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At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the undergraduate experience is enriched by the study of Shakespeare, but also by the diverse mix of students who come from large metropolitan areas, suburbs and the central city, as well as rural communities.

At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the undergraduate experience is enriched by the study of Shakespeare, but also by the diverse mix of students who come from large metropolitan areas, suburbs and the central city, as well as rural communities.

How Does the Great People Scholarship Work?

The Office of Student Financial Aid prepares an individualized aid package for each student who qualifies for financial aid. When there is an unmet need gap between all available aid sources, including work-study, the student is eligible to receive a Great People Scholarship — a scholarship made possible by your investment in the future excellence of UW-Madison.

  • About 56 percent of all full-time students receive financial aid. This number has been rising since 1999.
  • Currently, 79 percent of all scholarship grants are awarded to students from Wisconsin in a combination of loans, work-study programs and grants.
  • The cost of attending UW-Madison is now $8,300 per year -- $23,300 including room and board.
  • UW-Madison has less financial aid available to support students than any other Big Ten university.

Undergraduate students at UW-Madison are eligible for about $15 to $20 million more in financial support each year than is currently available to them through state, federal and institutional aid. The gap between the amount UW-Madison students have available to them (with all available funding packages) and the cost of tuition, housing and supplies has increased nearly 28 percent between 2000 and 2005. Talented students may be accepted by UW-Madison, but the unmet need gap means their educational dreams may still be out of reach.

Alumni and friends of the University understand that investing in the future workforce through the Great People Scholarship is one of the surest means of realizing a better future for us all. Welcoming the opinions and experiences of students from large metropolitan areas, rural communities, the central city and suburbs will help prepare all of our students to live and lead in the real world.

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