Menu Scholars of Promise empowers income-eligible students to start their higher education journey with strong programs and financial support to reach their academic dreams.
We are happy to have you in the Scholars of Promise Program. To remain a Scholars of Promise student:
1. Stay enrolled in consecutive semesters excluding summers.
- If you must take a semester off, email scholarsofpromise@madisoncollege.edu prior to that semester.
2. Meet with your RISE advisor for enrollment assistance.
- To schedule a phone, video or in-person appointment, download the Madison College Navigate app, email the Student Success Center or call 608.246.6076.
To verify your SoP status, check your student account for a positive HOLD, "Promise Scholar". This means you are active in the program.
Scholars of Promise Funding
We pay tuition not covered by your Financial Aid award. This is called gap tuition. Gap tuition is paid 3-4 weeks after each term starts to ensure enrollment is completed*. If you have no gap tuition, you may not receive tuition assistance.
You can be an SoP student without receiving tuition assistance. However, to stay eligible for future tuition assistance, you must do the following:
- Enroll full-time (12-credits or more) in degree seeking credits for up to 6 consecutive semesters excluding summers
- Maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Meet SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress)
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) each year:
- Attend Financial Aid Workshops for assistance.
- Reach out to SoP Financial Aid Support Staff with questions.
- Alejandra Bridges, Bilingual Financial Aid & Student Support Coordinator abridges2@madisoncollege.edu
*Enrollment must be finished by the end of the second week of each term to be eligible for SoP tuition assistance.
Why did I not receive funding from SoP?
- You did not meet SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress)
- Your GPA is less than a 2.0
- You did not complete the current FAFSA
- You are not enrolled full-time (12+ credits)
- You did not enroll before PRD (Pell Recalculation Date)
- Your tuition was fully covered by your Financial Aid grants, so funding was not needed
- You failed to enroll in pervious semesters.
- Tools for Success
Tools for Success
Make the most of the resources offered by the Scholars of Promise program.
- Read the monthly newsletter
- Check your student email account daily
- Attend semester socials
- Download the Navigate App and connect with your success team
- Meet with your RISE advisor twice per term
- Connect with your Student Success Coach
- Make sure you are planning ahead for your success
- SoP Student Newsletter
The Scholars of Promise Student Newsletter is sent once a month via email. The newsletter provides an overview of opportunities, deadlines, reminders and how to maintain your status in the program. In addition, it will highlight current students that are involved on campus, in clubs, organizations, or sport teams. Check it out for your chance to register for and attend:
- Open House
- Semester Socials
- Finals Week Free Breakfast
- UW-Madison Transfer Events
- Student Panel Volunteers (time is compensated)
- Campus Jobs/SoP Peer Advisor
- RISE
You will be assigned to one or more of the RISE programs to receive access to:
- A dedicated advisor and success coach
- Tutoring
- Mentoring
- Workshops to help you grow personally, professionally, and financially
- Celebration of achievements and completion
Your RISE program will serve as your primary program for academic and transfer advising and help to complete SoP funding requirements.
- Family/Friends Newsletter
Twice each semester, we reach to family and friends of Scholars of Promise students so they can know what is happening with the program. Sign up to:
- Stay connected to your student
- Receive updates on important deadlines
- Learn ways to get involved
- Learn about campus resources
- Have opportunities to attend semester socials
- UW-Madison Promise Programs
Scholars of Promise (SoP) students who are admitted to the University of Wisconsin–Madison are guaranteed to have their tuition and fees covered by a financial aid promise program for up to four years while they complete a bachelor’s degree at UW–Madison. The Office of Admissions and Recruitment and the Office of Student Financial Aid at the UW–Madison offer additional support and resources for Madison College SoP students who are interested in transferring to UW–Madison.
Please subscribe to the Scholars of Promise newsletter to register for events:
- UW-Madison Admission Workshop
- Scholars of Promise Visit Day, at UW-Madison
- UW-Madison Financial Aid Workshop
- Contact information for UW-Madison Staff
- Graduation/Transfer
Are you graduating or transferring?
If you are entering or in your final semester at Madison College, notify the SoP office to receive your program completion package. Items include:
- Personal Letter of Congratulations
- Certificate of Successful Completion
- Graduation Stole
Students that apply and are admitted to the University of Wisconsin-Madison will receive the Promise-to-Promise twisted navy blue and red cord.
Interested in joining Scholars of Promise?
If you meet the following criteria, you may be eligible:
- Are a current graduating high school senior (including students seeking asylum or refugee)
- Are attending high school in the Madison College district or attending online school with a home address in the Madison College district* (includes students participating in the Madison College Gateway to College program)
*verify residency
If you meet this criteria, complete these steps to apply:
- Apply to a financial aid eligible Madison College program.
- Financial Aid eligible program list.
- Madison College program application.
- Activate your student account.
- Complete the Scholars of Promise application.
- Apply between October 1 and April 1.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Madison College school code = 004007.
- You must be eligible for federal Pell grants.
- If you are unable to complete the FAFSA, submit your SoP application anyway. We can discuss alternative options with you.
- Submit your ACT or Accuplacer test scores.
- Madison College ACT Code: 4615.
- Submit a high school transcript showing a cumulative 2.25 GPA or higher after your junior year.
- Check your Madison College email for status updates.
Apply to Scholars of Promise
All application materials are due April 1.
Application decisions are made in early May.
Contact Scholars of Promise staff:
- Shanai Kaashagen, Program Manager kaashagen@madisoncollege.edu
- Brittany Knuteson, Communications Outreach Specialist bknuteson1@madisoncollege.edu
- Alejandra Bridges, Bilingual Financial Aid & Student Support Coordinator abridges2@madisoncollege.edu
Madison, Truax Campus, Main Building, B1200
1701 Wright Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704