When it comes to paying for college, many Wisconsin students wonder how they will manage the cost. If you are a resident of the Badger State, there are plenty of scholarships and grants available to help make your educational journey more affordable.
Famous for its cheese, the Green Bay Packers, and the stunning Great Lakes, Wisconsin is also home to world-class schools including the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison), Marquette University, and the Medical College of Wisconsin. With its commitment to education through the “Wisconsin Idea” the state believes education should influence people's lives beyond the boundaries of the classroom.
Nearly 280,000 students are enrolled in over 85 Wisconsin colleges and universities as of 2024. If you are considering going to college in Wisconsin, these scholarships can help reduce your expenses.
Check out our list of 2,224 Wisconsin Scholarships for College worth $10M.
$400
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
Students who are 25 or older and currently enrolled in select majors at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire are eligible for this award.
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$500
Award Amount
5
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
U.S. returning female students who demonstrate financial need and attend the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire are eligible for this award.
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$750
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
Mature U.S. students who are returning to the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire are eligible for this award. Students must not have graduated.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. college sophomores and juniors who reside or attend school in Wisconsin and are enrolled in a travel and tourism- or hospitality-related program of study. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Apr 5
Deadline
This scholarship is available for undergraduate students and graduate students in Wisconsin with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, who are legally blind or significantly visually impaired.
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$5,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 1
Deadline
Students who are juniors or seniors in a metallurgy or materials science engineering program and are members of ASM International are eligible for this award. Applicants must be residents of Wisconsin and attending a college or university in Wisconsin.
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$10,000
Award Amount
7
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. students who have been admitted to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's distance education program to pursue a master's degree in engineering, project management, or integrated supply chain management. Students must have majored in a STEM field as undergraduates, have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and demonstrate financial need.
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$500
Award Amount
10
Awards
May 1
Deadline
Returning female students who are 23 years of age or older and enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$10,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Oct 25
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in Wisconsin who have unmet financial need and a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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$27,856
Award Amount
285
Awards
Oct 30
Deadline
This scholarship is for high school seniors who have caddied, successfully and regularly, for two or more years at a Western Golf Association (WGA) member club. Eligible students must also have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and have taken the ACT; students must also attend an eligible college as defined by the Evans Scholars Foundation.
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$100,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students enrolling at Bucknell University. First generation college students, students from outside the university's traditional geographic area, and those who bring cultural and intellectual diversity to the campus will be considered.
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$20,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 22
Deadline
This scholarship is available to Georgia high school seniors with demonstrated financial need who have been accepted for enrollment at selective private or out-of-state institutions (students attending public Georgia institutions ineligible). Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and an SAT score of 1000 or higher or an ACT score of 22 or higher.
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$42,000
Award Amount
14
Awards
Jan 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors and undergraduate students in Northwestern Indiana, Northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa who are planning to major in engineering and pursue a career in iron and steel technology. Applicants must be AIST Midwest Chapter members or dependents of AIST Midwest Chapter members.
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$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 8
Deadline
This award is for U.S. college seniors or graduate students who are enrolled in a full-time course of study in a field related to the television industry. The applicant must attend a school within the ADI (area of dominant influence) of the television stations within the Chicago/Midwest chapter jurisdiction OR be a relative of a member in good standing of the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the Television Academy.
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$1,750
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is open to female college sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and graduate students who are majoring in engineering or computer science and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students must be members of SWE and attend a school within the SWE Region H boundaries.
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$20,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 21
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school juniors and seniors who participate in a mathematical modeling challenge as part of a school-based group.
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$7,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 23
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. students who are Wisconsin residents entering the last year of a 150-hour accounting program (either resulting in a master's degree or double major/minor). Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$1,250
Award Amount
4
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. students majoring in environmental health who are enrolled in an approved college/university that is accredited by the Environmental Health Accreditation Council or is a NEHA Educational or Sustaining Member School. For a current list of accredited environmental health programs, please visit www.ehacoffice.org.
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$20,238
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
High school seniors and transfer students who are not residents of Idaho and are planning to enroll at Lewis-Clark State College for the first time are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and must plan to enroll full time.
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$15,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to re-entry students (i.e., those who have been out of school for two or more years) who plan to major in computer science or software engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
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$15,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
Current UW-Eau Claire sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have a grade point average of 3.3 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must major in computer science or software engineering; preference will be given to graduates of Rice Lake and Viroqua high schools in Wisconsin.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. college juniors and seniors who are 18 years of age or older and are pursing a career in welding engineering. Students must have an overall grade point average of 2.8 or higher with a grade point average of 3.2 or higher in all engineering, scientific and technical subjects. Priority will be given to those individuals residing or attending school in the states of Wisconsin or Kentucky. (A resident is defined as having lived in the specific area for a minimum of one year.)
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$1,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 16
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Wisconsin undergraduate students who have been members of 4-H for a year or more, and have demonstrated a commitment to community service. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
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$3,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 16
Deadline
Wisconsin graduating high school seniors or older who have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must have been active in a 4-H leadership activity for at least one year.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors who have been involved with Becca's Closet are eligible to apply for this award. Students must enroll full time and have an unweighted grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
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Cost of College in Wisconsin
Before exploring the scholarships available to Wisconsin students, it is important to understand the cost of attending college in the state. For Wisconsin residents attending UW-Madison, tuition and fees for the 2024-25 academic year will be approximately $11,606 for undergraduates. Non-residents will pay $42,104, however, if you are from neighboring Minnesota, you will only pay $16,638 in tuition and fees.
