Paying for Precollege programs
Each UW–Madison Precollege program sets program fees based on program costs and sponsorships. Program-specific details about fees and payment are found on their respective pages. Information below about the payment process, scholarship, and refunds is specific to Badger Precollege summer programs.
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.
Prior to each program fee deadline, you will receive a bill and instructions on how to pay for any remaining amounts.
- PACE payments are all due by May 15, 2026
- Summer Music Clinic and Summer Arts Clinic payments are due by June 1, 2026
- For other summer programs, the first half of the program fees is due on May 15, 2026 and the second half is due on June 1, 2026
If you are an outside organization or partner and wish to make a program fee payment for your student(s), please contact the program email or the Badger Precollege office at info@precollege.wisc.edu for direct payment instructions.
At a glance
2026 Program fees
Nonrefundable application fees.
Program fees and other payments for summer programs are made through the registration system or after being invoiced.
application deadline – April 1, 2026*
The program registration or application (including application fee and any applicable supporting documentation) must be completed by the scholarship deadline.
international students
International students can only apply for Wisconsin International Precollege Academy scholarships.
Notification of scholarship award
Families will be notified of scholarship decisions prior to the first program fee payment due date.
Refund policy
All program registration/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.
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 registrations/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 registration/application fees. ** |
| From one month before program start to two weeks before program start | Badger Precollege keeps 10% of the program fees paid and the nonrefundable registration/application fees. |
| From two weeks before program start to day before program start | Badger Precollege keeps 20% of the program fees paid and the nonrefundable registration/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 12.19.2025
Nonrefundable fees and cancellations
*Registration/application fees: cover registration/application fees, customer service, application review or processing, and administrative costs during this program planning period.
** 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 registration/application fee: (1) a course of choice is cancelled, (2) all course choices are closed, (3) scholarship offer doesn’t cover enough, or (4) in case of student injury or illness.
Scholarship Policies
Badger Precollege has varied funds to provide assistance to Wisconsin youth who demonstrate financial need. Funds available for scholarships are limited and are distributed based on individual program policies. We encourage you to submit scholarship information early. Available funds for scholarship awards vary from year to year, and past scholarship awards may not be an indication of current available support. Applicants should also inquire about local financial support through their schools, businesses, service organizations, etc. to see if local money is available for program costs.
Please note: We advise you to visit your program webpage and review scholarship information listed there to ensure you are completing the program-specific process.
- Applications for scholarships will be reviewed by the Badger Precollege Scholarship Committee.
- 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.
- Consideration of scholarship assistance is determined by analyzing family income and extenuating economic circumstances with guidance from the Income Eligibility Guidelines used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s School Lunch Program.
- The scholarship application process is in tandem with the overall registration/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.
- 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 a scholarship for a maximum of one of the three sessions running in the same summer season. The same student can still apply for scholarships for other Badger Precollege middle school programs like STEP or SMC Junior)
- Full Scholarship awards are available primarily for Wisconsin students.
- Limited scholarship awards up to 50% of total tuition costs are available for out-of-state students.
- The only support for international participants is for the WIPA Program or SIL Program. Please visit the International page for more scholarship information.
- All materials supporting your scholarship application must be received no later than April 1, 2026.
- 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.
- Additional information (essay, interview, phone conversation, etc.) may be requested from students and/or families prior to notification of aid.
- If you receive a scholarship for the program to which you have registered/applied, you will receive an invoice after the scholarship award amount is applied. If you receive a partial scholarship for your program, then you are responsible for paying the remaining balance.
scholarshipprocess
Scholarship Application Process
For students ELIGIBLE for free or reduced lunch in Wisconsin schools:
Step 1: Register or apply using the links found on individual program webpages
Step 2: Complete The BPC Scholarship Form signed by family and school contact verifying eligibility.
Step 3: Submit the completed scholarship form to Badger Precollege.
Step 4: If you receive a scholarship, complete the scholarship award acceptance survey upon receiving your award letter.
For students NOT ELIGIBLE for free or reduced lunch in Wisconsin schools:
Step 1: Register or apply using the links found on individual program webpages
Step 2: Submit the FIRST PAGE of the 1040 form of the most recent year’s tax return.
For security purposes, all personal information like Social Security Numbers or other identity markers should be redacted before submitting the form.
If extenuating circumstances (i.e. loans, loss of employment) are not reflected on the tax return but are affecting your family’s finances, you may be also asked to also submit a cover letter providing a more detailed explanation of the request.
Step 3: If you receive a scholarship, complete the scholarship award acceptance survey upon receiving your award letter.
All scholarship application forms can be submitted to Badger Precollege via email or mail:
- For Summer Music Clinic, submit to: smc@wisc.edu.
- For all other programs, submit to: info@precollege.wisc.edu
- Mailing address: Badger Precollege, 21 N. Park Street 7th floor, Madison, WI, 53715
Please remember: This page is the general overview of Badger Precollege programming and you are advised to visit your program’s webpage to find more specific information on program fees, payment, and scholarships.