Funding Your Education
We can help you find the right path to funding your education. Learn more about all of the opportunities.
CALS has an extensive scholarship program with more that $1.2 million in awards available to CALS students annually, including first-year students. These awards are possible thanks to the generosity of alumni, organizations and corporate sponsors who wish to provide financial support to CALS students specifically.
CALS scholarships are awarded in addition to financial aid provided through the University of Wisconsin’s Office of Student Financial Aid, which can include scholarships, grants, loans, and employment. The Office of Student Financial Aid uses information on financial need, assessed through Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), to create aid packages.
One yearly application allows students to be considered for all scholarships administered by the college. Incoming students are considered automatically if they are admitted to CALS and have activated their NetID, more information can be found on this page. Current CALS students should fill out a scholarship application using the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH) during the application period which is early November to early February.
Some scholarships are awarded based on financial need and require a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form on file with the university for students to be considered.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Office of Student Financial Aid provides financial aid packages to students with financial aid. To be considered for UW financial aid, students must complete the FAFSA and have results sent to UW-Madison.
Several specialized funding opportunities are also available to CALS students. For example, scholarships are available to students participating in the QuickStart program or choosing to study abroad. Some departments also have scholarship and award opportunities for students enrolled in specific majors.
Undergraduate Academic Awards: Undergraduates and recent graduates may pursue nationally competitive scholarships and campus-wide awards for research, service and leadership—activities at the heart of the Wisconsin Experience. The Undergraduate Academic Awards Office assists with this process.
Student Employment: For student employment opportunities on and near campus.
CALS Short Term Loans: CALS offers Emergency Short Term Loans up to $1,500 for students in need of emergency funding.
Office of Child Care & Family Resources: Provides child care financial assistance awards to income eligible students through the Child Care Tuition Assistance Program (CCTAP), the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant, and a reduced rate back-up child care program.
Did you know?
> $1.2 million
CALS scholarships awarded in addition to University scholarships, grants, and loans.
600 +
Students receive CALS Scholarship Awards
$2,500
Average CALS scholarship award
1
One yearly application for current students to be considered for all CALS scholarships
With the financial burden of education rising each year, being granted a CALS scholarship such as this means so much. The privilege to be granted financial aid, in any capacity, allows me some ease while continuing my education. I do not need to worry as much about the financial burden of trying to further my education. This allows me to focus on my studies and get the most out of my time at the University of Wisconsin- Madison.
Education is a dynamic endeavor and having access to a CALS scholarship has made this process navigable for me, respective of allowing me time to pursue a viable pathway. As time is money, and every dollar counts, this scholarship will also increase my ability to succeed in numerous other ways related to time and stress. In a long lens view this scholarship will have a legacy impact on my and my children’s lives by reducing the total amount of dollars I will have to borrow. And, by increasing my ability to succeed and one day pursue my dreams, it will also allow me to set an example for my sons. There could be no greater impact than that!
Thanks to the generous donations of Ruth and Carl Miller, I am able to continue pursuing my college education without the stress of financial burden. In a world with so many uncertainties, it is truly priceless to be able to work hard towards a college degree and watch a world full of doors open up in front of you. Because of this award, I am able to continue doing just that, and reaching my fullest potential. I promise no penny spent on me will ever be taken for granted.
After a challenging few semesters navigating college and a changing world it feels wonderful to have your hard work recognized. Being awarded this CALS scholarship means that I will have more time to focus on my studies and my lab position. The generosity of donors truly makes a difference in students’ lives, and I am so thankful for all they have given.
FAQ’s
Incoming students are considered automatically if they are admitted to CALS and have activated their NetID after submission of their UW-Madison application. More information can be found on this page.
Current CALS students should fill out a scholarship application using the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH) during the application period, which is early November to early February. Your application must be completed and submitted by the February deadline to be eligible for the next year’s awards.
Some specialized scholarships, including scholarships for QuickStart and Study Abroad, have their own application cycle.
To apply for CALS scholarships:
- Go to the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub, also known as WiSH.
- Sign in with your NetID and password
- Click on and complete the General Application
- Click on and complete the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Application
- Complete any “Other Recommended Opportunities” identified based on your application information
At UW-Madison, campus level financial aid is administered by the Office of Student Financial Aid and is based on financial need of students, as assessed by FAFSA. There are many programs run through the Office of Student Financial Aid such as Bucky’s Tuition Promise and Chancellor-Knapp Scholars Program, all open to CALS students.
CALS Scholarships are funds administered by CALS to support CALS students, and may be awarded to students on top of financial aid packages. Different CALS scholarships have different criteria to match with students – some will take GPA and other scholarly activity into account, others may look at financial need, area or major of interest, career plans, and residency.
Yes, many students receive a CALS Scholarship in addition to the financial aid received from the UW Student Financial Aid Office. Individual student situations (financial need, level of financial aid awarded) will determine eligibility for CALS Scholarships on top of financial aid awards.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that can be prepared annually by current and prospective college students in the United States to determine their eligibility for student financial aid.
When filling out your FAFSA, the UW-Madison school code: 003895. More information about FAFSA can be found here.
Some CALS Scholarships are awarded based on financial need. To be eligible you must have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file at UW-Madison.
Yes! Incoming students are considered automatically for CALS scholarships if they are admitted to CALS and have activated their NetID after submission of their UW-Madison application. More information can be found on this page.
Some scholarships and awards in CALS are administered through departments. To learn more about scholarship and award opportunities associated with your major, see the “Resources and Scholarships” tab for your major in Guide or contact the department who administers your major.
International students are encouraged to apply and will be considered for CALS Scholarships that do not require financial need. Students may also contact UW Madison’s International Student Services Office to learn about additional funding opportunities available for international students.
Although CALS does not have specific scholarships for veterans at this time, veterans are encouraged to apply for CALS Scholarships. Veterans should also contact UW Veterans Services with questions about education benefits.
The majority of CALS Scholarship notifications occur in mid-March and mid-April. However, students should monitor their emails and WiSH dashboards from January through August as awarding happens in cycles based on admissions, college, and departmental award decisions.
Specialized scholarship notification (e.g. for QuickStart and Study Abroad) will depend on the application cycle.
For students who are US citizens, scholarship funds will go to the Bursar’s Office and be applied to any outstanding balance in their student account. International student scholarships must be paid via the payroll system. The CALS scholarship team will be able to assist all students to ensure you get your scholarship award.
Office of Academic Affairs
116 Agricultural Hall
1450 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706
Office Hours: 7:45am – 4:30pm
For current & prospective student general inquiries:
Phone: 608.262.3003
Email: academicaffairs@cals.wisc.edu