Financial Aid
Most Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) students qualify for some form of financial aid to pay for education after high school, from scholarships to grants to student loans.
Financial aid is the money given and used to pay for your education. Going through the financial aid process will make the cost of college more affordable.
Average Cost of College
Costs vary from school to school and are an important part of choosing a college. Here are the most recent national averages for annual published tuition and fees:
- Public two-year college (in-district): $4,150
- Public four-year college (in-state students): $11,950
- Public four-year college (out-of-state students): $31,880
- Private nonprofit four-year college: $45,000
Source: College Board, Trends in College Pricing 2025 (2025–26 academic year)
These are sticker-price tuition and fees only and don't include housing, food, books, transportation, or other expenses. College Board estimates the total annual student budget at about $21,320 for public two-year students, $30,990 for in-state public four-year students, $50,920 for out-of-state public four-year students, and $65,470 for private nonprofit four-year students.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
To receive federal, state, and/or institutional funding (depending on the university or college), you must fill out and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA. The FAFSA can be completed each year starting October 1.
Types of Aid
For students who need help paying for college, there are four types of financial aid: scholarships, grants, student loans, and work-study.
Scholarships
Scholarships are a type of financial aid that you do not have to pay back. They are usually won through a competitive process and can be applied to college-related expenses only.
Grants
Grants are also gift aid that you don't have to pay back. While scholarships are often awarded through a competitive application process, grants are awarded based on financial need or a merit-based requirement. They are available through governmental or institutional funds and may require additional applications. (Most are awarded automatically after students have completed the FAFSA.)
Learn more about Federal Pell Grants and Wisconsin Talent Incentive Program (TIP) Grants. TIP Grants provide financial assistance to the most financially needy and educationally disadvantaged Wisconsin students who are attending colleges and universities in Wisconsin.
Student Loans
A student loan is money that you borrow from a public or private source and use to pay for college-related expenses. All money that you take out on loan must be paid back, usually with interest, which varies by the interest rate of the loan. Learn more about loans, including repayment information.
Work-Study
Students with work-study jobs work part-time on or off campus while enrolled. Learn more about work-study jobs.
Wisconsin State Financial Aid
The State of Wisconsin gives financial aid to students from Wisconsin who are attending in-state schools. To be eligible, a student must be a resident, have a high school diploma or GED, be enrolled in an undergraduate degree or certificate program, and attend a nonprofit college or university based in Wisconsin. Learn more about Wisconsin state financial aid.