For many students, money is the deciding factor between going to college and jumping right into the workforce. As the cost of college tuition climbs higher and higher, financial stress increases, forcing many students to work long hours or even drop out of school. Fortunately, students can find a variety scholarships and grants to help pay for their education.
Numerous organizations and local businesses in the state of Wisconsin provide scholarships for students based on their academic history, financial need, family background, or college major.
Related Resource: Highest Paying College Majors
1. The Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs
The Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs awards $1,500 scholarships to high school seniors who are a member of the club. Recipients must have been a member for two years before winning the scholarship and planned to attend a college or university. The club also offers continuing education scholarships for students who are already enrolled in a college or university.
You can learn more about the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs here.
2. The Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation
The Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation awards scholarships to students with bleeding disorders who are pursuing higher education. Applicants must live in Wisconsin and submit their high school transcript, three letters of reference, and a narrative between 500 and 750 words about their educational goals and the challenges they face from their bleeding disorder. The scholarship amounts range between $250 and $3,000.
You can learn more about The Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation here.
Related Resource: Best College Towns in America
3. Richard Weinreis Memorial Scholarship
The Richard Weinreis Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a student in Marathon County in Central Wisconsin who has had formal court contact in the past seven years. Applicants must submit their transcript, two letters of reference, a list of extracurricular activities and community service, and an essay. The scholarship is worth $300 and can be awarded for the second year depending on the recipient’s performance.
You can learn more about the Richard Weinreis Memorial Scholarship here.
4. The Roma Lodge Merit Scholarship
Roma Lodge awards a $4,000 scholarship to the child of a Roma Lodge member. The recipient must be a graduating high school senior and plan to attend a college or university full-time. To apply, students must submit their high school transcript, SAT or ACT scores, and two letters of recommendation. The scholarship is awarded in $1,000 amounts at the beginning of each year for four years
You can learn more about The Roma Lodge Merit Scholarship here.
5. The Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship
The Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship is awarded to the student with the highest GPA in each Wisconsin private or public school. The recipients must attend a Wisconsin Technical College, University of Wisconsin, or another eligible independent institution within the state. The scholarship winners will receive $2,250 per year for four years.
You can learn more aboutThe Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship here.
6. The Indian Student Assistant Grant
The Higher Educational Aids Board provides grants to Wisconsin students who are at least 25 percent Native American. Recipients must be attending or planning to attend an eligible college or university as an undergraduate or graduate student. The grants are based on financial need and vary in amount from $250 to $1,100. They are renewable for up to ten semesters.
You can learn more about The Indian Student Assistant Grant here.
7. The Wisconsin Minority Undergraduate Retention Grant
The Wisconsin Minority Undergraduate Retention grants are awarded to undergraduate students who are African American, American Indian, Hispanic, or Southeast Asian. Recipients must be enrolled at least half-time in an independent institution, tribal institution, or Wisconsin Technical Institution. The grant amounts are based on financial need and vary from $250 to $2,500 per year. They can be renewed for up to eight semesters.
You can learn more about The Wisconsin Minority Undergraduate Retention Grant here.
8. The Wisconsin Women’s Alliance Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship is available for female students age 25 or older who are enrolled or plan to enroll in a college or university. The foundation chooses the recipients based on career goals, employment history, community service, and financial need. The number of recipients and the monetary amount varies yearly, but the maximum amount awarded is $1,000.
You can learn more about The Wisconsin Women’s Alliance Foundation Scholarship here.
9. The Wisconsin Bakers Association Scholarship
The Wisconsin Bakers Association awards $1,000 scholarship to students who have worked as bakery operators for at least 500 hours. Applicants must submit a resume, three letters of reference, and a personal statement explaining their career goals and how the scholarship will benefit them. The number of students who receive the scholarship varies yearly.
You can learn more about The Wisconsin Bakers Association Scholarship here.
10. The Kohler Foundation Scholarships
The Kohler Foundation awards two scholarships of up to $80,000 to students in Sheboygan County. The Herbert V. Kohler Scholarship is awarded to a student with outstanding leadership abilities, and the Ruth DeYoung Kohler Scholarship is awarded to a student for their artistic ability. The scholarship recipients can attend any college or university inside or outside of Wisconsin.
You can learn more about The Kohler Foundation Scholarships here.
11. The WPS Foundation College Scholarship
Wisconsin Public Service awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors who live in the WPS territory or are the child of a WPS employee. Applicants must plan to attend a college or university in Wisconsin and be in the top 10 percent of his or her graduating class. They award several scholarships each year of amounts up to $1,000.
You can learn more about The WPS Foundation College Scholarship here.
