Fund for Wisconsin Scholars lends support to UWO students, eases financial strain of college

More than 100 of the UW-Oshkosh students benefitting from Fund for Wisconsin Scholars grants gathered for a dinner Monday to hear about the program.

A roomful of University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh students who are being assisted with generous grants toward their tuition, gathered with a representative of the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars at a kickoff dinner Monday at Culver Family Welcome Center.

Students say financial support can make all the difference when seeking a college education and leaders hear often from grateful learners.

Brayden Nelson of Oshkosh, who is majoring in business management, said the FFWS grant will allow him the ability next spring to study abroad in England and earn six credits-something he would never have been able to do. Because he lives at home, works over summer and receives FFWS funds, Nelson said he has the potential to graduate from college debt-free.

Another student said the funds help reduce financial stress.

"I'd say I'm not taking as many loans," said David Brewers of Appleton, a second-year student who is majoring in radio TV film and anthropology.

Angie Swenson-Holzinger, who was on hand representing FFWS, said the charitable foundation was started in 2007 by UW-Madison alumni John and Tashia Morgridge, whose wish is to increase the number of students who complete a bachelor's degree without overwhelming debt.

Their mission is to provide need-based grants to graduates of Wisconsin public high schools attending the Universities of Wisconsin to support their access to and completion of college.

Their vision is by doing so, it improves the quality of life for all Wisconsin residents by creating more well-paying jobs, increasing learning opportunities and providing access to higher education.

Swenson-Holzinger said students don't apply for the grant. Financial aid offices pull data on students, send it to Madison and student awards are pulled randomly as long as various criteria are met. Students sometimes think the emails are fake-especially when they read that up to $4,500 a year for up to five years is being awarded with the possibility for an additional $1,200 for summer tuition.

Chancellor Manohar Singh said that education open minds and he said UWO is the place students will bring their dreams.

He added that students "are the future" and he told them to "make the world better" tomorrow.

Amanda Pierron, a graduate assistant with New Student and Retention Programs, helps coordinate the FFWS program at UWO. She herself, is an alumna of the program and previously served as a peer mentor.

Pierron said the grants afforded her experiences she otherwise would not have had. She advised students in the crowd to get involved, meet people and to explore and to grow.

UWO has three peer mentors, Jada Bell, Megan Hoffman and Emma Stopen, who connect with students in the FFWS program and help them with questions. All three mentors benefitted from FFWS grants.

"I don't even know what I would have done," Bell said. "FFWS really closed that (financial) gap. I was very grateful."

Bell, a secondary education-English major from Milwaukee, said the funds allowed her to work a few less hours and focus more on her studies.

By the numbers

• From 2014-2024, 766 UWO students recieved FFWS grants, totaling more than $2.8 million in support.

• Approximately 100 students are welcomed each fall, with students receiving support for 4-5 years. Currently, there are approximately 500 FFWS students at UWO.

• FFWS is a nonprofit foundation established in 2007 by John and Tashia Morgridge to make higher education more accessible and attainable for Wisconsin students.

• FFWS is not based on academic performance or grade point average. Recipients come from a wide range of academic backgrounds and must demonstrate significant financial need.

In 2024, then-UWO Chancellor Andrew Leavitt awarded John and Tashia Morgridge the prestigious Chancellor's Medallion during their visit to campus.

Learn more:

UWO New Student and Retention Programs