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Starting your academic journey at a world-class institution like the University of Wisconsin System can be a transformative experience, and securing financial support as an international student for the 2026-2027 academic year is a crucial first step. The University of Wisconsin offers various scholarship programs tailored for global learners, aiming to ease the financial burden of pursuing a degree in the U.S. While opportunities vary across UW campuses (such as UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, and UW-Parkside), notable programs include the highly competitive, fully-funded King-Morgridge Scholars Program at UW-Madison, which covers tuition, fees, room, board, airfare, and a stipend for select undergraduates from specific developing regions. Other awards, like the UW-Parkside’s International Scholarships and the UW-Milwaukee’s International Student Scholarship, typically offer partial tuition coverage based on academic merit for undergraduate students.
These scholarships are designed to recognize and support exceptional international talent across all fields of study, though full-funding options are limited. In this blog, we provide a detailed look at the available scholarships, their specific eligibility criteria, application processes, and deadlines to help you successfully secure funding for your studies.
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Types of University of Wisconsin Scholarships
The scholarships offered across the various University of Wisconsin campuses for international students can generally be categorized by their level of study, coverage, and source.
Here are the main types of University of Wisconsin Scholarships available to international students, based on the information from the major campuses (UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, and UW-Parkside):
| Scholarship Type | Primary Coverage & Benefit | Typical Recipient Level | Example Program (UW-Madison) |
| Full-Funding / Comprehensive | Full tuition, fees, room & board, airfare, health insurance, and stipend. | Incoming Undergraduate | King-Morgridge Scholars Program |
| Merit-Based Partial Tuition | A fixed amount ($3,000 – $6,000+) covering a portion of the non-resident tuition fee. | Incoming Undergraduate | UW-Parkside International Scholarships, UW-Milwaukee International Student Scholarship |
| Institutional / General | Varies widely; can be partial, departmental, or academic-achievement based. | All Students (Undergraduate & Graduate) | General Scholarships via Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH) |
| Graduate Fellowships | Stipend, full or partial tuition coverage, and often health benefits (non-service). | Graduate (Master’s & Ph.D.) | Distinguished Graduate Student Fellowships (UW-Milwaukee) |
| Graduate Assistantships | Stipend and tuition remission in exchange for teaching/research work (service-based). | Graduate (Master’s & Ph.D.) | Teaching/Research/Project Assistantships (TA/RA/PA) |
List of University of Wisconsin Scholarships for International Students
The University of Wisconsin System offers a variety of scholarships for international students, primarily focused on the undergraduate level, with significant funding also available for graduate students through assistantships.
Here is a list of the main scholarships offered by the major UW campuses, including their coverage and eligibility requirements:
| Scholarship Name / Funding Type | UW Campus | Coverage & Benefit | Important Eligibility Requirements |
| King-Morgridge Scholars Program | UW-Madison | Full Cost of Attendance (Full tuition, fees, room & board, airfare, health insurance, and stipend) for four years. | Incoming First-Year Undergraduate. Must be a first-generation student from a low-income background. Must be from a developing region (Africa, Caribbean, Latin America, South Asia, or Southeast Asia). Requires Early Action Admission application. |
| UW-Milwaukee International Student Scholarship | UW-Milwaukee | Partial Tuition up to $6,000 USD per academic year (renewable). | Newly admitted Undergraduate (freshman or transfer) in a degree-seeking program. Awarded based on strong academic merit. No separate application required (automatic consideration upon admission). |
| UW-Parkside International Scholarships (Tiered Awards) | UW-Parkside | Partial Tuition ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 USD per year (renewable). | Full-time, degree-seeking Undergraduate (F-1 visa status). Award level is determined by academic achievement (GPA 3.0 or higher). Students fully sponsored by their home government are typically ineligible. |
| Western Union Scholarship | UW-Madison | $1,000 USD (One-time award). | Incoming First-Year Undergraduate. Must be a citizen of an underrepresented country in the UW-Madison international student body. Nominated from the general admissions pool. |
| Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH) Opportunities | UW-Madison (and other UW campuses) | Varies widely (from hundreds to thousands of dollars) based on the specific award. | All students (Undergraduate & Graduate) are eligible for many campus-wide, departmental, and college-specific scholarships. Eligibility depends on the specific award (e.g., major, leadership, academic achievement). Requires completing the general WiSH application. |
