Wisconsin is famous for its unique geology, its farmlands, and, of course, its cheese. Wisconsin is home to several renowned colleges including UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee and Lawrence University. Whether you are an in-state resident or considering colleges in Wisconsin as an out-of-state student, you can apply to Wisconsin scholarships!

Jump ahead to:

• Top Wisconsin Scholarships
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Summary of Wisconsin Scholarships

Whatever college you choose involves tuition, so don’t have a cow when you see your student loan bills – save some cheddar by applying to some of the top Wisconsin scholarships!

Top Wisconsin Scholarships in 2021

Check out this list of the top Wisconsin scholarships available now!

Zonta Club of Madison Women in Public Affairs Scholarship

• Eligibility: Women residing in Madison ages 16-19 who have demonstrated “superior leadership skills and a commitment to public service and civic causes.” History of volunteerism, local or student government, and knowledge of Zonta programs are all pluses
• Amount: $500 and entry into additional contests for $1,500 and $4,000 prizes
• Deadline: February 6, 2021

Ruth DeYoung Kohler Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors or homeschooled students in the Sheboygan County area who plan to pursue a career in the arts
• Amount: Up to $100,000 at select institutions, or up to $50,000
• Deadline: March 1, 2021

Appleton Education Foundation General Scholarship Application

• Eligibility: Wide variety of scholarships available for Appleton residents– applicants are considered for 15 scholarships by filling out one application
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: March 14, 2021

Zonta Club of Milwaukee Women in Public Affairs Scholarship

• Eligibility: Women residing in Milwaukee ages 16-19 who have demonstrated “superior leadership skills and a commitment to public service and civic causes.” History of volunteerism, local or student government, and knowledge of Zonta programs are all pluses
• Amount: $1,000 and entry into additional contests for $1,500 and $4,000 prizes
• Deadline: March 15, 2021

Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region Scholarships

• Eligibility: Wide variety of scholarships available for residents of the Fox Valley region. 
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Varies, mostly between March and April

Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation Scholarship

• Eligibility: Wisconsin residents pursuing a post-secondary degree in a field related to the restaurant or hospitality industry
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: April 2, 2021

Wisconsin Public Service Foundation Technical College Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors with a primary residence within the WPS service area who planning to attend Fox Valley, Lakeshore, Northcentral, Nicolet, Mid-State, or Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, full-time
• Amount: $750
• Deadline: Opens March 1, closes April 30

Zonta Club of Madison Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship

• Eligibility: Women residing in Madison of any age who are pursuing a business program in accounting, economics, finance, business management, marketing, operations management, human resources management, international business, or entrepreneurship at an accredited university/college/institute
• Amount: $2,000
• Deadline: June 25, 2021

Wisconsin Indian Student Assistance Grant

• Eligibility: Wisconsin residents who are attending a post-secondary institution in Wisconsin, demonstrate financial need, and have at least one-quarter Native American blood, or be a member of a federally recognized tribe
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Rolling

Minority Undergraduate Retention Grant

• Eligibility: Wisconsin minority undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time at independent, tribal, or Wisconsin Technical College institutions. Apply via FAFSA
• Amount: Up to $2,500 per year
• Deadline: Rolling

Wisconsin Grant

• Eligibility: Undergraduate Wisconsin residents enrolled at least half-time at University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Technical College, or Tribal institutions. Award based on financial need and can be renewed for up to 10 semesters. Apply via FAFSA
• Amount: $250 to $3,150
• Deadline: Rolling

Talent Incentive Program Scholarships

• Eligibility: Wisconsin resident attending colleges or universities in Wisconsin with demonstrated financial need. First-time freshmen students must be nominated by school financial aid offices or by counselors of the Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Programs. Apply via FAFSA
• Amount: $600 to $1,800 for first award, and $250 to $1,800 for additional awards
• Deadline: Rolling

Wisconsin-Minnesota Reciprocity Agreement

• Eligibility: This falls somewhere between a scholarship and a program, but is nonetheless very useful for Wisconsin (or Minnesota) students! The agreement allows Wisconsin residents to attend Minnesota public institutions for in-state tuition prices, and vice-versa. So, if you live in Wisconsin and hope to attend a public institution in Minnesota, or if you live in Minnesota and hope to attend a public institution in Wisconsin, you are in luck. Just make sure to fill out the application form for this program before the deadline
• Amount: In-state tuition discount
• Deadline: The last day of classes at the institution attended for the term benefits are requested

Wisconsin Hearing/Visually Impaired Student Grant

• Eligibility: Undergraduate Wisconsin residents with a severe or profound hearing or visual impairment and demonstrated financial need, enrolled at least half-time at an in-state or eligible out-of-state public or independent higher education institution.
• Amount: Up to $1,800 per year
• Deadline: Varies

Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Scholarship

• Eligibility: Wisconsin high school juniors or seniors, or students attending a Wisconsin post-secondary institution, who are pursuing media careers that include audio, visual and digital/social media platforms
• Amount: $1,000 to $2,000
• Deadline: Not open yet for 2021; expected to be early November

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Wisconsin give scholarships?

The state of Wisconsin offers many scholarships and grants for Wisconsin residents, whether they are attending an in-state institution or an out-of-state institution. You can find a list of them here.

How much does it cost to go to UW Madison for four years?

UW-Madison’s estimated total in-state cost in the 2021-2022 year is $27,530 and its estimated total out-of-state cost is $55,888. Assuming that these costs stay the same (though they will likely rise slightly each year) it would cost about $110,000 to go to UW Madison for 4 years on in-state tuition, and about $223,000 on out-of-state tuition. These are whopping figures — all the more reason to pursue some hefty scholarships!

How do I know if a scholarship is legitimate?

Some typical warning signs of an illegitimate scholarship are application fees, outdated websites, and requests for irrelevant personal information. It’s very important to determine if a scholarship is legitimate before applying for it, as an illegitimate scholarship could waste your time, and potentially steal your information and/or money.

Summary of Wisconsin Scholarships

1. Zonta Club of Madison Women in Public Affairs Scholarship
2. Ruth DeYoung Kohler Scholarship
3. Appleton Education Foundation General Scholarship Application
4. Zonta Club of Milwaukee Women in Public Affairs Scholarship
5. Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region Scholarships
6. Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation Scholarship
7. Wisconsin Public Service Foundation Technical College Scholarship
8. Zonta Club of Madison Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship
9. Wisconsin Indian Student Assistance Grant
10. Minority Undergraduate Retention Grant
11. Wisconsin Grant
12. Talent Incentive Program Scholarships
13. Wisconsin-Minnesota Reciprocity Agreement
14. Wisconsin Hearing/Visually Impaired Student Grant
15. Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Scholarship