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Preliminary enrollment up overall despite federal student aid disruptions, lack of tuition promise, campus closures – WisPolitics

WisconsinDigitalNews,comSeptember 16, 2024

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MADISON, Wis.—Enrollment at the Universities of Wisconsin (UWs) this fall increased by more than 1,000 students overall, including higher enrollments at eight universities, according to preliminary estimates based on first-day student counts.

The increase comes despite severe challenges caused by the disruptive roll out of a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) financial aid form and a lack of funding for the Wisconsin Tuition Promise, said Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman. Branch campus closures also likely had an impact, he said.

“The fact that overall enrollment is up at the UWs despite the federal FAFSA fiasco is proof positive that Wisconsinites know that education unlocks opportunities,” Rothman said.

The overall enrollment estimate of 163,589 is the highest since 2020.

The most significant impact on enrollment was FAFSA completion, which was down about 9 percent in the state compared to last year, Rothman said.

“We simply didn’t see the typical late surge of enrollments that we would have in normal years and that comes down to FAFSA completion and uncertainty over financial aid awards – something that could have been helped with a tuition promise for the fall 2024 cohort,” said Rothman.

Rothman noted that the $855 million 2025-27 state budget request approved by the Board of Regents includes funding for an expanded tuition promise for fall 2025 and would provide the resources to preserve access at existing branch campuses. Should the budget be approved, he also would not recommend a tuition increase for the 2025-26 or 2026-27 academic years.

“Today’s enrollment growth marks our second year of increases in the face of significant headwinds,” said Rothman. “The consequences of public funding of our universities in the bottom 10 of the nation is making access and affordability much more difficult than it should be. Our hope is the legislature will provide relief for parents and students seeking the educational opportunities at our UWs.”

Overall, headcount enrollment is up by 1,058 students, according to the preliminary estimates, reflecting increases at UW-Eau Claire, UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UW-Madison, UW-River Falls, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Superior, and UW-Whitewater offset in part by declines at other universities.

Official enrollment counts will be released later this fall based on the 10^th day of enrollment.

The preliminary headcount enrollment estimates are: