Types of Aid

By completing the FAFSA, you will be considered for various types of financial aid from several sources.

Wisconsin Commitments

Bucky's Tuition Promise

A commitment to WI resident students; it guarantees a period of free tuition & segregated fees to incoming first-year and transfer students in an on-campus program, whose family's household adjusted gross income is $65,000 or less.

Bucky's Pell Pathway

An expansion of our commitment to WI resident students; it guarantees to meet the full financial need for all Federal Pell Grant-eligible first-year and new transfer students in an on-campus program.

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Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise

A commitment to WI residents who are enrolled members of federally recognized WI American Indian tribes that funds full cost of attendance (Undergrads enrolled in an on-campus program) or in-state tuition (J.D. & M.D.)

Badger Promise

A commitment to WI resident, first-generation college students; it guarantees a period of free tuition & segregated fees to those who have successfully transferred from any of the two-year UW Colleges or select liberal arts associate degree programs.

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Designed to assist Nonresident Badgers from low-income households and in an on-campus program pay for college through a combination of grants, scholarships, work-study, and some loan.

Scholarships & Grants

Scholarships

Students must apply online for UW-Madison scholarships through the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH). Scholarships can also come from outside and private sources.

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Grants

Available from both the Federal and State governments as well as UW-Madison for undergraduate students working towards a first bachelor's degree. General eligibility is based on your financial need. Grants do not need to be repaid.

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Employment Options

Federal Work-Study

A federal student aid program that provides part-time employment while you are enrolled in school to help pay your education expenses.

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Student Jobs

Even if you are not offered Federal Work Study, UW-Madison and the surrounding community are full of opportunities for students to work. Our Student Jobs website is updated daily with new opportunities, both on and off campus.

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Loans

Federal Direct Loans

A federal student loan, made through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, for which eligible students and parents borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education at participating schools, like UW-Madison.

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Institutional Loans

A variety of loans offered by and repaid to UW-Madison.

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Private Loans

Non-federal, private educational loans are offered by a lender such as a bank or credit union.

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