Scholarships for Nontraditional UW-Madison Students

Thanks to generous contributions of our donors, the Adult Career and Special Student Services office, UW-Madison Continuing Studies, administers a number of scholarships specifically designed for nontraditional and returning adult students. While the eligibility criteria vary, there are two main categories of scholarship awards:

• Returning Adult Student Scholarships
• Single Parent Scholarships

The application period for all scholarships is December 1–March 1. A single online application can be used to apply for all Adult Career & Special Student Services, Division of Continuing Studies’ administered scholarships. To be eligible, applicants must be degree students at UW-Madison or must have applied to a degree program at UW-Madison (with the expectation of receiving an admission decision by mid-March). To apply for these scholarships, please complete the following two steps:

1) Use the online application to be considered for ACSSS administered scholarships.
NOTE: You will need to complete the online application in one sitting. To help you prepare your responses, we encourage you to first view this pdf “practice” copy of the application.

2) Submit a letter of recommendation in support of this scholarship application. While not required a letter of recommendation will add significantly to your application.  Choose someone who knows your academic potential and who understands the challenges involved in developing that potential.  This could be an instructor, an advisor, a research mentor, an employer, or a member of the community.  Ask your reference to send a letter of recommendation, by U.S. Mail or email directly to:

ACSSS-DCS Scholarship Committee
21 North Park Street, Suite 7101
Madison, WI 53715
advising@dcs.wisc.edu

For questions, please contact ACSSS at 608-263-6960 or advising@dcs.wisc.edu.

Details on specific scholarships follow.

 

Returning Adult Student Scholarships

Returning Adult Student Scholarships are available for newly admitted or currently enrolled UW-Madison undergraduate, graduate, or professional students who are returning to school after a break.

Alma Baron Second Chance for Women

Criteria:

• Woman, 45 years or older
• Recently admitted or continuing UW-Madison student in good academic standing
• Proof of financial need
• U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen or permanent resident
• Evidence of probable academic success, based on her experience within the past five years

Osher Reentry Scholarship

More information on Osher awards

Criteria:

• Have experienced a cumulative gap in education of five or more years
• Are at the undergraduate level and pursuing a first baccalaureate degree
• Anticipate workforce participation for a significant period of time subsequent to graduation and are ideally between the ages of 25-50
• Demonstrate financial need
• Show academic promise and a commitment to obtaining the degree
• Are either full- or part-time students

PLATO Scholarships

Historically, PLATO Scholarships have supported the degree completion goals of single parents whose family commitments presented unique challenges to their academic progress.  Beginning in 2013, PLATO will extend its support not only to single parents but also to other nontraditional students who are striving to complete their UW-Madison degrees. 

Criteria:

• Nontraditional adult student pursuing a UW-Madison degree program as an undergraduate student, graduate student, or candidate for a professional degree 
• Significant financial need
• U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen or permanent resident
• Strong potential for academic success
• Minimum enrollment to be determined by scholarship award 

Stuart Daily Seeds of Learning Fund

To support a returning adult graduate student, Karen Doefer Daily established the Stuart Daily Seeds of Learning Fund in 2004 to honor the memory of Stuart G. Daily, a teacher of much, to many.  His most valuable asset was his knowledge, and he encouraged others in their quest for knowledge. 

Criteria:

• Recently admitted or continuing UW-Madison graduate student in good academic standing
• Proof of financial need
• U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen or permanent resident
• Evidence of probable academic success, based on experience within the last five years
• Enrolled in a minimum of six graduate credits each semester

Bernice D. Kuney Scholarship 

The Bernice D. Kuney Scholarship was established in 1989 with a gift from Edith Martindale to honor her mentor, Bernice Kuney.  Ms. Kuney taught English for forty years at UW Extension, serving adults returning to college for degree work or professional development.  This scholarship is available to both new and continuing students. 

Criteria:

• Returning adult student with a commitment to learning and the potential for academic success
• Preference for a returning adult student who has experienced a significant gap in their education (e.g., 5 years)
• Recently admitted or continuing UW-Madison student at any level (undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree student)
• Proof of financial need
• U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen or permanent resident

Single Parent Scholarships

Single Parent Scholarships are available for newly admitted or currently enrolled UW-Madison undergraduate, graduate or professional students who are single parents.

Criteria:

• Single-parent students
• Head of household (or primary economic supporter) as defined by the IRS
• Recently admitted or continuing UW-Madison student in good academic standing (undergraduate, graduate, or professional)
• Proof of financial need
• U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen or permanent resident
• Evidence of probable academic success
• Enrolled in a minimum of nine undergraduate credits or six graduate credits (three for dissertators) each semester

Single Parent Scholarships are supported by The Professor Nancy W. Denney Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Evjue Foundation Inc. the charitable arm of the Capital Times, the AAUW-Madison Branch, The University League, Inc., The Joe Corry and Barbara Weston Corry Scholarship Fund, and other private donors.