Other schools, such as UW-Milwaukee, have in-state tuition of around $10,398 and out-of-state tuition from $14,584 to $22,398. At private schools like Marquette University, tuition and fees are significantly higher, averaging $50,070 annually.
While the cost of attending college may seem steep, there are many Wisconsin scholarships and grants available to help students make education more affordable.
Wisconsin State-Funded Scholarships and Grants
Wisconsin provides various state-funded scholarships and grants to help its residents afford the high cost of college. To be considered for most state financial aid programs, you will need to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA),
Here are some of the state grant and scholarship opportunities available for Wisconsin students:
Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship
The Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship awards $2,250 per year for tuition, to top students from each high school in the state. To qualify, students must be high-achieving seniors, typically ranked in the top 1-2% of their graduating class, and planning to attend an eligible Wisconsin college or university.
Wisconsin Grant
The Wisconsin Grant is a need-based grant available to Wisconsin residents attending one of the state’s public universities or technical colleges. Grant awards vary depending on financial need with a maximum award of $3,150 per academic year.
Wisconsin Grant – Private Non-Profit
This grant is specifically designed for Wisconsin residents attending private, non-profit colleges and universities in Wisconsin. The award amount varies depending on financial need and the cost of attendance at the institution. Award amounts are set annually by the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB)
Talent Incentive Program Grant (TIP)
The Talent Incentive Program (TIP) Grant is designed to support first-time college students who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This need-based grant provides up to $1,800 per year for up to 10 semesters. Eligibility is determined by financial need as documented by a student’s FAFSA. For TIP awards, priority is given to first-generation college students and those with severe financial need.
Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant
If you are a member of the Wisconsin National Guard, you may qualify for a tuition and fee waiver of up to 100% if you plan to attend an eligible Wisconsin public college or university. This benefit is available for students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree,
Federal Grants
In addition to state grants and scholarships, Wisconsin students can apply for federal financial aid programs. These include the Pell Grant, which offers up to $7,395 in 2024-25, and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), which provides an additional $100 to $4,000 annually for qualifying low-income students. Both programs require students to submit the FAFSA and demonstrate financial need.
Institutional Scholarships and Grants at Wisconsin Colleges and Universities
Many Wisconsin institutions also offer grants and scholarships to reduce tuition costs. These scholarships are often awarded based on academic merit, financial need, or a combination of both Institutional grants and scholarships are often awarded on top of state and federal grants and scholarships you may be eligible for. Below are some examples of institutional scholarships available to Wisconsin students:
UW-Madison Chancellor’s Scholarship
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor’s Scholarship is awarded to high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds. The scholarship provides awards up to full tuition and fees for students attending UW-Madison. Eligible students must demonstrate both academic excellence as well as financial need.
Marquette University Merit Scholarships
Marquette University offers scholarships and grants to incoming freshmen who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and leadership skills. Award amounts do vary. To qualify for a merit scholarship at Marquette, students must have an exceptional high school GPA and test scores, along with strong extracurricular involvement.
UW-Milwaukee Chancellor’s Merit Scholarship
The Chancellor’s Merit Scholarship at UW-Milwaukee is awarded to incoming freshmen with a GPA of at least 3.5. The scholarship provides awards up to $5,000 per year and is renewable for up to four years, provided students maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Private Scholarships for Wisconsin Students
Many private organizations inside and out of Wisconsin offer scholarships to help students cover their college costs. These scholarships often target specific groups or fields of study, making it important to research options that fit your background and career interests.
Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association Scholarship
The Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association offers scholarships to students pursuing degrees in dairy science, food science, or related fields. Awards are typically up to $3,000 and are intended for students who plan to contribute to the state’s vital dairy industry.
Wisconsin 4-H Foundation Scholarship
The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation provides scholarships to students who have been active in the 4-H program and plan to attend college in Wisconsin. Scholarships vary in amount and can be used for tuition, room, and board. Applicants must demonstrate leadership, community service, and academic success.
Tips for Applying for Scholarships and Grants in Wisconsin
Securing grants and scholarships does take careful planning and effort. Here are some tips to improve your chances of success in the application process:
- Submit the FAFSA early: Many scholarships are need-based, so it is very important to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible.
- Stay organized: Keep track of deadlines, requirements, and necessary materials for each scholarship and grant program.
- Write strong personal statements: Highlight your achievements, goals, and passion for learning in your application essays.
- Secure solid letters of recommendation: Ask teachers, mentors, or community leaders who know you well to write your letters of recommendation. Make sure and ask them early in the process as they are likely receiving many requests from your peers.
- Search locally: Don’t overlook smaller scholarships offered by local organizations, schools, houses of worship, and community groups in your area.
With these strategies and the scholarships available in Wisconsin, you will be well on your way to making your college dreams more affordable!
Our Scholarships
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$1,500 – I Have a Dream
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$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
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$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
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$2,500 – Superpower
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$3,000 – All About Education
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$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
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$1,500 – Do-Over
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$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
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$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
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$1,500 – Shout It Out
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$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
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$5,000 – Education Matters
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$1,500 – Top Ten List