12. The Linus M. Stoll Memorial Scholarship
The Linus M. Stoll Technical College Scholarship is awarded to the son or daughter of a Wisconsin Public Service customer or employee. The recipient must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, be planning to attend a Wisconsin technical college, and have participated in extracurricular activities and community service. WPS awards two $1,000 scholarships each year.
You can learn more about The Linus M. Stoll Memorial Scholarship here.
13. The WRA Education Foundation Scholarship
The Education Foundation Scholarship, awarded by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, is available to Wisconsin students enrolled in a culinary or hospitality program. Applicants must submit their official transcripts and a letter of recommendation, preferably from an employer or food service instructor. The Association awards 35 scholarships each year ranging in amount from $1,000 to $2,250.
You can learn more about The WRA Education Foundation Scholarship here.
14. The AFS Wisconsin Past President Scholarship
The AFS Wisconsin Chapter awards a scholarship to a Wisconsin student who is pursuing a program in the cast metal industry. Preference for the award is given to students who have good academic history and have work experience in the cast metal industry. To apply, students must complete a profile on the Foundry Educational Foundation website. The scholarship amount varies yearly.
You can learn more about The AFS Wisconsin Past President Scholarship here.
15. The WABA Scholarship Program
The Wisconsin Agri-Business Association awards a scholarship to a student at each University of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Technical College. The scholarship amounts range from $1,000 to $2,500. Students must be nominated by staff at their college or university to be considered for the award. The scholarship committee considers nominated students’ resumes and academic histories to pick the recipients.
You can learn more about The WABA Scholarship Program here.
16. The Wisconsin Agri-Business Association
The Wisconsin Amusement and Music Operators scholarship is awarded to students who are enrolled or plan to enroll at least half-time in a Wisconsin Technical College. Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation, one from a WAMO member and one from an instructor. They also must answer essay questions about their academic history, educational goals, and financial need.
You can learn more about The Wisconsin Agri-Business Association here.
17. The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association
The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association provides two $2,000 scholarships and two $1,000 scholarships to students enrolled in broadcasting-related programs at an institution in Wisconsin. Applicants must have already completed half of their degree requirements and must submit their official transcript, two letters of recommendation, and an essay explaining how they will contribute to the broadcasting industry.
You can learn more about The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association here.
18. The Wisconsin Women in Government Scholarship
Wisconsin Women in Government provides scholarships up to $3,000 to female residents of Wisconsin, who are enrolled as an undergraduate at a University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Technical College, or a private institution. Applicants should have an interest in public service or government and have a minimum GPA of a C. To apply, students must submit their transcript, two letters of recommendation, and a letter from their school’s financial aid office confirming their financial need.
You can learn more about The Wisconsin Women in Government Scholarship here.
19. The American Occupational Therapy Association
The American Occupational Therapy Association provides a scholarship to a Wisconsin resident who is enrolled in an occupational therapy program and has completed at least one year of coursework. Applicants must have a strong academic history and be a member of the Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association. The scholarship amount varies yearly.
You can learn more about The American Occupational Therapy Association here.
20. The Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Scholarship
The Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior who is planning to pursue a degree related to agriculture, including veterinary medicine, biotechnology, and environmental science. Applicants must live within 150 miles of Green Bay, Wisconsin. The scholarship is worth $2,000 and can be renewed for up to four years.
You can learn more about The Thomas H. Lutsey-Waseda Scholarship here.
21. The Wisconsin Towns Association
The Wisconsin Towns Association provides several $1,000 scholarships to students graduating from a Wisconsin public or private high school and planning to attend a college, university, or technical institute in Wisconsin. The recipients are chosen based on their response to an essay question. The scholarship committee judges the articles on their creativity, subject matter, and spelling and grammar.
You can learn more about The Wisconsin Towns Association here.
22. The Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin
The Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin organization provides a $2,000 scholarship to a graduating high school senior who plans to study insurance or a related field. Applicants must be sponsored by a PIAW member; a list of PIAW members is available on their website. To apply, students must submit an essay about their post-graduation career plans.
You can learn more about The Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin here.
23. The Women’s Care of Wisconsin Scholarship
The Women’s Care of Wisconsin organization provides a $1,000 scholarship for a student graduating from Neenah, Appleton, Oshkosh, or Waupaca high school. Applicants must be planning to pursue a medical degree and have a minimum GPA of 3.5. To apply, students must submit their transcript, two letters of recommendation, a list of extracurricular activities, and response to an essay question about why they chose to pursue a career in the medical field.
You can learn more about The Women’s Care of Wisconsin Scholarship here.
24. The Jean Kolodzik Memorial Scholarship
The Winnebago Community Credit Union awards the Jean B. Kolodzik Scholarship to a graduating high school senior who is a WCCU member or the child of a WCCU member. Applicants must be planning to attend a college, university, or technical institution. They also must provide two letters of recommendation and an answer to an essay question. WCCU awards one $1,500 scholarship per year.
