Paying for Precollege programs
Scholarship applications open when program applications open.
Each UW–Madison Precollege program sets tuition based on program costs and sponsorships. Program-specific details about fees and payment are found on their respective pages.
GEM tuition payments
GEM program fees are due at the time of registration.
Middle & High School Programs
After you have been accepted into your program, a tuition balance will be added to your registration account. You may log on and pay at any time after acceptance. You will also receive a bill and instructions on how to pay for any remaining amounts ahead of each tuition deadline.
- PACE payments are all due by May 15, 2025
- Summer Music Clinic payments are due by June 1, 2025
- For all other middle and high school programs, the first half of tuition is due on May 15, 2025 and the second half of tuition is due on June 1, 2025
All programs have a non-refundable application or registration fee. These fees cover charges incurred at the time of registration, customer service, application review, and administrative costs during the program planning period.
Be advised that submitting scholarship applications documents within the program application or sooner than two weeks after you submit your application increases your likelihood of receiving a timely admissions and scholarship fund decision.
At a glance
2025 Tuition & fees
Nonrefundable application fees.
Program deposits and other payments for summer programs are made through the registration system or after being invoiced.
application deadline – March 24, 2025
Scholarships cannot be allocated to students who have not been admitted to a program.* As such, a student’s program application (including application fee and supporting documentation) must be completed by the scholarship deadline.
Be prepared
Prepare to submit your DPI or alternative scholarship support forms as a part of the application or registration process.
international students
International students can apply for Wisconsin International Precollege Academy scholarships.
Notification of aid
Families will be notified of scholarship decisions prior to the first tuition payment due date.
Refund policy
All program application fees are nonrefundable. Refunds may take up to eight weeks to process, starting from the time a written request is received by Badger Precollege, including Summer Music Clinic.
The following refund policy information is applicable to all Badger Precollege summer programs. For refund information specific to the College Ready program, please visit College Ready @ Badger Precollege.
All program applications must be accompanied by the nonrefundable registration fee before they can be processed.
| Timeframe | Refund details |
|---|---|
| From the time of registration up to one month before program start | Badger Precollege keeps 0% of program fees, but retains any applicable program deposits and application fee. *** |
| From one month before program start to two weeks before program start | Badger Precollege keeps 10% of the program fees paid, any applicable program deposits and the nonrefundable application fee. |
| From two weeks before program start to day before program start | Badger Precollege keeps 20% of the program fees paid, any applicable program deposits and the nonrefundable application fee. |
| From first day of program to any time after program start | No refund Students dismissed for disciplinary reasons are not eligible for any refund. Students who voluntarily leave while the program is in session are not eligible for any refund. |
Updated 12.17.2024
Nonrefundable fees and cancellations
*Application/registration fees: cover registration/application fees, customer service, application review, and administrative costs during this program planning period.
**Program fees/ Course Deposit: secures your spot in the program/course and covers any initial costs incurred during program planning related to: class supplies, books, transportation, risk management fees, University Health Services fees, registration fees, and administrative, staff, and curriculum development.
Course deposits only apply to select programs/courses
*** 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 following cases, Badger Precollege will consider a full refund of any program fees minus the application fee: a course of choice is cancelled, all course choices are closed, scholarship offer doesn’t cover enough, or in case of student injury or illness.
Scholarship Policies
Badger Precollege has varied funds to provide assistance to Wisconsin youth who demonstrate financial need. Applications for scholarships will be reviewed by the Badger Precollege Scholarship Committee. Funds available for scholarships are limited and are distributed throughout the month of January-March on a rolling basis. All requests will be answered and maintained confidentially. The Badger Precollege scholarship committee is committed to making an allocation of scholarship funds to allow the largest possible number of students to receive the necessary financial support to attend our programs.
The process of scholarship application process is in tandem with the overall application process and varies based on the Badger Precollege program that student is applying for. Individual policies for each program will be shared on that specific program website. Scholarships cannot be allocated to students who have not been admitted to a program. As such, a student’s program application (including application fee and supporting documentation, such as their grade report, etc.) must be completed by the scholarship deadline. Prior to applying, a student may request a waiver for the application fee.
All materials supporting your application for scholarship assistance and program registration must be received within two weeks of program application but no later than March 24, 2025.
- Scholarship assistance is available primarily for Wisconsin students.
- Limited financial assistance up to 50% of total tuition costs is available for out of state students.
- There is no support for international participants unless it is written in a specific program as a requirement. For info on WIPA scholarship, go here.
- Consideration of Aid Aid is determined by analyzing family income and extenuating economic circumstances according to the Income Eligibility Guidelines used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s School Lunch Program.
- Students who qualify for free/reduced lunch in schools should fill out DPI Student Scholarship Form signed by family and school contact verifying eligibility and be ready to submit it during the process of program application.
- If you are not eligible for free or reduced lunch, Badger Precollege offers a very limited number of need-based, partial scholarships. To apply for a need-based, partial scholarship, please be ready to submit the first page of the 1040 form of the most recent year’s tax return. If extenuating circumstances (i.e. loans, loss of employment) are not reflected on tax return but are affecting your family’s finances, you may be also asked to also submit a cover letter detailing more detailed explanation of the request.
- Depending on availability, students are eligible for up to three scholarships per year to attend Badger Precollege Programs.
- For multi-session programs, scholarships are limited to one week-long session per student per program (for example PACE runs three one–week sessions. One student can request financial aid for a maximum of one of the three sessions running in July 2025. The same student can still apply for financial aid for other Badger Precollege middle school programs like STEP or SMC Junior)
- Applicants should also inquire about local financial support through their schools, businesses, service organizations, etc. to see if local monies are available for program costs.
- All materials supporting your application must be received no later than March 24, 2025.
- Scholarships cannot be allocated to students who have not submitted full application and scholarship package to a program. As such, a student’s program application (including application fee and supporting documentation such as their grade report, etc.) as well all the required documents for financial aid application (I.e. DPI scholarship form, tax information, cover letter, etc.) must be completely submitted in order for the application to be considered ready for review.
- Program application materials can still be submitted after the financial aid deadline, but the student will not be eligible for aid through Badger Precollege.
- Applicants will be notified of awards within three weeks after submission of full application and scholarship supporting documents.
- Families will be required to submit their intent to accept scholarship support. Failure to do so by the deadline posted in your award letter may result in a loss of partial or full aid award.
- Available funds for scholarship assistance vary from year to year, and past aid awards may not be an indication of current available support.
- Additional information (essay, interview, phone conversation, etc.) may be requested from students and/or families prior to notification of aid.