Accelerated Learning Program (ALP)

We are pleased to offer full and partial scholarships to students who participate in the Accelerated Learning Program on a first-come, first-served basis. Please review the information below to see if you qualify. At this time no scholarship assistance is available to international students. Funds available for scholarships are limited and are distributed throughout the month of January-March on a rolling basis.

Prior to applying, a student may request a waiver for the application fee in writing to info@precollege.wisc.edu.

All materials supporting your application for scholarship assistance must be submitted with your application or received within two weeks of program application submission. Documents not included on the application can be sent to info@precollege.wisc.edu. Application for scholarships should be received no later than  April 1st, 2026.  We encourage you to submit scholarship information early to maximize your chances of receiving aid. Please note that scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, and funds may run out before the deadline.

Please visit our financial information page for more information and to review the full scholarship policy.

Scholarship Application Process

Full Scholarship: Available to WI Residents Only

To qualify for a full scholarship you must:

• Receive free or reduced lunch in the state of Wisconsin during the current school year
• Upload a Badger Precollege Scholarship Form to your online program application or to ALP@precollege.wisc.edu with your school’s Authorized Representative signature (ex: Food Service Director, Principal, Counselor) and the checkbox verifying your free-reduced lunch status.

If you don’t qualify for a full scholarship or are not a resident of Wisconsin, you may qualify for a partial scholarship of up to 50% of the tuition cost.

Partial Scholarships:

To qualify for a partial scholarship you must:

•  Provide an alternative document verifying income. For domestic students the recommended alternative is to submit the first page of the U.S.  1040 Tax Form of the most recent year’s tax return. For international students, please submit the first page of the Income Tax Report of the most recent year’s taxes.  For security purposes, all personal information like  Social Security or other identity numbers should be redacted before submitting the form. If extenuating circumstances (i.e. loans, loss of employment) are not reflected on tax return but are impacting your family’s finances, please also submit your financial need story.

Additional information (essay, interview, phone conversation, etc.) may be requested from students and/or families prior to notification of aid.

Notification of Aid

 Families will be notified of decisions via email. Badger Precollege is committed to making an allocation of financial aid funds to allow the largest possible number of students to attend our programs. Families will be required to submit their intent to accept financial aid. Failure to do so by the deadline posted in your award letter may result in a loss of partial or full aid award.

Living in community on the UW Madison campus is a unique experience, and our staff seeks to give our students the tools necessary to thrive in this environment.  For most students, living in the dorm community is a first for them, but our staff are experts on making sure everyone learns the ropes and can live a comfortable two weeks with us.  The goal is not just to have students as guests during ALP, but to invite them in to be included in our robust community where learning is priority, not just in the classroom, but in ways of exploring new cultures, ways of life, and perspectives.

Housing and Meals

Residential student tuition covers full room and board during our students’ stay.  This includes a dorm room furnished with a bed, desk, and closet space.  Restrooms are communal, but still give a private experience.  Showers are behind multiple curtains, but be sure to bring a shower caddy or shower shoes for an extra sense of clean. Students will have access to building common spaces, which normally consist of a kitchen, activity spaces, and lounges. Meals take place at Four Lakes Dining Hall in the Dejope Residence Hall and is a buffet style cafeteria with numerous stations. More information on the meal options can be found here.  You are also able to pick up snacks at Flamingo Run, a convenience store located inside Dejope Hall. 

Activities

 ALP prides itself on being a fun program.  Students will often have the option for free time to recharge or do their own activities, but every night something will be happening that we encourage students to try out.  There are regular offerings of competitions and games, as well as sporting activities that often utilize campus gyms or fields.  There are numerous field trips that happen around town, including watching the stars on Observatory Hill, going to take pictures in front of the capitol building, or taking the short walk over to Allen Centennial Gardens.  We also offer many artistic activities, and there is also a space for spontaneous art, dorm decorating, or making a team flag for an upcoming competition.  Most events will be optional, but there are some ‘Mandatory Fun’ activities included to support in community building and invite students into the ALP flagship traditions.

Weekends

We all enjoy a little extra time to sleep in on the weekends and at Badger Precollege we make sure to factor it into the schedule! On weekends students have more time to explore other parts of campus and Madison often through staff-led excursions. This could include opportunities to kayak, shop, take an art-making class on campus, play a game of pick-up ball, and much much more. Longer periods of time for activities and exploration give students the opportunity to socialize with others through staff-led activities, or do some self-exploration as well.

Over the weekend, we a offer day trip for students to experience things like the Milwaukee Zoo and a Milwaukee Brewer’s game; one of the amazing waterparks in the Wisconsin Dells; aquarium and museum visits, and shopping in Downtown Chicago. The trip is optional and students can sign-up to participate at an added cost once admitted into the program. More information about this summer’s weekend trips will be provided after admission to the program has been determined.

Getting to the program

All international students should arrive to Madison, WI one day prior to the official program start date. For ALP, this will be on Saturday, June 27th. The purpose of this is so Badger Precollege can facilitate an International Student Orientation on Sunday morning before the remaining participants arrive. After acceptance, the Badger Precollege team will provide students with additional information regarding the best airports to utilize, timeframes for arrival, and opportunities for shuttles. All housing and meals are included in the tuition costs.

Travel requirements and visas

The University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) have determined that summer programs offered by Badger Precollege serving precollege students at UW–Madison are programs that require a B-1 or B-2 visitor visa for any non-U.S. citizen or non-permanent resident.

The B-2 visa is for individuals traveling to the U.S. for: Tourism, Visiting family or friends, Receiving medical treatment, or Participating in social or recreational events. It does not permit employment or long-term study.

As of 2025, B-2 tourist visa applicants to the United States face stricter screening, higher fees, and earlier application deadlines. These updates are designed to improve security and reduce processing delays.

To qualify for a B-2 visa, applicants must:

1. Have a clear and temporary purpose for visiting.
2. Show financial ability to cover their trip.
3. Prove intent to return to their home country after the visit.

Application Process

1. Complete Form DS-160 online.
2. Pay the visa fee.
3. Schedule an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
4. Attend the interview with appropriate documentation:
   1. Valid passport DS-160 confirmation page
   2. Visa fee receipt
   3. Supporting documents (e.g., travel itinerary, financial proof, ties to home country)

International student applicants are strongly encouraged to bring their program admission letter, among other supporting documents, to their visa interview at the U.S. Embassy. The process of obtaining visa and travel documents is the responsibility of the student applicant. The University of Wisconsin–Madison cannot advise students on visa procedures or eligibility. For more information about the application and required travel documents, view the B-1 or B-2 VISA Form, contact the Badger Precollege office or visit the U.S. State Department website.

Cancelations and Refunds

Badger Precollege reserves the right to cancel classes when necessary, including those for which enrollment numbers are not sufficient, or those for which a highly qualified instructor is unavailable. In the case of course cancellations, we will be happy to help you choose an alternative course. If no acceptable alternative is available, we will refund any tuition paid, minus any non-refundable application fees. We will also work with families to process refunds in the case of student illness or injury.

Refunds may take up to eight weeks to process, starting from the time a written request is received by the Badger Precollege office.

To view the full refund policy and other financial policies, please visit our financial information page.