Of the nearly 5.9 million Wisconsin residents, 320,411 are current college students earning either their undergraduate or graduate degrees. About 88% of the students enrolled in higher education are undergraduates, and the other 12% are graduate students. Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, college students have shifted to more online classes, with 73.7% of undergraduates in Wisconsin enrolled in some form of online course. This change, coupled with financial stress, has made scholarships even more crucial in helping students manage college expenses.
Top 10 Scholarships for Wisconsin Students
- Focus Forward Scholarship: This scholarship supports Wisconsin students who demonstrate a commitment to their education and future goals.
- Carlynn’s Comic Scholarship: A unique scholarship for students with a passion for comics and storytelling.
- “A Courageous Spirit” No-Essay Scholarship: A no-essay scholarship that rewards students for their bravery and determination.
- 100 Bold Points No-Essay Scholarship: Another no-essay scholarship that is easy to apply for and rewards students with financial aid.
- Bold Hope for the Future Scholarship: A scholarship designed to support students who have a clear vision for their future and are working towards it.
- Bold Motivation Scholarship: This scholarship aims to inspire and support students who show exceptional motivation in their academic pursuits.
- Freddie L Brown Sr. Scholarship: Open to high school students with strong academic records and community involvement.
- Lo Easton’s “Wrong Answers Only” Scholarship: A fun, creative scholarship for students of all levels.
- “A Daring Path” No-Essay Scholarship: Easy application process with no essay required.
- #FinancialFreedom No-Essay Scholarship: Helps students reduce their student loan debt with a simple application.
Wisconsin Students and Student Debt
Throughout the entire country, college costs have been increasing, rising by 16.1% since the beginning of the new century when adjusted for inflation. As a result, the current student loan debt is at a national total of $1.75 trillion. To help alleviate the stress of student debt, scholarship programs are created to help students afford higher education.
Wisconsin Student Demographics
In Wisconsin, the gender distribution is weighted similarly to that of the nation. Of the college students in Wisconsin, 57.7% are women, closely resembling the national percentage of 59.5%. Consequently, the percentage of male Wisconsin college students is 42.3%.
When it comes to ethnic diversity, Wisconsin colleges are largely comprised of white students, with 72.8% identifying as white. As for the United States, 54.3% of students are white, making Wisconsin’s percentage 18.5% higher. This means there is a significantly lower percentage of students in Wisconsin who are of racial minorities. 8.2% of college students in Wisconsin identify as Black/African American.
Wisconsin Colleges
The average acceptance rate of Wisconsin colleges is 77.7%. Wisconsin is home to 106 universities, 37 of which are public and the other 69 of which are private institutions. These schools provide options for graduating high school seniors planning to take a more traditional degree path, with up to eight semesters at an eligible college. However, Wisconsin also provides over 500 technical school options through the Wisconsin Technical College System.
Some of the more well-known colleges in Wisconsin include the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Marquette University, Lawrence University, and other University of Wisconsin locations. Whether you are a graduating high school senior planning to attend college for the first time or one of many transfer students preparing to enroll in Wisconsin institutions, take the time to research what schools are best for you.
Cost of Education in Wisconsin
For the 2020-2021 school year, the average cost of tuition for attending college in Wisconsin is $6,571 for in-state students and $20,927 for out-of-state students. Wisconsin is relatively close to the national average tuition costs, but while Wisconsin’s in-state average is less than a hundred dollars lower than the national average, the state’s out-of-state costs are almost $3,000 higher than the national tuition average for out-of-state students.
Student Debt in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has one of the lowest student debt averages in the country, ranking as the 45th state on the list of states with the most debt. The average student loan balance is $30,023 per borrower, which is 18% lower than the national average per student in debt. Wisconsin’s total combined debt is $24.2 billion. While Wisconsin’s average loan debt is lower than the national average, this collective outstanding debt shows that Wisconsin students would still greatly benefit from financial aid.
Additional Scholarships that Students in Wisconsin Should Consider
Every student’s journey is different, so it’s important to focus on finding the opportunities that work best for where you are. The choice of how you pursue scholarships is up to you, so utilize scholarships available for Wisconsin students and those open to a wider range of students.
- Freddie L Brown Sr. Scholarship
- Lo Easton’s “Wrong Answers Only” Scholarship
- “A Daring Path” No-Essay Scholarship
- #FinancialFreedom No-Essay Scholarship
- Focus Forward Scholarship
- Carlynn’s Comic Scholarship
- “A Courageous Spirit” No-Essay Scholarship
- 100 Bold Points No-Essay Scholarship
- Bold Hope for the Future Scholarship
- Bold Motivation Scholarship
Scholarships for High School Students in Wisconsin
Whether you know what you want to do with the rest of your life or are just beginning to explore options after high school, there are opportunities for you to begin saving up for your college education. Take a look at general high school scholarships, or see what possibilities are available for your grade level.
Scholarships for Current College Students in Wisconsin
Scholarships don’t stop after graduating from high school. You don’t need any prior experience applying for scholarships to start now. When looking for scholarships, college students can look on a broader scale, such as for all college students, or on a local scale.
Scholarships in Wisconsin for Education Majors
Teachers have an important job, passing on knowledge to the next generation. To encourage future teachers, there are scholarships that education majors can apply for. College students pursuing a career in teaching can find scholarships that support their futures.
Scholarships in Wisconsin for Minorities
There are scholarships specifically for minority students. These opportunities promote diversity and inclusion. Scholarships are available for a wide range of minority students, including Black students, Hispanic students, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and Native American students.
Scholarships for Women in Wisconsin
Young college-bound women studying in Wisconsin have many scholarship opportunities to empower women pursuing higher education. Female students of all ages and all interests can look into the variety of scholarships available.
Scholarships for Single Moms in Wisconsin
Single mothers should have the same opportunities as any other student. To help single moms balance the dual roles of being a parent and student, some scholarships can assist with the financial burden of earning a college education.
Scholarships in Wisconsin for Nursing Students
Nursing is a crucial field, and the need for nurses was amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many donors want to support nursing students, so there are plenty of scholarships that provide nursing students of all education levels the chance to receive financial aid.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships in Wisconsin
How to apply for scholarships in Wisconsin?
Applying for Wisconsin scholarships is easy through online scholarship platforms. Start by creating your free account. Fill in your profile, noting your educational experience, interests, and involvement to apply to the most scholarships possible.
Are there Wisconsin merit scholarships?
Merit-based scholarships depend on the school you choose to attend. Some Wisconsin schools have more merit-based scholarships than others. Be successful in school and research what is offered at your specific school.
How to maximize scholarship money in Wisconsin?
Look into all your options, including local and national scholarships. Use opportunities on scholarship platforms to find scholarships open year-round. Apply to as many scholarships as possible while focusing on those you are confident about.
Is a scholarship taxable in Wisconsin?
Scholarship money is not taxable because it is sent directly to the winner’s college or university. If you are not enrolled in a college already, the scholarship money will be held in an account until enrollment.
When can I start applying?
It is never too soon to begin looking for scholarships to help pay for college. Once students are 14 years old, they can create an account and begin their scholarship search. Scholarships are open year-round, so keep looking for opportunities.
In conclusion, Wisconsin offers a variety of scholarships to help students manage the high costs of college. By applying to both general and exclusive scholarships, Wisconsin residents can increase their chances of receiving financial aid and reduce their reliance on student loans.