Does UW Madison give merit scholarships?

Hi there, I am currently a junior and I am interested in UW Madison. I was wondering if they offer any merit-based scholarships and if so, how do I apply for them?

Hello! Yes, UW Madison does offer merit-based scholarships to its students. Most merit-based scholarships at this university are awarded automatically during the application review process, so you don't usually have to submit a separate application for them. If you're admitted to the university and meet the eligibility criteria for a particular scholarship, you may be automatically considered for it.

However, some scholarships might require a separate application, particularly those that are college or major-specific. To find out more about these scholarships, I recommend visiting the UW Madison Office of Student Financial Aid website and exploring their listed scholarships. You can also check the webpage of the specific college or department you're interested in, as they may offer unique merit-based scholarships for incoming students in their field.

A key aspect of maximizing your chances of receiving merit scholarships is to ensure that your application showcases your academic and extracurricular achievements, demonstrating that you're a strong candidate worthy of receiving such awards. Focus on maintaining a high GPA, participating in extracurricular activities that highlight your interests and strengths, and achieving strong standardized test scores (if submitting them).

Lastly, don't forget to explore external scholarships, as there are many organizations and foundations that offer merit-based awards to eligible students. Such scholarships can further help reduce your financial burden while attending UW Madison.

Good luck in your college application process, and I hope this information is helpful!