Paying for Precollege programs
Scholarship applications open when program applications open.
Badger Precollege has varied funds to provide assistance to Wisconsin youth who demonstrate financial need. Applications will be review by the Badger Precollege scholarship committee. All requests will be answered and maintained in confidentiality. The Badger Precollege scholarship committee is committed to making an allocation of scholarship funds to allow the largest possible number of students to receive necessary financial support to attend our programs.
Acceptance to the program and scholarship allocation are two different parallel processes. Submission of the program application or program acceptance does not guarantee a scholarship. All materials supporting your application for scholarship assistance and program registration must be received no later than April 1.
Additional application process things to keep in mind:
- 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.
- Depending on availability, students are eligible for up to two scholarships per year to attend Badger Precollege Programs.
- Applicants can also seek financial support through their schools, local businesses, community service organizations, etc. to see if local monies are available to support local students in these programs.
- Program application materials can still be submitted after the financial aid deadline, but students will not be eligible for aid through Badger Precollege.
- Families are 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.
Financial information at a glance
application deadline – April 1, 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.
2025 Tuition & fees
Nonrefundable application fees.
Payment for summer programs are made through the registration system.
Consideration
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.
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.
Tuition
Each UW–Madison Precollege program sets tuition based on program costs and sponsorships. Program-specific details 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, 2024
- Summer Music Clinic payments are due by June 1, 2024
- For all other middle and high school programs, the first half of tuition is due on May 15, 2024 and the second half of tuition is due on June 1, 2024
Special rates
Multi-session discounts
Multi-session registration discounts are available for GEM and PACE programs. If a student registers for both GEM sessions, they will receive a $20 discount off the total tuition cost. If a student registers for two or more PACE sessions, they will receive a $30 discount off the total tuition cost.
Early bird rates for ALP, Badger Summer Scholars and STEP
Submit your completed application early (accompanied by the application fee) to receive 5% off your total tuition cost. The balance of your tuition will be due by the tuition deadlines, only the application fee is due at registration. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to not only save money but ensure the best course selection as well!
Applying for scholarships
GEM programs
- If you are applying for Growing Early Minds (GEM), please print and submit the GEM scholarship application.
- If you are eligible for free or reduced lunch at school, please also complete section 2 of the GEM scholarship application.
- You will need to have a school administrator sign the section, so please plan ahead and make sure to have the form signed before returning it to Badger Precollege.
PACE and residential programs
- To support as many students as possible with limited funds, students applying for PACE financial aid can get support for up to two out of three one-week sessions of PACE.
- Middle and high school residential programs include: Summer Music Clinics, STEP, ALP and Badger Summer Scholars
- If you are eligible for free or reduced lunch, please print and submit the Wisconsin DPI Financial Aid Form.
- 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 submit the first page of your 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, please also submit a letter of explanation.
Refund policy
The $75 processing fee is 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 registration up to one month prior to the first day of the program | 100% refund Full refund will also be issued in the following cases regardless of date: – A course of choice is canceled – All course choices are closed – Financial aid doesn’t cover enough – Student injury or illness |
| From one month prior to the first day of the program to two weeks before program start | 90% refund Nonrefundable 10% covers class supplies, books, transportation and administrative and teacher salary costs during this period of program preparation |
| From two weeks before program start to day before program start | 80% refund Nonrefundable 20% covers risk management fees, University Health Services fees, class supplies, books, transportation, as well as administrative and teacher salary costs during this period of program planning |
| 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. |
Cancellation policy
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 or deposits.