Funding Your Education
If you are concerned with how to pay for your FISC experience, we can help!
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) manages FISC’s robust scholarship program. Funding opportunities have been provided by generous donors who are interested in assisting FISC students with their educational goals and career aspirations.
Type of Support: varied scholarship amounts, can be applied towards tuition and fees
Who’s Eligible:
- Everyone
- Only requirement is to complete the application
How to Apply: After submitting your FISC program application, you’ll receive information on how to apply for these opportunities.
Type of Support: Scholarship, pays 100% of tuition and fees.
Who’s Eligible: Wisconsin residents with Household Adjusted Gross Income of $60,000 or less OR have received federal benefits (e.g. SNAP, School Lunch, MEDICAID/SSI, TANF, WIC, USDA Emergency & Disaster Assistance) since 2018.
How to Apply: After submitting your FISC program application, you’ll receive information on how to apply for this opportunity.
We have numerous external options to cover educational costs.
Type of Support: Full-ride scholarship; covers 100% of tuition, housing, and related costs. Students also receive a “wage” for attending courses.
Who’s Eligible:
- Anyone who is eligible to work in the U.S.
- Need to show W-2 from farm work
- Income eligibility
How to Apply: www.umos.org/nfjp-application
Type of Support: 100% Tuition & Fees scholarship
Who’s Eligible:
- Active duty, veterans, reservists, National Guard Members, and dependents
How to Apply: For further information, contact the Office of Veterans Services Office veterans@wisc.edu or (608) 265-4628.
As an accredited college program, FISC students are eligible for many scholarships within the agricultural industry and beyond. Consider the following scholarships available to FISC students:
- Dairy Farmers of Walworth County Scholarship
- DHI Foundation Polk-Burnett Fund Group Scholarship
- East Central/Select Sires
- Wisconsin Holstein Association Scholarship
- WI Governor’s Livestock Association Blue Ribbon Scholarship
- Compeer Financial Scholarship
Students have also found success by approaching organizations in their local area (e.g., Jaycees, Elks, rotary clubs, religious groups, producer organizations). Consider asking your parent or guardian if their employer provides college scholarships and/or grants to their employee’s children.
If you find you need additional funds to cover your cost of your education, internal and external loan options are available to you.
Type of Support: A loan through the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
Who’s Eligible: FISC students who submit a FAFSA and are not recipients of FISC Tuition Promise (FTP) or National Farmworkers Jobs Program (UMOS)
How to Apply: For further information, contact Vera Abing in the Office of Student Financial Aid: vera.abing@wisc.edu or (608) 262-4987.
Type of Support: A six-month, interest free loan of up to $1,500. After six months, interest fees become effective on loan payments. Applicants receive information on loan repayment at the time the loan is approved.
Who’s Eligible: Everyone
How to Apply: Those who intend to make a request for our CALS short-term loan, should email fisc@cals.wisc.edu to initial the process, in addition to basic information, be able to provide the following on the loan application:
- Campus ID
- Social Security Number
- Driver’s License Number
- Two References, including Name, Address, and Occupation
- Source of Repayment
- Employer’s Name and Address, if applicable
Type of Support: A loan through a financial institution such as a bank, credit union, or business.
Who’s Eligible: Everyone
How to Apply: Sallie Mae Smart Options Loan or Sallie Mae Parent Loan found at www.salliemae.com, UW Credit Union private student loan found at www.uwcu.org, or Wells Fargo Collegiate Loan found at www.wellsfargo.com help students secure funds for education. A co-signer will likely be required. We have prepared a letter for your conversation with your lender.