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. In-coming students should fill out the scholarship application as soon as they apply for admissions (deadline for scholarship applications are early February). Admitted in-coming students may also be considered for CALS scholarship offers based on information from their Madison admission application.
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.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities: The Office of Academic Affairs receives notification of scholarships offered by various outside agencies and organizations that may be of interest to CALS students. CALS does not administer these scholarships.
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.
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.
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 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.
First-year and transfer students should apply for CALS Scholarships as soon as you apply for admissions. Scholarship applications are open from 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 be considered for UW financial aid, you must complete the FAFSA and have results sent to UW-Madison.
For specialized scholarships, visit the site associated with the activity for which you are seeking scholarship support: QuickStart scholarships require FAFSA and the general QuickStart application; Study Abroad CALS Scholarships require a separate application through WiSH; departmental scholarships vary by department; additional scholarship requirements will vary by opportunity.
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, 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.
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, CALS Scholarships are available at all levels for students who have filled-out the CALS Scholarship application. In-coming first-year students may also be considered for CALS scholarship offers based on information from their UW-Madison admissions application in addition to their FAFSA to assess need.
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.
Some scholarships and awards in CALS are administered through departments. To learn more about scholarship and award opportunities associated with your major, see “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 contain a financial need component. 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 to find matching opportunities. Veterans should also contact UW Veterans Services with questions about education benefits.
Office of Academic Affairs
116 Agricultural Hall 1450 Linden Drive Madison, WI 53706
