UW-River Falls to award $2.5 million in scholarships

Students walk into the UW-River Falls University Center during Orientation in August 2025.

UW-River Falls to award $2.5 million in scholarships 

March 16, 2026 – The University of Wisconsin-River Falls expects to award approximately $2.5 million in scholarships in 2026-2027, helping more than 1,400 undergraduate students pay for college. 65% of undergraduate students at UWRF receive some kind of financial aid.  

“The UWRF value means we are committed to delivering an exceptional education that remains truly affordable,” said Cindy Holbrook, executive director of enrollment and student success. “We’re proud to support our students with more than 800 merit- and need-based scholarships designed to help make their academic goals attainable.”  

Among the scholarship opportunities at UWRF are the Falcons SOAR guaranteed scholarships for incoming students who earn a GPA of 3.3 or above.  

Guaranteed scholarships at UWRF include:  

  • First Year Students: 3.3 GPA-$1,000; 3.75 GPA-$1,500; 4.0 GPA-$2,000 
  • Transfer Students: 3.3 GPA-$1,000 

These scholarships are awarded automatically and are not based on financial need.  

“I received quite a few scholarships from UWRF, including one for pep band, my high school GPA and the Falcons SOAR scholarship,” said Hannah Woelfel, a senior marketing communications and communication studies double major from Belle Plaine, Minn. “I was able to avoid taking out additional student loans for my first year of school, which was one of my anxieties coming into higher education.”  

Briseis Rusnacko, a first year criminology and sociology major from Hastings, Minn., also received the SOAR scholarship, as well as a Success Scholarship. 

“That was a huge motivator, plus the fact that tuition here is more affordable in the first place,” Rusnacko said. “UWRF was my top choice in my college search. The scholarships I achieved made me feel better about the commitment to the school and allowed me to look forward to my future as a Falcon without the stress of money getting the way.” 

Generous alumni 

Many UWRF scholarships are funded by alumni who want to help the next generation of students have the same opportunity to pursue a college education. Manley Olson met his wife, Ann, at UWRF and graduated in 1959 with a degree in history and political science. The couple has funded multiple scholarships which have now become permanent, endowed scholarships. 

“Had I not had a scholarship as a freshman, I probably would not have gone to college,” Manley Olson said. “Now I hear back from students that our scholarships gave them a final lift to attend college or made it a little less stressful.”  

One of the scholarships they started, the Blanche Hansen Nygard and Meta Hanson Elementary Education Scholarship, pays tribute to Ann Olson’s mother and aunt, who were both teachers. 

“It was sort of a way to honor all the teachers who came through River Falls,” Manley Olson said.  

Corporate donors 

UWRF corporate donors also provide scholarship support for students. Nelson-Jameson, Inc., a leading provider of comprehensive supplies and solutions to the food, dairy and beverage processing industries, recently announced plans to deepen their existing UWRF partnership by making a five-year commitment to fund two, $5,000 student scholarships each year. 

“We value our relationship with UWRF, which started several years ago when we supported the university’s dairy pilot plant renovation,” said Amanda Nelson Sasse, vice president of philanthropy and social impact at Nelson-Jameson. “We appreciate the opportunity to support UWRF students in their educational journey and consider it a wise and meaningful investment in the preparation of tomorrow’s industry leaders.” 

Falcon Tuition Promise 

In addition to these scholarships, UWRF recently announced the Falcon Tuition Promise, which ensures that eligible first-year Wisconsin students will have all tuition and fees covered after other grants, scholarships and aid are applied. To be eligible, students must qualify for Wisconsin resident tuition, be working on their first bachelor’s degree and have a Total Income of less than or equal to $62,000 and a Net Worth of less than or equal to $300,000 on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  

To qualify for scholarships and financial aid, it is important for students to fill out the FAFSA.  

For more information on scholarships and financial aid at UWRF, visit uwrf.edu/paying-for-college. 

Photo: Students walk into the UW-River Falls University Center during Orientation in August 2025.