| Graduate Assistantships (TA/RA/PA) | UW System (All Campuses) | Stipend (salary) and Tuition Remission (waiver of most or all tuition and fees). Often includes health insurance. | Admitted Graduate students (Master’s or Ph.D.). Awarded by the department based on merit and need for teaching (TA) or research (RA) assistance. Requires a service commitment (work). |
| Departmental/Graduate Fellowships | UW System (All Campuses) | Stipend, full tuition coverage, and benefits (non-service award). | Admitted Graduate students (Master’s or Ph.D.). Highly competitive; awarded to top applicants demonstrating exceptional academic merit and research potential. |
Also Read: Study in USA For Free: A Guide to Study in America for Free
Details of University of Wisconsin Scholarships
Here are the details of the University of Wisconsin scholarship for international students:
King-Morgridge Scholars Program (UW-Madison)
The King-Morgridge Scholars Program at UW-Madison is a highly prestigious, four-year, full-funding opportunity for exceptional incoming undergraduate students dedicated to addressing poverty alleviation in their home countries. This comprehensive scholarship covers the entire cost of attendance, including tuition and fees, on-campus room and board, health insurance, airfare, and a stipend for miscellaneous expenses, which is renewable for four years. Eligibility is strict, requiring applicants to be first-year undergraduate students, first-generation, from a low-income background, and a citizen of a specific developing region such as Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, South Asia, or Southeast Asia; applicants must also apply for Early Action admission to the university.
| Benefits | Full Cost of Attendance (Tuition, fees, room & board, airfare, health insurance, and stipend) for four years. |
| Eligibility | Incoming First-Year Undergraduate; first-generation student from a low-income background; citizen of Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, South/Southeast Asia; commitment to poverty alleviation. |
| Application Process | Complete the separate King-Morgridge Scholars Program application found on the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH). |
| Deadline | November 15 (for the scholarship application, generally aligning with Early Action). |
| Official Link | https://kmsp.wisc.edu/ |
UW-Milwaukee International Student Scholarship
The UW-Milwaukee International Student Scholarship is a renewable, merit-based award designed to reduce the cost of out-of-state tuition for newly admitted international undergraduate students, including both freshmen and transfers. This scholarship provides a partial tuition waiver of up to $6,000 USD per academic year ($3,000 per semester), which is awarded based on a combination of the student’s strong academic record and demonstrated financial need. Importantly, there is no separate application required for this award; all admitted, degree-seeking international undergraduate students are automatically considered for the scholarship upon completing their general application to the university.
| Benefits | Partial Tuition Waiver of up to $6,000 USD per academic year (renewable). |
| Eligibility | Newly admitted Undergraduate (freshman or transfer); strong academic record; demonstrated financial need; enrolled in a full-time degree program. |
| Application Process | Automatic Consideration |
| Deadline | May 1 (for Fall intake admission) and October 1 (for Spring intake admission). |
| Official Link | https://uwm.edu/cie/international-admissions/cost-scholarships/ |
UW-Parkside International Scholarships
The University of Wisconsin-Parkside offers a tiered system of renewable International Scholarships to full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students, providing a partial waiver of the nonresident tuition charge. The amount of the award is directly tied to the student’s incoming academic achievement, with three main tiers: the Achievement Scholarship ($5,000/year for GPA 3.50+), the Rising Scholarship ($4,000/year for GPA 3.25-3.49), and the Talent Scholarship ($3,000/year for GPA 3.0-3.24). Students must possess an F-1 visa and maintain a minimum GPA for renewal, and those who are fully sponsored by their home government are typically not eligible for these awards.
| Benefits | Partial Tuition Waiver ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 USD per year (covers a portion of the out-of-state tuition). |
| Eligibility | Full-time, degree-seeking Undergraduate (F-1 visa); not fully sponsored by home government. Award amount is merit-based: $5,000 (GPA 3.5+), $4,000 (GPA 3.25–3.49), $3,000 (GPA 3.0–3.24). |
| Application Process | Automatic Consideration |
| Deadline | Varies |
| Official Link | https://www.uwp.edu/live/offices/financialaid/international-student-scholarships.cfm |
Graduate Assistantships and Campus-Wide Funding
Beyond campus-specific undergraduate awards, the entire UW System offers significant funding for international graduate students primarily through Graduate Assistantships (Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants, or Program Assistants). These are service-based positions that typically include a monthly stipend (salary) along with a substantial or full tuition remission (waiver) and health insurance benefits. Furthermore, all UW campuses utilize a centralized application platform, such as the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH) at UW-Madison, which allows both undergraduate and graduate international students to be considered for thousands of smaller, departmental, and donor-funded scholarships based on academic merit, major, or specific criteria.
