General Instructions and Inquiries:

Students are invited to apply for College of Letters & Science scholarships listed below by logging into WiSH (Wisconsin Scholarship Hub).

Email your questions and inquiries to scholarships@saa.ls.wisc.edu.

Annual Applications for College of Letters & Science Scholarships

Vary from $500 – $5,000

Over 200 scholarships awarded each cycle.

Requirements:

Must be a currently enrolled first year student, sophomore, junior, or senior who plans to enroll for the 2027-2028 year,
Must be a student in L&S,
Must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50, and
Must complete the scholarship application by the deadline.
Essays, activity/involvement records, and transcripts are required.
Successful applicants demonstrate strength in 2-3 of the following areas: academic excellence, service, leadership, diversity, creative accomplishment, and/or strength of character.

Many scholarships also require financial need as determined by a completed FAFSA on file with UW-Madison.

Awarded scholarships are typically paid out in Fall 2027/Spring 2028.

Log into WiSH to apply. Applicants may need to complete the WiSH general application before the L&S Continuing Student application appears.

Application Period: December 2, 2026 – February 15, 2027

Information Sessions:

Attend an information session to learn more about the annual L&S Continuing Student Scholarship Application Cycle. The information sessions will not be recorded.

Wednesday, January 13, 2027, from 5:30-6:30 PM Central Time – Zoom, registration required.
Thursday, February 4, 2027, from 5:30-6:30 PM Central Time, Zoom, registration required.

Other Letters & Science Opportunities Available 2026 – 2027 (with Distinct Applications)

Tommy Thompson Leadership Scholarship

$2,300

The Tommy G. Thompson Center on Public Leadership offers one scholarship award to one student per academic year. Scholarships are intended for undergraduates who have shown public leadership in their lives in a way that reflects the general legacy of Governor Tommy G. Thompson. This opportunity is open to all UW-Madison undergraduate students, not just those enrolled in L&S.

Requirements:

Must be a full-time student at a four-year University of Wisconsin System campus,
Must be in good academic standing,
Must be a degree-seeking student at the time of application and at the time of receiving the award,
Must have demonstrated leadership during their time in college and will continue in the future
Essay must contain content referencing Tommy Thompson.

Application Period: September 8, 2026 – October 18, 2026

The Wolff Fellowship Award

$45,000

The Wolff Fellows program provides an award of $45,000 to an outstanding graduating senior for a year-long travel, service, or study-abroad experience. Letters & Science graduates will be empowered to take on a year of travel and service as part of a new fellowship opportunity, made possible by a generous gift from Paul Martin Wolff and Rhea S. Schwartz.

Requirements:

Must be a student in L&S,
Must be a graduating senior in May 2027 (spring 2027),
Must be a student who has attended UW-Madison for the entirety of their undergraduate career (transfer students are ineligible for this opportunity),
Must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.75 (required at time of application), and
Must have distinguished themselves by demonstrating academic achievement, service to the University, and service to the greater world community.

Nomination Period*: September 30, 2026 – October 20, 2026
*Nomination not required.

Application Period: October 26, 2026 – January 24, 2027

Information Session:

Attend an information session on the Wolff Fellowship Award. The information session will not be recorded.

Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 5:30-6:30 PM Central Time – Zoom, registration required.

Richard Ralph Winter Phoenix Rising Humanitarian Scholarship

Up to $5,000

This scholarship rewards humanitarian achievement and service, encourages excellence and commitment in the application of humanitarian ideals, and affirms the moral obligation to provide for human welfare. This scholarship is made available by the generosity of Charles Manthey Winter and the Richard Ralph Winter Rising Phoenix Humanitarian Scholarship.

Requirements:

Must be second- or third-year L&S student with a strong record of community/humanitarian service.
Recommendations are required from those selected as a finalist.
Finalists are required to participate in an individual interview.

Awards are paid out in Fall 2027/Spring 2028.

Nomination Period: November 2, 2026 – November 20, 2026

Application Period: November 20, 2026 – January 24, 2027

Lawless Louis and Mathea Helen Mollere Pre-Medicine Scholarship

Up to $10,000

This scholarship supports a L&S junior or senior who is an aspiring physician and is in pursuit of attending medical school. Student must also have financial need.

Requirements:

Must be second- or third-year L&S student at the time of application,
Must demonstrate excellent academic records with evidence of progress in pre-med course work and service to the campus and/or Madison community, and
Student must demonstrate financial need as determined by a completed FAFSA on file with UW-Madison.
There is a preference for students who demonstrate breadth in the liberal arts outside of the biological sciences with donor preference for recipients who do not smoke or use alcohol or drugs.
Recommendations are required.

The scholarship is paid out in Fall 2027/Spring 2028.

Application Period: November 20, 2026 – January 31, 2027