MADISON, Wis.—Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman today announced the Wisconsin Tuition Promise will fund a new cohort of students starting in fall 2025.
Listen: President Rothman audio message about Wisconsin Tuition Promise
Students who come from families earning $55,000 or less annually will be able to attend one of 11 UWs without having to pay tuition or fees. UW-Madison and UW-Milwaukee separately operate their own tuition promise programs.
“We’re pleased to once again offer Wisconsin resident students of modest means an opportunity to attend a UW tuition-free,” Rothman said. “We know that for a number of students cost is a barrier to enrollment and removing that barrier is critical.”
Rothman made the announcement today because this week high school seniors across Wisconsin are beginning to receive letters of admission to 10 of 13 UWs under the new Direct Admit Wisconsin program. Based on grades and coursework through their junior year, Direct Admit offers admission to students without a formal application.
“We want students who are receiving notice of admission to know that the Wisconsin Tuition Promise is available if they meet the income requirements,” Rothman said.
The Tuition Promise is a “last dollar” program, which means that it pays for tuition and fees that remain after a student’s federal, state, and private financial aid is exhausted. Students will still need to pay for housing, food, and other costs of attendance.
Among other Tuition Promise eligibility requirements, students must be Wisconsin residents, complete a FAFSA, and meet academic progress standards.
The Universities of Wisconsin last funded a Tuition Promise for undergraduates enrolling in the fall of 2023.
An estimated 1,300 students starting in fall 2025 are expected to qualify for the program. The amount of “last dollar” financial aid provided will depend upon the exact number of students who are assisted.
A $5 million grant from Ascendium Education Group is funding the new cohort. The Universities of Wisconsin Administration will provide a matching $5 million. Additional support will come from the 11 participating universities, which will work closely with students as they progress toward graduation.
“We’re deeply grateful to Ascendium Education Group for providing a critical funding component for the Wisconsin Tuition Promise,” Rothman said. “We would not have been able to do it without that support.”
“Ascendium believes in the power of learning after high school to transform lives,” said Richard George, chairman, president, and CEO of Ascendium Education Group. “All learners, regardless of economic background, should have the opportunity to succeed. The knowledge gained by evaluating the effects of removing financial obstacles and providing dedicated support services will be invaluable as new approaches are crafted in the future. We are honored to support the Wisconsin Tuition Promise and the positive impact it will have on participants’ lives.”
Rothman said Universities of Wisconsin have contracted with the SSTAR Lab at UW-Madison to study the effectiveness of the Wisconsin Tuition Promise.
More information on eligibility requirements for the Wisconsin Tuition Promise can be found at wisconsin.edu/tuition-promise/2025wisconsintuitionpromise/.
The Universities of Wisconsin serve more than 162,500 students. Awarding nearly 37,000 degrees annually, these 13 public universities are Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Nearly 90 percent of in-state Universities of Wisconsin graduates stay in the state five years after earning a degree. The universities provide a 23:1 return on state investment. The Universities of Wisconsin also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy. Learn more at wisconsin.edu.