Tuition grant for Wisconsin Technical College System students

Upper Iowa University and the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) have announced a new tuition grant for Wisconsin technical college graduates. All WTCS graduates automatically qualify for a grant that will offset a portion of the cost of tuition when attending UIU.

UIU, a private, nonprofit university founded in 1857, has a long affiliation with the WTCS. The strong partnership has included shared space in numerous cities across Wisconsin as well as academic program articulation agreements that allow seamless transfer for students. This tuition grant further cements this longstanding relationship and benefits students at both institutions.

“Through this UIU tuition grant, it is even more affordable for graduates to transfer the excellent education they received through their Wisconsin technical college toward the exceptional education available at Upper Iowa University,” UIU Regional Director Peg Baxter said.

“I’m happy to see this expansion in what has been a fantastic partnership with UIU,” WTCS President Dr. Morna K. Foy said. “They clearly see the same qualities in our students that I do – intelligence, determination and the drive to pursue well-designed lifelong learning opportunities.”
While both serve recent high school graduates, technical colleges and UIU both excel in providing convenient, high-quality education to adult students who are looking to advance their current career or start a new one. Each makes it easier for an adult student to manage their education together with work, family and other responsibilities.

“At UIU, we provide students with evening classes, online courses, self-paced courses and other convenient options so they can choose the schedule that is best for them,” said Karl Easttorp, UIU’s Executive Director of Communications and Marketing. “We partner with the WTCS because they share our interest in being accessible and flexible in creating the optimal learning environment for adult student success.”

UIU’s main campus is in Fayette, Iowa. Over their 160-year history, UIU has developed a network of 25 education centers throughout the United States, including six in Wisconsin. The UIU centers in Milwaukee and Wausau are celebrating their 25^th anniversaries this year, while the Elkhorn location turns 15 years old this year. UIU also has locations in Janesville, Madison and Prairie du Chien, and residents from Racine, Kenosha, La Crosse and other cities across Wisconsin can take UIU classes in their local communities.

UIU is also a long-time innovator in online and independent study. U.S. News & World Report recognized these achievements each of the last five years by naming UIU one of its top universities for online undergraduate programs. Students can attend from anywhere with access to the internet.

The transition to UIU is easy for Wisconsin technical college graduates. Students have more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs to choose from, and UIU accepts up to 78 credits from two-year colleges. Technical college graduates who are used to small class sizes and helpful faculty and staff will have a similar experience at UIU. Each UIU academic year consists of five 8-week sessions and one accelerated 6-week summer session, so UIU students typically take one or two classes at a time. This convenience and flexibility make UIU programs particularly popular among working adults and military personnel; UIU’s education programs are regularly honored by Military Times and others.

“With a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio and highly supportive faculty, the UIU experience helps students become even more confident in their abilities and inspires them to reach their full potential,” Easttorp said.

One of the most important similarities among the technical colleges and UIU is student success. On average, 93 percent of WTCS students are employed within six months of graduation. Of those not in the labor force, 86 percent are continuing their education. UIU graduates experience similar success, where 92 percent are employed or continuing their education shortly after commencement.  UIU’s Office of Career Development and the vast network of over 37,000 alumni around the world also provide a great resource for students and new alumni looking to make inroads in their chosen profession.

“The relationships our colleges have forged with employers in every sector of Wisconsin’s economy assures that our instruction is relevant,” Foy said. “The consistent result is that our graduates have great confidence they’ll have a successful career in their area of study.”

“Whether you just graduated high school, are looking to enhance your current career, or are seeking to start a new career, an associate degree from Wisconsin’s technical colleges and bachelor’s degree from Upper Iowa University are an investment in your future,” Easttorp said.

To learn more about this tuition grant opportunity, visit here or call the UIU location nearest you.