UW-River Falls Announces Scholarship Guarantee Program

October 1, 2015--In an effort to help students access excellent, high-quality education at an affordable price, UW-River Falls announced today a new Scholarship Guarantee program. The program, aimed at providing financial support for qualified incoming freshmen regardless of their financial need, will offer a guaranteed scholarship to students who meet specific academic achievement criteria beginning with the fall 2016 semester.

The Scholarship Guarantee program will automatically award scholarship funds to incoming freshmen with high academic potential to assist with their UWRF educational expenses. Students with a 22 ACT or higher who rank in the top 40 percent of their class will be guaranteed a $1,000 scholarship their first year. Students with a 25 ACT score or better who rank in the top 25 percent of their class will be awarded $2,000. This award can be renewed for a second year, totaling $4,000 in scholarship assistance.

UW-River Falls already boasts one of the lowest tuition rates in the UW System and is committed to keeping expenses for students, many of whom are first-generation college students, as low as possible while still offering in-demand academic programs, hands-on learning, engaged faculty and small class sizes. Combined with cost-saving features already in place, including textbook rentals and frozen tuition for an additional two years, the Scholarship Guarantee program will make UW-River Falls an affordable choice for students and their families. This new investment in scholarships will lessen the financial burden on students who attend UWRF while maximizing their lifetime career potential.

“This bold new scholarship program is a strategic investment in the future of students, as well as a demonstration of our commitment to providing a high-quality education at a great value,” said UW-River Falls Chancellor Dean Van Galen.

Financial need is not a criteria for the Scholarship Guarantee program and all scholarships awarded will be automatically applied toward a students’ tuition once they have been admitted to the university. Details about the program are available here.

Altogether, during the 2016-2017 school year, UW-River Falls will award over $1 million in scholarship money. The Scholarship Guarantee joins existing successful scholarship programs including Falcon Scholars, which awards $6,000 over four years to 80 incoming freshmen. These programs highlight the university’s commitment to student success, particularly for students who have shown academic promise during their high school careers. Additional need-based and merit-based scholarships will continue to be available to incoming freshmen. Information about scholarships requiring applications can be found here.

For more information about the Scholarship Guarantee program, contact Beth Schommer at beth.schommer@uwrf.edu or call 715-425-0662.