Wisconsin Community Environmental Scholarship

The Wisconsin Community Environmental Scholarships provide a renewable award (amount subject to variation) to undergraduate students who are committed to community engagement around environmental issues. The scholarships are intended to support participation in the Community Environmental Scholarships Program (CESP). Students who receive CESP scholarships enroll in a one-credit seminar (ENVIR ST 317) in which they explore the opportunities and challenges faced by environmentally-focused community organizations, undertake group-based community service projects, and work on resumes and other career-building skills.

Eligibility Criteria
Sophomores and Juniors in good academic standing who plan to complete an undergraduate program in the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies can apply to CESP. Students must have unmet financial need to receive this scholarship. Scholarships are intended to fund a student’s last four semesters at UW-Madison.

How to Apply
Visit to the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH) to apply by logging in to your My Applications dashboard or by using the Sign In button in the top-right corner of your screen. Complete the application named “Community Environmental Scholars Program application” to apply for this scholarship.

Applications are evaluated based on financial need, academic merit, additional eligibility requirements, and commitment to environment and community demonstrated by your answers to questions on the application. Notifications are made by email. Students must sign a hard copy of an acceptance letter outlining program expectations. Payments are posted directly to the student’s UW tuition account.

Selection Criteria
These awards also are intended to increase participation from students with backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented in Environmental Studies. We especially encourage applications from students who identify with one or more of the following categories: first generation college student, students with disabilities, an underrepresented population, non-traditional student, or veteran.

Donor Information
The CESP program gratefully acknowledges the funding of these scholarships through the State of Wisconsin.

Award Information
The award is between $1,000 and $4,550 annually. Program participants generally receive continued financial support from the scholarship for two years but must reapply annually to reconfirm eligibility. The award amount may vary from year to year based on student performance, participation, and strength of (re)application materials.

Conditions of Award
Students who receive this scholarship must: (1) maintain satisfactory academic progress, (2) be enrolled at least half time (6 credits minimum) for each semester in which the scholarship is received, (3) enroll in a one-credit CESP seminar each semester for a total of three times, (4) participate in CESP cohort building experiences and leadership development exercises throughout the year, and (5) meet with an undergraduate advisor at least twice a semester to discuss academic progress.

This scholarship requires a completed FAFSA form on file with UW-Madison. Student financial aid packages can be impacted by scholarship awards. It is recommended that students contact the Office of Student Financial Aid to learn about potential impact on current aid packages.

For more information about CESP, visit the program’s website.