Financial Matters
Related links
- Estimated costs of attendance
- Tuition and fee due dates
- University Housing rates and billing information
- Financial information for study abroad programs
- FASFA on the Web
- UW–Madison Library’s grants information collection
- Dean of Students crisis loans
- Campus Area Housing average rent information
- The National Endowment for Financial Education ® CashCourse
Tuition and fees information
Tuition rates
Find the University of Wisconsin–Madison tuition rates, fee information, and student tuition account information.
21 N. Park Street, Suite 7101
Madison, WI 53715-1218
Phone: 608-262-3611
Four offices are involved in assessing tuition and fees, disbursing financial aid, and processing bills and payments.
Office of the Registrar—Tuition Assessment Section
21 N. Park Street, Suite 7223
Madison, WI 53715-1218
Phone: 608-262-4031
- Assesses tuition and fees
- Hears appeals of late initial enrollment fees
- Answers Minnesota reciprocity questions
Office of Student Financial Services
432 N. Murray Street
Madison, WI 53715-1218
Phone: 608-262-3060
- Processes applications for financial aid
- Determines eligibility for financial aid awards
- Disburses financial aid into student accounts
- Adjusts financial aid awards when needed
Parents’ most frequently asked questions about financial aid
Bursar’s Office
21 N. Park Street, Suite 7101
Madison, WI 53715-1218
Phone: 608-262-3611
- Sends student tuition and fee bills
- Receives and processes tuition and fee payments to student accounts
- Posts financial aid from Student Financial Services and some scholarships from outside sources toward student tuition and fee charges on student accounts
- Authorizes and distributes tuition and fee refund checks
- Bills third-party sponsors for tuition and fee charges
- Handles tuition payments that were paid with bad checks
- Assesses late-payment fees on accounts not paid in full by due date
- Communicates with students regarding questions on student accounts
- Places tuition and fee holds on student records and enrollment
- Reviews late-payment fee appeals
University Housing
University Housing has its own business office and operates on a billing cycle separate from that described here for tuition and fees. Questions about bills for residence halls should be directed to: University Housing, Slichter Hall 625 Babcock Drive, Madison, WI 53706, Phone: 608-262-2522
Wiscard
The UW–Madison campus debit card program, Wiscard, is a fast, safe, and convenient way to buy food, books, school supplies, and more. Wiscard is accepted at more than 45 locations on campus, when shown with a UW–Madison photo ID. It allows you to make deposits, check balances, and even deactivate a missing card using an online system. Phone: 608-263-1964 or 608-262-1667
Scholarships
UW–Madison annually awards more than $12 million in scholarships to undergraduates. View the Undergraduate Scholarship booklet and Student Financial Services’ Scholarship Information Board for valuable information on scholarships.
Job, research, and internship opportunities
Encourage your student to take advantage of opportunities offered outside of the classroom. It not only enriches their learning experience, but also may provide some extra cash, too! See our Out-of-Class Learning section for more information.
Important financial tips you may want to discuss with your student
- Set a budget. Decide ahead of time how much you can spend each month on food, entertainment, and other expenses.
- Financial institutions all offer different savings and checking accounts and services. Look for the one that best fits your needs for the lowest price.
- Keep your checkbook register up to date. ATM and debit card receipts should be entered just like a check. Keep the receipts and check them against your statement each month.
- Know the fees you’re charged each month, and be aware of additional fees you might incur for writing checks or using an ATM card. Deduct these when calculating your account balance.
- Check your bank statements. It’s a good idea to read your statements and make sure all the transactions listed match your personal records.
- Keep your financial information safe. Always know where you put your checkbook and/or ATM/debit card. If you ever lose a checkbook or card, let your financial institution know immediately.
- Always pay your bills on time; missed payments can have a negative impact on your future ability to borrow money for things you might want later in life. Contact businesses to work out a plan and consider seeking advice from the Get Focu$ed Counseling Center (focus@finaid.wisc.edu).
- If you have roommates, make sure you all sign a roommate-agreement form
(available on the Financial Occupations Club for University Students (FOCUS) - Visit focus.rso.wisc.edu, a Web site that specifies who pays what bills. This can help prevent arguments that can ruin friendships.
- If you work during the summer, you should always save as much as you can of your take-home income to meet the expenses you will have in the coming school year. Try to save 50 percent.
- People in school come from a variety of backgrounds. Your real friends will understand that you may not be able to afford everything they can, such as going out frequently or taking trips. Many activities on campus are free.
Banking
Many students choose to continue banking in their hometown and rely on ATM machines and the Internet to manage their accounts. For students who would prefer to set up accounts in Madison, we recommend checking the Internet or local Yellow Pages for area banks. The University of Wisconsin–Madison does not endorse or recommend any particular financial institution.