Overview

• The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-M) has announced a program to cover the full cost of an undergraduate degree for in-state residents who are members of federally recognized Wisconsin Indian tribes, starting in fall 2024.
• The program, named the Wisconsin Tribal Educational Promise, will also cover housing, meals, books and other educational expenses for eligible students, and is not based on financial need.
• A 5-year pilot program will also cover in-state tuition and fees for J.D. (law) and M.D. (medical) students who are in-state residents and members of federally recognized Wisconsin tribes.
• The program will be funded through institutional resources and private donations, not taxpayer funding.
• The announcement comes days after a controversial deal limiting the university’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in exchange for $800 million in new state funding.