The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is continuing the Milwaukee Tuition Promise for Fall 2025 incoming UWM students. The program ensures that eligible students can meet the full cost of tuition for up to four years.
“UWM understands how critical it is for all students to have access to a life-changing college degree, especially students and families with challenging economic circumstances,” UWM Chancellor Mark Mone said. “We are proud to make the Milwaukee Tuition Promise available again so that more students can achieve their educational dreams. This investment in our students will pay dividends in their lives and in the broader Milwaukee community.”
The Milwaukee Tuition Promise program will assist students whose families earn less than $62,000 annually or independent students who earn less than $31,000 per year. It will be structured to provide “last dollar” financial aid after federal and state grants, covering tuition for the fall and spring semesters. The program could support more than 1,000 students for four years at UWM. UWM plans to use a combination of operating budget and gift funds to pay the expenses for the Fall 2025 Milwaukee Tuition Promise cohort, while continuing to seek additional philanthropic and other funding sources to continue this and other important financial aid programs for future cohorts.
“The Milwaukee Tuition Promise can be the deciding factor in someone attending or not attending college, and that’s why it’s so important,” said Kay Eilers, UWM associate vice chancellor for enrollment management. “One of UWM’s missions is making higher education accessible to all, and continuing this program means more opportunities for Wisconsin students.”
Students must attend full-time, be Wisconsin residents, and be first-time bachelor’s or associate degree-seeking students (including first-time transfers). Students must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and meet other criteria to qualify.
Beginning in August, rising high school seniors across Wisconsin will be applying for college admission for the Fall 2025 semester. Prospective students are often concerned about the cost of college tuition and fees.
The program aims to increase the number of Wisconsin residents who graduate with a bachelor’s degree – especially first-generation students and those from households with low to moderate incomes. This will improve lives and help meet the state’s workforce needs.
UWM graduates more than 5,000 students each year, with more than 80% of UWM graduates remaining in Wisconsin to join the workforce and raise their families. UWM graduates enter high-need fields such as education, health care, STEM and business. The hands-on experience they gain during college means they graduate ready to hit the ground running.
Find more information on what is and isn’t covered in the Milwaukee program, as well as eligibility requirements, at the Milwaukee Tuition Promise webpage.
