Continuing Students
Scholarship awards recognize achievement, provide academic recognition, extend scholarly encouragement, and offset financial need. The College of Letters & Science has approximately 125 awards for currently enrolled Letters & Science students ranging from $500-$3,500 in one-time disbursements and multi-year awards. In addition, approximately, 10 scholarships are awarded each academic year by scholarship specific application.
Applicants are considered for many scholarships by completing one of the following applications:
• College of Letters & Science Scholarships Application for Current First Year Students is available to non-transfer students who are currently in their first year of enrollment regardless of academic standing by credit completion. Eligible students must not be new to UW-Madison in the spring 2025 semester or be graduating in spring or summer semesters of 2025.
• College of Letters & Science Scholarships Application for Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors is available to students who are current sophomores, juniors, or seniors who first enrolled at UW-Madison prior to summer semester 2024 or transfer students from another higher education institution who enrolled prior to spring semester 2025. Eligible students must not be graduating in spring or summer semesters of 2025. The current academic year application cycle opens December 6, 2024, and has a submission deadline of February 18, 2025. Scholarship recipients will be notified by the end of the spring 2025 semester with associated scholarship disbursements applied to the 2025-2026 academic year.
Do this| Log into WISH to complete general application and L&S Scholarships application beginning December 6.
Additional Scholarships
Additionally, the College of Letters & Science administers several scholarship competitions in the WiSH system through the year by specific application process.
• Tommy G. Thompson Leadership Scholarship
• Richard Ralph Winter Phoenix Rising Humanitarian Scholarship
• Manny Ross Great Thinkers Scholarship
• Wolff Fellowship
• Ginsberg Family Undergraduate Excellence Award
• Mathea and Lawless Mollere Pre-Medicine Scholarship
• Paul R. Ebling Pre-Medicine Scholarship
• Louise Troxell Award
• Edna Kerngood Glicksman Award
For more information see the 2025 Scholarships announcement.
Do this| view the Continuing Student Recommendation Tips page for more information about recommendations.
Eligibility
Students pursuing Letters & Science degrees, who are enrolled full-time, have a minimum 2.50 GPA, and complete an application are considered for Letters & Science scholarships. Please review the Letters & Science criteria for more detailed information about eligibility and selection. In addition to Letters & Science scholarship selection criteria, donor preferences guide award decision (geographic, area of study, GPA, academic level, etc.).
Non-residents and international students are eligible to apply. However, some scholarships have Wisconsin residency preferences. For the purposes of scholarship, Minnesota residents are considered non-Wisconsin residents.
Transfer students who enrolled prior to spring semester 2025 are eligible for the College of Letters & Science Scholarships Application for Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors. Students must not be graduating in spring or summer semesters of 2025. Additionally, students enrolled in UW-Madison sponsored study abroad programs are eligible to apply for L&S scholarships.
If you have a major in two different schools or colleges, you are not considered to be receiving a degree from Letters & Science and therefore are ineligible. Many students are undecided and can apply for Letters & Science scholarships. However, if you intend to enter any other school or college you are not eligible for Letters & Science scholarships. The scholarships are awarded to students earning a degree(s) from the College of Letters & Science.
Financial Need
At UW-Madison, financial need is determined by the FAFSA. Cost of attendance and the student aid index (SAI) determine the student’s level of financial need. Most scholarship applications also include a section where you can share extenuating circumstances.
Student financial aid packages may be impacted by scholarship awards. It is recommended that students contact the financial aid office to learn about potential impact on aid packages as a step in the application process.
Awarding Process
Notification of scholarship awards will be emailed in late April or early May. You can also check your application status by emailing scholarships@saa.ls.wisc.edu. Most of the L&S Scholarships are paid in the upcoming academic year (Fall 2025-Spring 2026).
The scholarship amount is applied to your UW account for tuition and housing. Upon payment of financial requirements, remaining funds will be issued as a refund. The L&S Scholarships Office recommends the eRefund option, as it is faster and hassle-free. Please review the following website regarding information about the eRefund. Scholarship payments to international students are posted via a different process that is dependent on tax residency status.
Pay It Forward
The College of Letters & Science is grateful to all donors that make scholarship awards possible. Students who are awarded scholarships are required to write thank you letters and attend functions with donors. There is an expectation that, when able, the student will give back in some way in the future. It is important to the College to continue to grow scholarships for future Letters & Science students.
Questions
If you have any questions, contact scholarships@saa.ls.wisc.edu or call (608) 262-4852.