For many Badgers, access to higher education is not possible without financial aid. That’s why UW–Madison is dedicated to promoting financial assistance programs to expand the reach of the university and to provide a world-class education to more students.
On August 20, the UW System Board of Regents voted unanimously to approve the Universities of Wisconsin’s budget request for the 2027–29 biennium. In the request, student financial aid was front and center. The request includes a proposal for a Work and Learn program, which would provide last-dollar financial aid for students who are working while in school and are from households with incomes below the state median. The budget request also includes a proposed four-year tuition pledge, which would freeze tuition at all UW schools and help keep Wisconsin a leader in affordable higher education.
By lobbying for more federal and state aid, advocates for the UW help increase Badgers’ access to funding. And by sharing information about the impact financial aid has on students, UW–Madison supporters demonstrate the significance of increased access to funding.
“Every gift, every advocacy effort, and every voice raised in support of financial aid helps open doors for students who have the talent and determination to succeed at UW–Madison,” says UW–Madison Office of Student Financial Aid communications manager Karla Weber Wandel ’06. “Together, donors and advocates make it possible for more Badgers to access the opportunities, experiences, and life-changing impact of a UW education.”
At the UW, Badgers have access to the university’s unique affordability initiatives including Bucky’s Pell Pathway, Bucky’s Tuition Promise, and the Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise Program. These programs depend on federal, state, institutional, and philanthropic support to reduce financial barriers for low-income and underrepresented students in Wisconsin.
Programs such as these help more Wisconsin families access the opportunities and value that higher education provides by removing financial barriers. UW–Madison student Brooke Brennan x’28 is a recipient of Bucky’s Pell Pathway support. “My life was very hard and very stressful growing up,” she says. “It has been such a relief to not have to worry about paying for college after everything I’ve gone through already.”
Support for expanding federal resources is an important part of maintaining student funding opportunities. Investments into Federal Pell Grants and other need-based financial aid programs are some of the best ways to make college more affordable for the largest number of students and to help the most financially vulnerable students.
Advocates can also make a difference for Badgers by helping students understand the resources available to them and by encouraging students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, which collects the information needed to distribute federal and state funds to learners. Supporters of the UW can contribute to student success by directly contributing to the university’s scholarship and financial aid funds that provide grants to students and distribute scholarships. These programs help more students graduate with less debt and set Badgers up for success beyond the university.
Another way to advocate for access to higher education is to share the value a UW–Madison education provides to students. By sharing personal stories and experiences about the impact of the UW, advocates help the donors, volunteers, and policymakers understand the importance of access.
“Financial aid is often the difference between a student dreaming about a UW–Madison education and being able to pursue one. These programs help remove financial barriers so students can focus on learning, growing, and reaching their full potential,” Weber Wandel said.
