Rotary Club of Milwaukee Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Rotary Club of Milwaukee
Overview
The Rotary Club of Milwaukee Scholarship Program supports students who show a strong motivation to pursue higher education at a four‑year college, two‑year college, or technical school. In addition to a monetary award, scholars receive educational programming, ongoing support and mentor relationships throughout their college years. The program typically assists about 25 students each academic year.
Who is eligible
Applicants must:
- Live in the City of Milwaukee.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Hold a GPA that meets the admission standards of the institution they plan to attend (Rotary does not set a fixed GPA cutoff; instead, it looks for applicants committed to academic success).
- Submit a complete application package, including letter(s) of reference and an original personal essay.
Application timeline
The application becomes available in December and must be completed and returned by March 1.
Financial support and renewal
Award amounts are set annually; recent scholarships have ranged from $3,000 to $5,000 per academic year. Scholarships may be renewed each year if the student maintains satisfactory academic progress.
Mentoring and program services
Each scholar is matched with at least one mentor who offers academic, career and personal guidance and helps students navigate college life. Many participants cite the mentor relationship as the program’s most valuable resource. One scholar shared that the Rotary program’s support helped them keep going during setbacks and provided connections and encouragement that they expect will continue to benefit them through graduation and beyond.
Graduation outcomes
Many recipients are first‑generation college students from low‑income backgrounds. Nationally, just 11% of first‑generation, low‑income students complete a college degree within six years. By contrast, nearly two‑thirds of Rotary scholars have graduated, and on average they finished their studies in about four and a half years—outcomes the program is proud to report.