International Student Admission

Finances

Foreign study requires careful financial planning. U.S. immigration law requires international students to document their ability to pay all tuition and living expenses for the time they are studying in this country.

Quicklinks

Financial Support and Documentation

International students applying for admission must complete and submit the UW-Madison Financial Verification Form with an original bank letter verifying at least $70,000 (U.S.) on deposit. Download and print the Financial Verification Form (pdf, 37K), which also includes complete details on the financial documentation you will need to provide. Review our International Application Process and Dates page for complete information on how to apply and required application materials.

Back to Top

Estimated Cost of Attendance

Wisconsin is recognized both for its quality and value. While the cost of attendance varies from student to student, we provide the following estimates to help you plan for your education. Please note these are tuition and living expense estimates for the 2006-07 year. The amount will increase each year and is subject to change without notice.

Tuition and Fees
  Academic Year (9 months)
$20,730
  Summer Session (optional)
$5,000
   
Living Expenses (12 months)
  Housing
$6,747
  Food
$3,146
  Incidentals
$3,413
  Books/Supplies
$890
  Health Insurance
$1,260
  Total (Living Expenses)
$15,456
     
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance
  Tuition and Living (9 months)
$36,186
  Tuition and Living (12 months)
$41,186

For official university tuition figures, visit the Registrar's Office Web site. You can learn more about student financial account information, including payment deadlines, at the Bursar's Office Web site.

Back to Top

Financial Assistance

Photo of a student in a "Physics in the Arts" class learning about a medium format Graphex Speed Graphic camera.

Physics in the Arts Class

To receive federal financial assistance from the University of Wisconsin, you must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or refugee. Therefore, students on F-1 or J-1 student visas are not eligible to receive federal financial aid from the university. While employment opportunities are available, it is not feasible for students to support themselves financially by working a part-time job.

Some international students may be eligible for private loans or select scholarship programs. The Global Student Loan Corporation is a lender that provides private loans to international students. In addition, International Student Services (ISS) at UW-Madison maintains a Scholarship Reference page with detailed information on some of the awards, scholarships, grants, fellowships, and special programs available to international students. Also review UW-Madison's Undergraduate Scholarships page for additional programs.

Back to Top

Health Insurance

Health care in the United States is very expensive. UW-Madison requires that all international students on nonimmigrant visas have adequate medical insurance during all periods of enrollment. The university's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is therefore required, unless you have another UW Health Services-approved comparable insurance plan. For more information about SHIP, including enrollment forms, rates, and waiver guidelines, visit the Student Health Insurance Plan site.

Back to Top