Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for college · Madison, WI
How students pay for the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Sticker price $29,943 a year. After grants, the average student pays $16,600, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $3,424 to $28,208.
- 45%admitted
- 36,902undergraduates
- 90%graduate
- 32%get a grant from the school
Free tuition program
Bucky's Tuition Promise
Who: New Wisconsin-resident first-year and transfer students on campus with household AGI of $65,000 or less, seeking a first bachelor's degree What: Last-dollar award covering tuition and segregated fees (plus the new student and document fees) for 8 semesters for first-years or 4 semesters for transfers; offered automatically with the FAFSA
Official details →What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $44,191 a year versus $12,166 for Wisconsin residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
32%grant from University of Wisconsin-Madisonavg $12,811
17%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,295
16%state grantavg $2,698
24%federal student loanavg $5,182
Scholarships from University of Wisconsin-Madison
Awards the school itself offers, as published on its own website (checked 2026-10-28). Amounts and deadlines change: confirm on the linked page.
- Bucky's Pell PathwayMeets full financial need
New first-year and transfer students in an on-campus program who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant.
- Automatic scholarship consideration for incoming studentsVaries
Incoming students who have activated their UW NetID after applying for admission.
- Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH) scholarshipsVaries
Incoming and continuing students; one WiSH application matches you to university, school and college scholarships.
- UW-Madison need-based grants
Undergraduates seeking a first bachelor's degree with financial need shown on the FAFSA.
Priority FAFSA deadline: December 1, 2026 for 2027-28. CSS Profile: not required starting fall 2027 (it was required for incoming first-year and….
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · Wisconsin
Wisconsin Grant
Set each year by the Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB), which fixes the minimum and maximum award; prorated by credit load
Who qualifies: Wisconsin residents with financial need in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at a UW campus, Wisconsin technical college, tribal college or Wisconsin non-profit private college, for up to ten semesters.
How: No separate application: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →State grant · Wisconsin
Academic Excellence Scholarship
Up to $2,250 a year toward tuition, for up to eight semesters
Who qualifies: Wisconsin high-school seniors with the highest GPA in their school (the number per school depends on enrollment) who enroll full-time at a participating Wisconsin college.
How: No application: your high school names the recipients based on GPA.
Official rules →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in Madison
| Studio | $1,330/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $1,530/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $875/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 53706. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$7.25/hour minimum wage in Wisconsin
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $3,262 before tax. That covers about 4 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: Wisconsin's minimum wage is the same as the federal $7.25. Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$18,375median federal debt≈ $209/month over 10 years
$80,330median earnings10 years after enrolling
90%graduate within 6 yearsfirst-time students
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for University of Wisconsin-Madison
Does University of Wisconsin-Madison offer free tuition?
Yes: Bucky's Tuition Promise. New Wisconsin-resident first-year and transfer students on campus with household AGI of $65,000 or less, seeking a first bachelor's degree Last-dollar award covering tuition and segregated fees (plus the new student and document fees) for 8 semesters for first-years or 4 semesters for transfers; offered automatically with the FAFSA.
What scholarships does University of Wisconsin-Madison offer?
Bucky's Pell Pathway (Meets full financial need); Automatic scholarship consideration for incoming students (Varies); Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH) scholarships (Varies); UW-Madison need-based grants (Not published). Details and deadlines are on the school's financial aid pages.
How much does University of Wisconsin-Madison really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $16,600 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $3,424 to $28,208. The full cost of attendance before aid is $29,943.
Does University of Wisconsin-Madison give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 32% of first-year students received a grant from University of Wisconsin-Madison itself, averaging $12,811. 17% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,295).
How much is rent near University of Wisconsin-Madison?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (53706) is $1,530 a month for a one-bedroom and $1,750 for a two-bedroom, about $875 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at University of Wisconsin-Madison?
Yes. The minimum wage in Wisconsin is $7.25 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $3,262 before tax.
How much debt do University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $18,375, about $209 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $80,330.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with University of Wisconsin-Madison. How these pages work.
More in Wisconsin: All colleges in Wisconsin →