Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise Program for J.D. and M.D. Students

• Besides submitting the FAFSA®, Native Nations students will need to submit official documentation from a Tribal Enrollment Department to certify they are a member of one of the 11 federally recognized Wisconsin American Indian tribes to the Office of Student Financial Aid. Each Wisconsin American Indian Tribe has their own formal process to enroll members.
• Beginning on February 1st, 2024, students can submit official documentation via the ‘WI Tribal Educational Promise‘ eForm in their Student Center. Once in the Student Center, students should select the Student eForms tile and then click on the Financial Aid folder. 

Yes. All Native Nations students eligible for the Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise Program for Law & Medical Students are required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and are required to do so on an annual basis. 

• Native Nations students should complete their FAFSA® each year and as soon as possible after it becomes available. UW-Madison will not have a priority deadline due to the delayed release of the 2024-25 FAFSA®, but we expect it will return in future years. 
• The Office of Student Financial Aid will be holding their FAFSA® Frenzy throughout the spring semester to assist students with completing the new FAFSA®. 

Only Wisconsin residents who are verified as an enrolled member of any one of the eleven federal recognized American Indian tribes in Wisconsin are eligible. If a Native Nations student’s residency status changes from Wisconsin resident to nonresident, they would no longer be eligible.  

Similarly, if a Native Nations student’s residency status changes from a nonresident to Wisconsin resident and they are verified as an enrolled member to a federally recognized American Indian tribe in Wisconsin, then they would be eligible.  

Residence for Tuition Purposes is determined by the Registrar’s Office. Learn More>>

Yes, however the Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise Program is intended to support six semesters (three years) to complete the Law (J.D.) program. If completion of the requirements for both degrees will take more than that length of time, only the first consecutive six semesters (three years) of study will be covered.

Yes, however the Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise Program is intended to support eight semesters (4 years) to complete the Medical (M.D.) program. If completion of the requirements for both degrees will take more than that length of time, only the first consecutive eight semesters (4 years) of study will be covered.

To be considered a Wisconsin resident, Native Nations students must be bona fide residents of Wisconsin for a full calendar year prior to their enrollment at UW-Madison. Residence status for tuition purposes is reviewed and determined by the Office of the Registrar. Students can review their residence status (if it has been determined) through their My UW Student Center under Profile. In most cases, students living in a different state are not eligible to be considered Wisconsin residents for tuition purposes and therefore are not eligible for the Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise. The residency team within the Office of the Registrar can answer any other residency questions: ResidenceForTuition@registrar.wisc.edu.

This program covers the full cost of in-state tuition and fees for eligible Native Nations students for six consecutive semesters (three years) for students pursuing a law degree (J.D.) or for eight consecutive semesters (four years) for students pursuing a medical degree (M.D.). 

Official tuition rates can be found on the Bursar’s Office website.

Native Nations students must stay enrolled and in good standing to be eligible for Program support. Full-time enrollment is generally required to meet these requirements in the J.D. and M.D. programs. If a Native Nations student is permitted to attend part-time and is enrolled in at least six credits, they can receive Program support while enrolled part-time, but should be aware that the part-time semester will be counted toward the Program limit. 

Supports include the Indigenous Student Center — home to several Indigenous student organizations, including Wunk Sheek — as well as Academic Coaching to Thrive and Succeed, which provides tutoring and academic support for Indigenous students through the Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement. 

If a Native Nations student reaches the semester limit of the Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise Program for JD/MD pilot prior to earning their degree, they may receive federal, state, and institutional financial aid based on their financial need to complete their studies.