A UW–Madison education is invaluable, and the university continues to take meaningful steps to make it accessible for more Wisconsin families. With college costs rising nationwide, access and affordability remain central to the university’s mission. Financial barriers still shape who can attend college, which is why federal, state, and institutional support is so important.
Federal Pell Grants are a critical pillar of affordability for Wisconsin students. These need-based grants help reduce the cost of attendance, and recent federal investments have stabilized Pell funding in the near term. However, the long-term viability of the funding is not guaranteed, with projections showing a potential depletion within the next two years.
In fall 2025, Wisconsin took another significant step toward expanding access for in-state students with the launch of the Wisconsin Guarantee. Eligible first-year applicants who are in the top 10 percent of their class are guaranteed admission to a UW campus, while those in the top 5 percent of their graduating class are guaranteed admission to UW–Madison.
Full details can be found on the admissions website, but other eligibility requirements include:
- Applying as a high school senior
- Submitting your application for the fall term by November 1 and all required materials by November 10
- Meeting the coursework requirements for admission, set by the Board of Regents
In its first semester, 1,713 Wisconsin students qualified, representing roughly 16 percent of in-state applicants. Early outcomes show the Wisconsin Guarantee strengthens pathways for high-achieving Wisconsin students to remain in state and reinforces the value of public higher education.
The most recent freshman class reflects these efforts. A record 73,912 students applied to UW–Madison, and the class includes students from all 72 Wisconsin counties, all 50 states, and more than 50 countries. Importantly, a record-high 26 percent of incoming students are Pell recipients, and the university welcomed the largest number of first-generation college students in nearly two decades.
UW–Madison’s institutional aid programs further support access. Bucky’s Tuition Promise guarantees free tuition for eligible Wisconsin residents, the Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise covers the full in-state cost of attendance for Wisconsin Native Nations students, and Bucky’s Pell Pathway meets the full financial need of Pell-eligible students, including housing, meals, books, and other non-tuition expenses. In 2024–25, Bucky’s Pell Pathway supported 1,150 freshman and transfer students. Together, these programs now support nearly one in four new Wisconsin-resident students enrolled at UW–Madison.
Federal aid, state policy innovations like the Wisconsin Guarantee, and UW–Madison’s expanded institutional supports are helping more Wisconsin families access a world-class education.
