Home » Empower Students » More questions about Great People?
UW-Madison students receive the lowest level of scholarship grant support of any Big Ten university. Nationally, as many as 35 percent of undergraduates receive Pell grants at institutions such as California State University, Berkeley, compared to just 14 percent at UW-Madison.

UW-Madison students receive the lowest level of scholarship grant support of any Big Ten university. Nationally, as many as 35 percent of undergraduates receive Pell grants at institutions such as California State University, Berkeley, compared to just 14 percent at UW-Madison.

More questions about Great People?

Q. Why are scholarships for student financial aid a priority when faculty recruitment and retention, facilities, curriculum and programs also need support?
A. At Wisconsin, we want to attract the best and brightest undergraduates from economically diverse backgrounds to energize the campus and reaffirm the University’s mission—helping all of our students prepare to live and lead in the real world. Even with one of the lowest tuition rates of any of the nation’s top 10 public universities, a University of Wisconsin-Madison education is out of reach for many promising students. As state support for the University has diminished to less than 20 percent, the cost of a top-quality education has increased to a level beyond what is affordable for the median-income Wisconsin family and many out-of-state residents.
Q. How is the UW faculty and staff involved with this campaign?
A. As they saw how costs were rising, faculty and staff identified student access and affordability as major issues. They seized on the UW Foundation’s offer of a match for gifts supporting students and took action. The Faculty and Staff Great People Scholarship Initiative began with a resolution from the Faculty Senate, followed by the Academic Staff Assembly and classified staff approval, focusing on undergraduate student support. Counting matching funds, staff and faculty have helped to generate almost $2 million for Great People scholarships.
Q. How many UW-Madison undergraduates receive financial aid?
A. About 56 percent of all full-time students. The number has been rising since 1999.
Q. How will scholarship recipients be selected?
A. All recipients of Great People scholarships will have met the merit-based criteria for admission to the University. Recipients will be selected by the Office of Student Financial Aid on the basis of financial need.
Q. Who are potential recipients of Great People scholarship support?
A. UW-Madison students from across the country are finding it difficult to keep up with rising tuition costs, even when the University has the second lowest in-state tuition in the Big Ten and the non-resident tuition for Wisconsin is ranked sixth.
  • 22 percent of UW-Madison undergraduates are the first members of their families to attend college.
  • 75 percent of UW-Madison students are Wisconsin residents.
  • Talented non-residents are finding it increasingly difficult to afford tuition costs.
Q. What is the relationship between the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates and the Great People Scholarship Campaign?
A. Student support is a campus-wide top priority. The Madison Initiative, which calls for an incremental tuition charge that grows cumulatively by $250 per year for Wisconsin residents and $750 annually for non-residents, will generate much needed revenue to invest in faculty and provide a significant financial aid fund. About one-quarter of the dollars generated each year will be used to build a pool of financial support, beginning with $2.5 million the first year and building to $10 million annually by the fourth year. In partnership with the UW Foundation, the University seeks to raise an equal amount each year in private support. To meet this expectation, the Foundation launched the Great People Scholarship Campaign.
Q. What other funds do these students receive?
A. UW-Madison students have access to a variety of available funds, but these are insufficient to meet the growing demand for financial aid. The Great People Scholarship and the Madison Initiative for Undergraduates seek to provide additional financial aid support.
UW-Madison students receive the lowest level of scholarship grant support of any Big Ten university. Nearly 35 percent of undergraduate students at California State University, Berkeley, receive Pell grants compared to only 14 percent of UW-Madison.
Q. The University of Wisconsin Foundation has committed $20 million to match private gifts designated to student scholarships through the Great People Scholarship Campaign. Where did this money come from?
A. The matching funds for the Great People Scholarship Campaign come from the Foundation’s general fund equity generated from investment revenues in excess of Foundation expenses. This match will allow you to maximize the impact of your gift.
Q. How do I make a gift to the Great People Scholarship Campaign?
A. Your gift, whatever its size, does make a difference and is greatly appreciated. Give a gift online or call Dani Luckett at 608-265-2713 for more information. Please join us by investing in the future. Every gift makes a difference. Every dollar makes a difference. Every student makes a difference.
Q. How does this scholarship program differ from the Wisconsin Covenant that was established by Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle or the Wisconsin Scholars, generously funded by John and Tashia Morgridge?
A. The Wisconsin Covenant program was established in 2006 with a $40 million gift from the Great Lakes Guaranty Corporation to inspire young people to plan early for a successful high school career that will lead to higher education. It will offset the cost of college for those Wisconsin families most in need of financial aid. Students will attend a University of Wisconsin System school, a Wisconsin technical college and/or a Wisconsin private college or university.
The Fund for Wisconsin Scholars was established in 2007 with a $175 million gift from John and Tashia Morgridge. A permanent endowment was created to provide grants for eligible, talented high school graduates to attend any state university or technical school in Wisconsin. As generous as these programs are, they will not meet the entire existing need. In addition, as we gather a more diverse student population to the University, the demand for financial aid continues to grow.
Q. I would like to establish a scholarship in honor of my parents who attended the University. Is this possible?
A. Yes. The Great People Scholarship Campaign offers an excellent opportunity to honor someone close to you. Named endowments can be established by individuals and groups who give a total of $25,000 or more over three years. Endowment-level gifts directed to a specific school or college will be matched 50 cents to the dollar.
Q. What does it cost to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison?
A. Throughout most of the University’s history, tuition was nominal and the economic barriers to attending UW-Madison were low. In the 1960s, for example, tuition was approximately $200 per year and the total cost, including room, board and books, was about $1,400. Today, tuition for a Wisconsin resident is more than $8,300 per year with room and board adding another $12,000, for a total of just over $20,300. Nonresident students pay more than $23,000 in tuition and $35,000 in total.
Q. I attended the University of Wisconsin in 1960 and worked my way through school. Why can’t today’s students do this?
A. Students can no longer meet rising costs simply by working more hours. In 1960, students working 12 hours per week for 40 weeks during the academic year and 40 hours per week during the summer could cover 67 percent of their educational costs. Today, students working the same number of hours can cover only 34 percent.

Invest in the quality of the University of Wisconsin-Madison today and for generations to come with a gift to the Great People Scholarship. The University of Wisconsin Foundation can match gifts dollar for dollar, up to a total of $20 million.