| Benefits | Varies widely (from $500 to over $5,000) for general, departmental, and specific purpose scholarships. |
| Eligibility | All incoming and continuing students (Undergraduate & Graduate) are eligible for various awards based on major, college, leadership, or academic standing. |
| Application Process | Students must log into the WiSH portal using their campus ID and complete the General Application. |
| Deadline | Scholarship application window is typically October to February |
| Official Link | https://wisc.academicworks.com/ |
Also Read: Cheap Universities in USA
Tips for a Successful University of Wisconsin Scholarship Application
Applying for scholarships at a competitive institution like the University of Wisconsin System requires a strategic and detail-oriented approach, especially for international students.
Here are the top tips for a successful UW System scholarship application:
- Immediately activate your NetID and fully complete the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH) General Application upon admission.
- For UW-Madison, meet the Early Action admission deadline to be considered for top merit awards like the King-Morgridge Scholars Program.
- Focus on awards specifically for merit (GPA/test scores) or demonstrated financial need, as federal aid isn’t available.
- For graduate school, directly contact your academic department about Teaching/Research Assistantships (TAs/RAs) for tuition remission and stipends.
- Maintain an exceptionally high GPA/academic record (e.g., 3.5+ for top UW-Parkside awards) for automatic merit consideration.
- In essays (especially King-Morgridge), clearly link your intended degree to a tangible plan for impact or change in your home region.
- Use numbers and specific details (e.g., “raised $2,000,” “led a team of 15”) to describe your leadership and community involvement.
- Ask recommenders who know you well to provide specific, detailed examples of your character, drive, and potential.
- For need-based aid, complete all financial forms honestly and clearly articulate your specific financial hardship.
- Don’t limit yourself to the main scholarships; search for smaller, campus-specific opportunities at places like UW-Milwaukee and UW-Superior.
Why Study at the University of Wisconsin?
Studying at the University of Wisconsin (UW) System, especially at its flagship campus, UW-Madison, offers a world-class combination of academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and a vibrant college-town experience.
Here are the important reasons why students choose the UW System:
- “Public Ivy” Status: UW-Madison is globally recognized as one of the top public universities in the U.S.
- Top-Tier Research: It holds R1 status, investing over $1 billion annually in research with extensive student opportunities.
- The Wisconsin Idea: Commitment to using knowledge to solve global problems and improve lives beyond campus.
- Exceptional Faculty: Learn from Nobel Laureates and leading researchers in their respective fields.
- High Employability: Graduates are highly sought after, leading to strong career outcomes and networking.
- Program Breadth: Access to 136+ undergraduate majors and a wide range of graduate specializations.
- Vibrant College Town: Located in Madison, frequently ranked as one of America’s best, safest, and most beautiful college cities.
- Diverse Community: Large, welcoming campus with students from over 120 countries and nearly 1,000 student organizations.
- Big Ten Spirit: Experience the culture and excitement of NCAA Division I athletics and strong campus pride.
- System Flexibility: Access to various specialized campuses (e.g., UW-Milwaukee) offering quality education and potentially lower costs.
Also Read: Common FAQs for Studying Abroad in the USA
FAQs
Yes, the University of Wisconsin (UW) System campuses, including the flagship UW-Madison, do give scholarships to international students. While they do not offer U.S. federal or state financial aid, international students are eligible for merit-based scholarships, departmental funding (like assistantships), and private donor awards managed through campus-specific systems like the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH). These scholarships and tuition waivers significantly help cover the high cost of nonresident tuition.
Several highly selective universities and colleges offer need-based financial aid that meets 100% of a student’s demonstrated financial need, including for international students. These institutions, often referred to as “need-blind for international students” or “meet full need,” effectively provide full scholarships (grants) to the admitted international students who require it. Key examples include Harvard University, Princeton University, Yale University, MIT, Amherst College, and Berea College.
Yes, the University of Wisconsin System offers limited scholarships to international students, though primarily based on academic merit and are often highly competitive. While international students are not eligible for U.S. federal or state aid, they are considered for many institutional and departmental scholarships by completing the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH) application.
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