You can learn more about The Jean Kolodzik Memorial Scholarship here.
25. The Badger Mining Corporation Scholarships
Badger Mining Corporation awards several scholarships to students graduating from Green Lake, Princeton, or Markesan High Schools, who plan to pursue a degree in environmental science or mining engineering. Applicants must have a strong academic history, be involved in extracurricular activities, and have leadership qualities. The scholarship amounts vary but have a maximum amount of $10,000.
You can learn more about The Badger Mining Corporation Scholarships here.
26. The Winnebago County Board Scholarship
The Winnebago County Board Scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors in Winnebago County who plan to attend a college or university. To apply, students must have a GPA of at least 2.5 and write a 500-800 word essay explaining which position they would run for if they ran for Winnebago County office. The Board awards several $1,000 scholarships each year.
You can learn more about The Winnebago County Board Scholarship here.
27. The Menasha Utilities Scholarship
Menasha Utilities provides a $1,500 scholarship to a graduating high school senior whose parents are Menasha Utility customers or reside in the city of Menasha. Applicants must be planning to attend a college, university, or technical school. The scholarship recipient is chosen based on academic history, extracurricular involvement, community service, educational goals, and financial need.
You can learn more about The Menasha Utilities Scholarship here.
28. The John Aman Memorial Scholarship
The Unison Credit Union John Aman Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a Wisconsin student who is a member of the credit union or is the child of a member. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors who plan to attend a college, university, or technical school. The recipient is chosen based on their community service and volunteerism, academic history, employment, and extracurricular activities. The scholarship amount varies yearly.
You can learn more about The John Aman Memorial Scholarship here.
29. The Wisconsin Electric Security Association Scholarship
The Wisconsin Electric Security Association provides two $1,500 scholarships for graduating high school seniors. One scholarship is awarded to the child of an active-duty member of a Wisconsin police department, and the other is awarded to the child of an active-duty Wisconsin fire department member. Applicants must submit their high school transcript, SAT or ACT scores, a resume, and an essay. One of the recipients will be entered into a national scholarship competition.
You can learn more about The Wisconsin Electric Security Association Scholarship here.
30. The UW Credit Union Community Values Scholarship
UW Credit Union provides seven $2,000 Wisconsin scholarships to students graduating from eligible high schools who plan to attend a University of Wisconsin school. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, volunteer in their community, and have financial need. To apply, students must submit their resume and an essay describing their most meaningful contributions to their community.
You can learn more about The UW Credit Union Community Values Scholarship here.
31. The Wisconsin Cattlemen’s and Cattlewomen’s Scholarship
The Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Scholarship is awarded to graduating Wisconsin high school seniors who plan to attend any college, university, or technical institution in the United States. Applicants must have a background in the veal, beef, or dairy industries. Preference is given to those majoring in a field related to agriculture, those planning to attend a Wisconsin school, and children and grandchildren of WCA members. The organization awards several $500 scholarships yearly.
You can learn more about The Wisconsin Cattlemen’s and Cattlewomen’s Scholarship here.
32. The Richard V. Gustafson Memorial Scholarship
The Richard V. Gustafson Scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior from Appleton East, Appleton West, Appleton North, or Menasha High Schools who plan to major in a human services field such as social work or nonprofit. Eligibility is based on GPA, which must be at least 3.0, and history of volunteerism. The scholarship is worth $1,000 and is renewable for up to four years.
You can learn more about The Richard V. Gustafson Memorial Scholarship here.
33. The Arne Engebretsen Memorial Scholarship
The Wisconsin Mathematics Education Foundation awards the Arne Engebretsen Memorial Scholarship to a graduating Wisconsin high school senior who plans to study mathematics at a college or university with the goal of becoming a K-12 educator. Applicants must submit their high school transcript, a letter of recommendation from a mathematics instructor, a resume, and response to several essay questions. The scholarship is worth $2,000.
You can learn more about The Arne Engebretsen Memorial Scholarship here.
34. Removed by editor
35. The Wisconsin Professional Police Association Scholarship Program
The WPPA awards scholarships to Wisconsin students enrolling a college, university, or technical school to study police science, criminal justice, or a related law enforcement field. Applicants must submit their high school or college transcript, three letters of recommendation, proof of enrollment in a college or university, and an essay explaining why they chose to pursue a law enforcement career. The scholarship committee determines the number of winners and the monetary amount each year.
You can learn more about The Wisconsin Professional Police Association Scholarship Program here.
Related Resource: Colleges With Full Ride Scholarships