Scholarships and Funding
The Basics
In-State Tuition and Reciprocity
At public (UW-system) and technical colleges, in-state students have a lower tuition rate than out-of-state residents. However, many UW colleges have agreements with other states to charge tuition lower than typical out-of-state tuition. Reciprocity with Minnesota is the most well-known program, but others exist too.
Here are more specifics about who qualifies as an in-state student; here is a FAQ list
DACA/Undocumented Students
While UW student groups are fighting to change this, “Undocumented students, including DACA students, are not eligible for in-state tuition under Wisconsin Statutes.”
However, DACA status is not considered in the admission process
“Generally, DACA students are not eligible for federal, state, or institutional need-based financial aid due to eligibility criteria that requires either U.S. citizenship or other eligible noncitizen status and/or the submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). DACA students are not eligible to complete the FAFSA due to these federal regulations.”
Private Universities
At private universities (e.g. Lawrence University), there is not a difference between what in-state and out-of-state students pay. The tuition is often higher than public colleges, but there are often funding opportunities that can significantly reduce costs.
Students with Refugee Status
The 12-month-in-Wisconsin requirement (for in-state tuition) can be waived for refugee students if you meet all the following requirements.
Moved to Wisconsin right away when you arrived in the US
You have been in Wisconsin the whole time since arriving
You have an intent to permanently stay in Wisconsin
Grants v.s. Scholarships v.s. Loans
Grants
Gift aid (does not need to be repaid); based on financial need
Grant Info from UW (more extensive list)
Pell — “Offered to undergraduate students with significant financial need. Eligibility and annual amounts are determined by Congress and can change from year to year.”
Federal TEACH Grant — “Offered to teacher education students who are formally admitted to a “high-need” teacher education program and who meet specific academic requirements.”
Scholarships
Gift aid (does not need to be repaid); your academic/athletic/service/etc. backgrounds are some factors that may be considered; see below for more specific opportunities
Merit — Financial background is NOT considered when deciding who wins
Need-Based —Financial background IS considered when deciding who wins
Loans
Need to be paid back if no forgiveness plan
Learn More (from UW); Also Here
Learn More (from federal government; good pros and cons)
Direct Subsidized — Only for undergraduates, need to demonstrate financial need, government pays interest
Direct Unsubsidized — Available to undergraduates, graduates, and professional students; do NOT need to demonstrate financial need, you pay interest
Direct PLUS — Available to graduate and professional students directly or the parents/guardians of undergraduate students. NOT based on financial need. Less desirable.
Non-Institution-Specific Scholarships and Programs
Included below are a few opportunities that are relevant to individuals going into education. Eligibility/offerings may change year-to-year and not everyone may be eligible for each. If you know of any opportunities not included below, feel free to fill out the contact form so it can be added!
For high schoolers, be sure to check with guidance counselors about scholarship opportunities available to students. Often there will be local scholarships only open to students graduating from your school. Not many people apply to these, which means you have a good chance of winning!
Additionally, consider checking to see if the places your parents/guardians work offer any scholarships for children of employees.
Work Study
“Work-study is not a grant or a loan but a need-based, part-time employment program in which the government and the employer share the payroll cost of employing you.”
Offered by most Wisconsin colleges (public, technical, and private), but UW-Madison provides a good overview.
Menominee Tribal Scholarship
$1,000
“The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin will be awarding four (4) $1,000 scholarships for the 2020 – 2021 school year. Scholarships will be made payable to the college/university in the amount of $500/semester.
One $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a Menominee student in each the following categories:
1. 2021 Graduating high school senior
2. Vocational/Technical/Tribal College student
3. Undergraduate student attending a 4-year college/university
4. Graduate student”
Teacher Loan Program
$30,000
“The Teacher Loan Program provides loans to Wisconsin resident, undergraduate sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are enrolled at least half-time at a University of Wisconsin System institution or a non-profit, independent college or university in the state of Wisconsin. Students must be enrolled in programs leading to teacher licensure in a discipline identified as a teacher shortage area for the state of Wisconsin by the United States Department of Education and have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher based on a 4.0 scale. The maximum award per year is $10,000 with an overall maximum of $30,000.”
