Scholarships for Nontraditional, Adult, & Single Parent Students

Thanks to the generous contributions from our donors, scholarships are available for nontraditional, adult and single parent students. There are 15 individual scholarships associated with this opportunity! Last year, Adult Career and Special Student Services awarded over $200,000 to 34 students!

To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree program at UW-Madison and have had a significant cumulative break in their education. All applicants must demonstrate financial need and be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or eligible non-citizens as defined by FAFSA. All scholarships include a minimum enrollment requirement that varies by award. (No break in education is required in order to be eligible for the Single Parent Scholarship.) Go to our TIPS page to learn more about applying for Nontraditional, Adult, & Single Parent scholarships!

Visit the Adult Career and Special Student Services website to learn more!

Award
Varies
Organizations
Division of Continuing Studies
Deadline
02/10/2024
Supplemental Questions
  1. Preface

    Thanks to the generous contributions from our donors, scholarships are available for nontraditional, adult, and single parent students. There are 15 individual scholarships associated with this opportunity! Last year, Adult Career and Special Student Services awarded over $200,000 to 34 students!

    To be eligible, applicants must be admitted to an undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree program at UW-Madison and have had a significant cumulative break in their education. (No break in education is required in order to be eligible for the Single Parent Scholarship.) All applicants must demonstrate financial need and be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or eligible non-citizens as defined by FAFSA. All scholarships include a minimum enrollment requirement that varies by award.

    Applicants must be admitted to the University of Wisconsin-Madison by the stated scholarship application deadline in order to be considered. (Undergraduate admission is not required of Badger Ready applicants.)

    Consideration for these scholarships is based on the eligibility criteria for each award as well as: financial need, academic success/potential, educational and career goals, commitment and dedication to educational endeavors, and community involvement/aspirations.

    See the ACSSS Tips webpage for assistance in filling out this application! (https://kb.wisc.edu/acsss/78353)
    • Previous Education
      • 1. What year did you graduate from high school or complete a high school equivalency (GED/HSED)?
      • 2. What is the highest level of education that you have successfully completed thus far?
      • 3. Are you a first-generation college student (neither parent/guardian completed a four-year degree)?
      • 4. Please list all schools of higher education in which you have attended including UW-Madison. Include each school's name, years of attendance, major/program, degree(s) earned, graduation date(s) and respective cumulative GPA. (If at any time, your GPA was under 2.5, please briefly explain here.)
      • 5. What is the cumulative number of years in which you experienced breaks in your pursuit of higher education? (Please include the cumulative/total number of years which can include multiple breaks.)
      • 6. Briefly indicate the dates/years of your educational break(s) and reason(s) for each break.
      • 7. Please briefly describe your readiness to continue your education.
    • Educational Plans
      • 10. When do you anticipate graduating from the degree program that you will be starting/continuing the Fall? (Term & Year)
      • 11. Will you be an UNDERGRADUATE student in the COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE in the Fall?
      • 12. How many degree credits do you intend to take in Fall 2024?
      • 13. How many degree credits do you intend to take in Spring 2025?
      • 8. Will you be pursuing a UW-Madison online degree program?
      • 9. What degree will you be pursuing in the 2024/2025 academic year?
    • Family
      • 14. What is your current marital status?
      • 15. How many dependent children do you have? (Please also include their age(s))
      • 16. Do you anticipate a change in your marital status and/or dependents in the next year?
      • 17. If 'Yes', briefly explain: (If 'No', please enter "N/A")
      • 18. Are you the sole head of household (as defined by the IRS)?
      • 19. Are you a single parent? (i.e. have sole responsibility of a minor child or children)
    • Financial Information

      Please note that your financial information must be accurate at the time you apply. If married, you must include your spouse's earnings as well.

      If something changes with your finances after submitting the scholarship application, please contact the Scholarship Coordinator at anne.niendorf@wisc.edu as soon as possible. Additionally, if you are currently unemployed, you must also explain your current living situation in the section regarding your financial circumstances.
      • 20. Have you submitted your FAFSA for the 2024-2025 academic year? (Submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required by February 10th for consideration.))
      • 21. Have you ever received one of the Division of Continuing Studies' Returning Adult/Single Parent Scholarships OR Continuing Education Grants?
      • 22. What sources of educational funding do you have THIS YEAR? Check all that apply.
      • 23. Please explain these sources of funding including the name of each, the amount awarded and how long the benefit will last. ADDITIONALLY, do you anticipate a change in your education funding next year?
      • 24. What was your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) in 2023? (Combined family income AFTER taxes.)
      • 25. What is your estimated Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) in 2024? (Combined family income AFTER taxes.)
      • 26. Briefly explain any additional forms of non-taxable support/income you are receiving such as child support, AFDC, TANF, SSI/SSDI, etc.
      • 27. What is your household's current total cash and savings?
      • 28. Please indicate any investments not included in your cash/savings such as stocks, bonds, assets, etc.
      • 29. What is the sum amount of your household's average MONTHLY expenses? Including food, housing, transportation, healthcare, childcare, education, etc.
      • 30. Please explain your financial circumstances leading to your request for assistance with educational expenses.
    • Personal Statement
      • 31. IMPORTANT! In essay form (three paragraphs or more), please describe your educational and career goals and how this scholarship will help you attain them. Additionally, please address how barriers (educational, familial, etc.) have hindered previous educational attempts and what has encouraged you to continue in the face of adversity as a nontraditional student. Elaborate on your academic success/potential, dedication to your education, and community involvement/aspirations.
      • 32. Please write a short (100-120 word) biographical statement using your pronoun. See examples from last year at: https://d3nlk01mgnb6y1.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2023/04/Program-final.pdf. (Note that the statements are to be written in third person.)
    • Recommendations
      • 33. Please list two professional or educational references including name, relationship, phone number and email address. (Letters of reference are not needed.)
    • Employment & Community Involvement
      • 34. Please upload a copy of your resume including volunteer work, activities and community involvement.
    • Referral
      • 35. May we share your name and contact information if another UW-Madison unit or recognized philanthropic organization contacts us for candidates who might be eligible for their scholarships/grants?
      • 36. How did you hear about this scholarship opportunity?
      • 37. Please explain:
      • 38. Would you be interested in receiving information from UW-Madison's Office of Child Care and Family Recourses? (https://occfr.wisc.edu/about/)
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