King-Morgridge Scholars Program 2027: Full-Ride UW–Madison Scholarship
Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | King-Morgridge Scholars Program |
| Host university | University of Wisconsin-Madison |
| Host country | United States |
| Level | Incoming first-year undergraduate |
| Coverage | Full four-year/eight-semester scholarship |
| Annual awards | Six students admitted annually |
| Admission deadline | Early Action deadline: 1 November 2026 |
| Scholarship deadline | 15 November 2026 |
| Official URL | https://admissions.wisc.edu/international-scholarships/ |
The King-Morgridge Scholars Program is a full-ride undergraduate scholarship at UW-Madison for first-year international students committed to poverty alleviation and community development. It is targeted to students educated in eligible countries across Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.
This is one of the strongest U.S. undergraduate funding options for high-need international applicants. Compare it with the QuestBridge National College Match guide and the Morehead-Cain Scholarship guide if you are building a full-ride U.S. college list.
What Does It Cover?
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | Covered for four years/eight semesters |
| Room and board | Covered |
| Health insurance | Covered |
| Airfare | Covered |
| Miscellaneous stipend | Included |
| Cohort size | Six students admitted annually |
| Award purpose | Supports students committed to poverty alleviation and community development |
Eligibility
✅ You Must:
- Apply as an incoming first-year undergraduate bachelor’s degree-seeking student.
- Have no prior tertiary education at another institution.
- Apply to UW-Madison through Early Action and receive an admit decision in the Early Action review period.
- Demonstrate a high level of financial need.
- Demonstrate commitment to poverty alleviation and community development.
- Plan to return to your home country or region after graduation.
- Have received a high school diploma or equivalent on or after 1 November 2023, or be in final year with expected completion before 1 August 2027.
- Earn your high school credential from an eligible institution in Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, South Asia, or Southeast Asia.
❌ Not Eligible If:
- You are a transfer student, graduate student, current UW-Madison student, or have completed post-secondary education.
- You miss the Early Action admission deadline.
- Your high school credential is not from an eligible region.
- You cannot demonstrate financial need and a poverty-alleviation/community-development commitment.
Eligible Regions
| Region | Examples listed by UW-Madison |
|---|---|
| Africa | Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and many others |
| Latin America | Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and others |
| Caribbean | Jamaica, Haiti, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and others |
| South Asia | Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka |
| Southeast Asia | Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and others |
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1: Apply to UW-Madison Early Action
The scholarship requires candidates to apply as first-year students through Early Action. The admission deadline is 1 November 2026.
Step 2: Set up your NetID
After submitting the UW-Madison application, use the Campus ID sent by email to create your NetID.
Step 3: Log into Wisconsin Scholarship Hub
Use your NetID and password to access WiSH, the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub.
Step 4: Answer opportunity questions
WiSH uses multiple-choice questions to create your scholarship opportunities list.
Step 5: Select King-Morgridge Scholars Program
Choose the King-Morgridge opportunity from the list and complete the separate scholarship application.
Step 6: Submit short answers and essay
UW-Madison says the King-Morgridge application includes several short-answer questions and a 500-700 word essay. Submit by 15 November 2026.
King-Morgridge vs Other Full-Ride Undergraduate Awards
| Scholarship | Host | Best for | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| King-Morgridge Scholars Program | UW-Madison | Eligible regions + poverty alleviation focus | 15 Nov 2026 |
| QuestBridge National College Match | U.S. partner colleges | High-achieving low-income U.S.-school applicants | 30 Sep 2026 |
| Morehead-Cain Scholarship | UNC-Chapel Hill | Leadership and full enrichment funding | 1 Oct 2026 |
| Robertson Scholars | Duke/UNC | Leadership and service | 15 Oct / 15 Nov 2026 |
Insider Tips
1. Build the application around poverty alleviation
The scholarship is not just a general academic award. Your essays should show a sustained link between your background, service, intended major, and poverty alleviation.
2. Apply Early Action or you lose eligibility
The King-Morgridge route depends on Early Action admission. Regular Decision is not a safe path for this scholarship.
3. Prepare the 500-700 word essay early
Six students are admitted annually, so the essay should be specific, evidence-based, and connected to real community work.
4. Confirm your country and school eligibility
UW-Madison lists eligible countries by region. Applicants must have earned the high school credential from an eligible region, not simply hold citizenship from one.
5. Plan for the return-home expectation
The programme expects scholars to plan to return to their home country or region after graduation. Make that plan clear and credible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is King-Morgridge fully funded?
Yes. UW-Madison describes it as a four-year/eight-semester scholarship including tuition and fees, room and board, health insurance, airfare, and miscellaneous stipend.
How many King-Morgridge Scholars are selected each year?
UW-Madison states that six students are admitted annually.
What is the scholarship deadline for Fall 2027?
The UW-Madison Early Action admission deadline is 1 November 2026, and the King-Morgridge scholarship application deadline is 15 November 2026.
Are graduate students eligible?
No. Transfer students, graduate applicants, current UW-Madison students, and students who already completed a post-secondary degree are not eligible.
Timeline Table
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Late August 2026 | King-Morgridge application opens in WiSH |
| 1 November 2026 | UW-Madison Early Action admission deadline |
| 15 November 2026 | King-Morgridge scholarship deadline |
| End of March 2027 | Scholarship decisions expected |
| Fall 2027 | Scholars begin undergraduate study |
Your Action Plan
1. Confirm your high school credential and country/region qualify.
2. Draft UW-Madison Early Action materials before October.
3. Prepare evidence of financial need and community-development work.
4. Submit UW-Madison by 1 November 2026.
5. Submit the WiSH King-Morgridge application by 15 November 2026.
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Share this with someone from Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, South Asia, or Southeast Asia seeking a U.S. full-ride undergraduate scholarship.