To clarify: While this is listed as and functions as a loan, if you meet the criteria and fulfill your requirements, you will not have to pay back the $30,000. You can think of it almost like a scholarship with stipulations.
Click Here to View Specific Requirements
(who qualifies and how the loan is structured)
Wisconsin T.E.A.C.H. Grant
Varies
This program is designed to financially support those pursuing careers in Early Childhood Education. There are lots of types of funding available, so click below to learn more!
Wisconsin Indian Education Association Scholarship
$1,000
“This scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship, not based on financial need.
The scholarship is open to the following:
2021 Graduating high school seniors
One (1) to two (2) year program students
Four-year college students (second semester freshman, sophomore, junior or senior)
Graduate or Ph.D. student
These are merit-based scholarships requiring the students to write an essay and be above average academically.”
Minority Teacher Loan
$30,000
“The Minority Teacher Loan Program provides loans to Wisconsin resident, minority, undergraduate sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are enrolled at least half-time at a University of Wisconsin System institution or a non-profit, independent college or university in the state of Wisconsin. Students must be enrolled in programs leading to teacher licensure in a discipline identified as a teacher shortage area for the state of Wisconsin by the United States Department of Education and have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher based on a 4.0 scale. The maximum award per year is $10,000 with an overall maximum of $30,000.”
To clarify: While this is listed as and functions as a loan, if you meet the criteria and fulfill your requirements, you will not have to pay back the $30,000. You can think of it almost like a scholarship with stipulations.
Click Here to View Specific Requirements
(who qualifies and how the loan is structured)
Wisconsin Improvement Program Teaching Internships
Minimum $4,500 per semester
“WIP interns are preservice teachers enrolled in one of Wisconsin’s educator preparation programs who complete an internship in lieu of student teaching.”
*Not clear if there is a concrete list of all schools that offer this program or if it fluctuates.
FLAS Fellowship
Varies, but at least several thousand dollars
Offered at UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee, “FLAS fellowships are funded by the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the UW's National Resource Centers to assist students in acquiring foreign language and either area or international studies competencies. FLAS awards are only available for specific languages [i.e. not Spanish], and are contingent on federal funding.”
Academic Excellence Scholarships
$2,250 per year
“Academic Excellence Scholarships (AES) are awarded to Wisconsin high school seniors who have the highest grade point average in each public and private high school throughout the State of Wisconsin. In order to receive a scholarship, a student must be enrolled on a full-time basis by September 30th of the academic year following the academic year in which he or she was designated as a scholar, at a participating University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Technical College, or independent institution in the state.”
Teacher Of The Visually Impaired Loan
$40,000
“The Teacher of the Visually Impaired Loan Program provides loans to Wisconsin resident undergraduates or graduate students who are enrolled at least half-time at an in-state or eligible out-of-state institution in a program that prepares them to be licensed as teachers of the visually impaired or as orientation and mobility instructors. The maximum award per year is $10,000 with an overall maximum of $40,000.”
To clarify: While this is listed as and functions as a loan, if you meet the criteria and fulfill your requirements, you will not have to pay back the $40,000. You can think of it almost like a scholarship with stipulations.
Click Here to View Specific Requirements
(who qualifies and how the loan is structured)
Wisconsin Grant for Study Abroad
Unspecified, most likely several hundred - couple thousand
This opportunity appears to be listed at both UW-Whitewater and UW-Milwaukee. Unclear if it is a general program statewide that they are sharing within their own portal or if it is a grant specific to particular schools.
Institution-Specific Scholarships and Programs
This is not an exhaustive list for each institution. A general focus was on scholarships and programs that involve teaching, language, and backgrounds historically underrepresented in higher education. Use the search bar to search for keywords, schools, or specific scholarships. There are so many opportunities available, and I hope this resource can help make the cost of tertiary education easier to manage! [Note: click “older posts” on the bottom right to view the pages for the remaining colleges.]
