or major Yes Varies Students with community ties or alumni connection
Powers-Knapp Scholars Program Full tuition + book stipend Top STEM students (esp. WI residents) from underrepresented backgrounds No (invited to apply after admission) Yes (4 years) High GPA + strong STEM test scores + pursuing science or engineering

❓ Competitive Scholarship FAQs

Do I have to apply separately for UW–Madison’s competitive scholarships?
Some yes, some no. The Mercile J. Lee and Powers-Knapp programs don’t require a separate application—you’ll be invited to continue if your kid’s academic record stands out after admission. Others, like the Wisconsin Alumni Association Scholarships, do require a separate form or essay.
How do I increase my kid’s chances of getting one?
Apply early (by November 1), submit the FAFSA, and highlight leadership or community involvement. Most of these scholarships aren’t just about GPA—they’re looking for students who lead, give back, and stand out beyond test scores.
What does “invited to apply after admission” really mean?
It means the school will review your kid’s application and, if they fit the profile, send a follow-up invite to apply or submit additional materials. Your student can’t request it—it’s based on their initial application strength and major.
Can out-of-state students win these scholarships?
Yes, but most are geared toward Wisconsin residents. That said, some scholarships (like alumni awards) are open to out-of-state students—especially those with strong academic records or family connections to UW.
What does “underrepresented” actually mean for scholarships at UW?
UW–Madison typically uses “underrepresented” to refer to students from historically excluded racial/ethnic groups, first-generation college students, and students from rural or low-income communities—especially within Wisconsin. It’s not always defined clearly, but if your kid fits into more than one of those buckets, they may be more likely to be invited.
Is there any way to boost our chances if we’re middle income and don’t qualify for need-based aid?
Yes—focus on early application (by Nov 1), a strong essay, and standout extracurriculars. While many competitive scholarships prioritize need, others (like alumni-funded awards) care more about impact, leadership, or major fit. And applying early gives your kid the best odds of being seen before spots fill up.
If we don’t hear anything about scholarships, should we follow up?
For most UW scholarships, no news means your kid wasn’t selected. If it’s an invited scholarship like Mercile J. Lee, you’ll be contacted if they’re interested. If it’s a separate application (like alumni awards), check the deadlines and decision timeline on the scholarship’s site.

🎓 Honors College at UW–Madison

UW–Madison doesn’t have a separate honors college. Instead, the College of Letters & Science (L&S)—which houses the most majors—offers a competitive Honors Program for high-achieving students in fields like biology, political science, psychology, and journalism.

Admission is by invitation only after your kid is admitted to UW. Most invites go to students with a 3.9+ GPA, top 5–10% class rank, and strong ACT/SAT scores (if submitted). They’re also looking for kids who took rigorous classes and showed genuine academic curiosity—especially in writing-heavy or research-based coursework.

🎓 Honors Benefits at UW–Madison:
  • Priority course registration
  • Access to smaller, discussion-based honors sections
  • Undergraduate research & faculty mentorship
  • Dedicated honors advising
  • Stronger prep for grad school or competitive fellowships
💡 Strategy Tip: While the L&S Honors Program doesn’t come with automatic scholarships, it puts your kid in the room for future money. Honors students get earlier access to research, mentorship, and department-level scholarships—plus extra advising for big-name awards like Goldwater and Truman. If your kid is aiming for med school, grad school, or research-heavy fields, this program is a serious leg up.
Is the UW Honors College a separate application?
No, not for incoming freshmen. The L&S Honors Program is by invitation only after your kid is admitted. If they’re invited, they’ll get an email with next steps. Some departments may allow later applications once they’re on campus.
What kind of student gets invited?
Most invited students have a 3.9+ GPA, top 5–10% class rank, and have taken challenging courses. Submitting test scores helps too—especially if they’re in the ACT 32–36 or SAT 1400–1550 range. But they also look for students who show intellectual curiosity, especially in writing-heavy classes.
Does being in Honors come with a scholarship?
Not directly. But Honors students have early access to research, department-level awards, and national scholarship advising. Programs like the Hilldale Research Fellowship or Goldwater Scholarship are more accessible once your kid is in the Honors track.
Is the program worth it?
For academically driven kids—especially those interested in grad school, research, or competitive fellowships—yes. The priority registration, smaller classes, and mentorship opportunities give your kid a big advantage.
Can my kid apply if they aren’t invited?
Yes—but only after they’re admitted. If your kid isn’t invited as a freshman, they may still be able to apply during their first year on campus. Some majors also have department-specific honors tracks they can pursue.
Is it harder to keep your GPA up in the Honors Program?
Honors classes can be more demanding, but they’re also smaller and more engaging. Many students say they actually perform better because they get more attention, mentorship, and freedom to explore topics they care about.
What majors qualify for the L&S Honors Program?
The program is only for majors in the College of Letters & Science, which includes popular fields like biology, psychology, political science, English, economics, and journalism. Engineering, business, and nursing majors are not eligible.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships at UW–Madison

