Scholarships

Through University League, You Can Make a Difference!

The University League, a non-profit membership organization founded in 1901, has a long history of supporting UW-Madison students. Since 1985 the League has given more than $1,000,000 in scholarship funding and grants to UW related organizations. The League's mission is to raise scholarship money, and provide interest groups, volunteer opportunities and social activities for its members.

For many decades, University League members have provided generous scholarship support to UW-Madison students. Funds come from the proceeds of the annual Scholarship Benefit, general donations, memorial and honorary donations and endowed scholarships.

The University League has developed 22 Endowed Scholarships with a book value of more than $900,000. In 2011-12 University League dispersed almost $47,000 in interest earnings from those endowments.

The University League in 2011-12 dispersed almost $83,000 in scholarships and grants, including $33,100 to the 12 University of Wisconsin-Madison schools and colleges for undergraduate student scholarships. Another $46,692 from endowed scholarship funds have been given to designated schools. Further grants were given to educational organizations and projects such as Odyssey Project and Bookworms

Scholarship Funding Opportunities

The University League's scholarship and grant program is outstanding among the Big Ten Women's Organizations. Helping students is a major part of The University League's mission.

There are several ways in which League members and others may participate in funding scholarships and grants:

1. General donations - These include scholarship donations made when paying dues and event fees as well as fund raising projects such as the Scholarship Benefit. Any money left over in the annual operating budget at the end of the year also goes into the general scholarship fund. This money funds the grants and the 12 scholarships which are awarded to UW Schools and Colleges.

2. Memorial gifts - Gifts given to the University League in memory or in honor of an individual are combined to make the annual University League Memorial Scholarship.

3. The University League Endowed Scholarship Fund - As a system for planned giving, members may give to this endowment in increments of $1000. The interest from these combined gifts is given annually as the University League Endowed Scholarship.

4. Named Endowed Scholarships - A minimum amount is required to start a named endowed scholarship. The funds are held at the UW Foundation. Members can build up their funds over time in The University League Endowed Scholarship Fund and when their individual total contribution reaches the minimum, the money can be separated out to become a permanent Endowed Scholarship in a person's name. Named Endowed Scholarships have also been set up as memorials to or in honor of members. Interest earned from the Endowed Scholarships is monitored by the Endowed Scholarship Committee and is awarded annually as listed in the yearbook.

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The University League Board encourages members and friends to make scholarship donations at any time.  Checks should be made payable to THE UNIVERSITY LEAGUE, INC. and mailed to "The University League, Inc., P.O. Box 5064, Madison, WI 53705-0064.  Please indicate on the check whether it is a general scholarship donation, a memorial, or a contribution to the University League Endowed Scholarship Fund.  Please call the University League President or the Endowed Scholarship Chair if you have any questions about scholarship donations. See Contact Us Page.

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