The Wisconsin Scholars Grant (WSG)

The WSG is a privately funded program designed to help low-income Wisconsin families pay for college and increase college completion. Student access to the WSG is based on Pell Grant eligibility, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) information, and college admissions records. The grant provided students with $1,800 per year for each year in which they were enrolled in a Wisconsin two-year public institution. If students transferred to an in-state public four-year university, the grant amount increased to $3,500 per year.

Anderson and Goldrick-Rab (2018) conducted a study that examined the effects of the WSG on college credit accumulation and persistence.

Study findings. The WSG did not have a statistically significant positive impact on college persistence or credit accumulation. The authors point out that the requirement for students to complete and return verification forms upon notification of the WSG offer led to many eligible students not receiving grant support, and ongoing eligibility requirements led to students not retaining it over the intended time period.

WWC study rating. The study used a randomized controlled trial design and meets WWC standards without reservations. Access the full study review here, in the WWC’s review of individual studies database.