UW–Madison offers a few scholarships that fly under the radar—especially for students in specific activities, backgrounds, or majors. These won’t usually show up on big award lists, but they’re worth knowing about if your kid qualifies.

Scholarship Name Eligibility Amount How to Apply Notes
Marching Band & Spirit Squad Awards Students who participate in band, cheer, or dance teams Varies ($500–$1,500/yr) Audition or Tryout Awarded by team or music director; some renewable
Badger Ready Grant Returning adult students, age 25+ or military/veteran status Up to full tuition Apply to Badger Ready Targets nontraditional students finishing a degree
Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship High-achieving in-state transfers from Wisconsin colleges $2,000–$5,000 Automatic No separate application needed upon transfer admission
Creative Arts Awards (Art Department) Students majoring in studio art or related fields Varies ($500–$2,000) Department Portfolio Awarded through Art Department faculty selection
📌 Strategy Tip: These numbers are ballpark—some change year to year, and department-level aid can fluctuate. But if your kid’s involved in band, transferring, or has a strong creative portfolio, it’s worth digging into these options directly with departments.

💬 FAQs: Hidden Gem Scholarships at UW–Madison

Do I need to apply separately for these scholarships?
Most of these awards are not automatic—your son or daughter will usually need to audition, submit a portfolio, or be part of a specific program. The Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship is the main exception, which is awarded automatically to qualifying students transferring from Wisconsin colleges.
Are these renewable, or just one-time awards?
It depends on the scholarship. Some (like marching band awards) can be renewed each year with continued participation. Others, like portfolio-based awards, may be one-time or reassessed annually by the department. Always ask the awarding office if it’s renewable.
How can my kid find out about these department-level awards?
Your best bet is to visit the department website (like Music or Art) and check their scholarship page—or email the department advisor directly. These smaller scholarships often don’t show up on the main financial aid website, but they’re real and worth pursuing.
Are these awards stackable with other merit aid?
In most cases, yes—especially if the awards are coming from different sources (e.g., a band award plus a merit scholarship). However, always confirm with the financial aid office since some awards could adjust your aid package if it exceeds total cost of attendance.
How do I even know if my kid qualifies for these smaller scholarships?
It’s not always obvious—many of these are tucked away on departmental websites. If your kid is in band, art, or coming back to school as an adult, it’s worth emailing the department and asking if there are any scholarships they should apply for. You don’t need to have it all figured out—just ask.
Is it weird for a student to reach out to a department directly?
Not at all. In fact, it shows initiative. Departments love when students ask about opportunities—it tells them the kid is serious, engaged, and motivated. That email could be the thing that gets your kid noticed for an award they wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Can these smaller scholarships really make a difference?
Yes. Even $1,000 here or there can help cover books, fees, or reduce how much your kid needs to borrow. Stack enough of them, and suddenly their overall cost drops. These aren’t flashy, but they add up.
📄 Want to compare your kid’s scholarship offers side-by-side?
Use our free College Offer Comparison Sheet to make a smart, confident decision.

The sticker price at UW–Madison can feel intimidating—but with the right strategy, many families pay far less. Keep asking questions, keep stacking aid, and don’t assume you’re out of the running just because you’re not from Wisconsin. You’ve got this.

🎒 Just getting started? Download the College Ready Parent Starter Kit — everything you need to plan smarter, keep costs down, and stay ahead of deadlines.
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