Given the ruling on the Alston case, student‐athletes at UW‐Madison have the opportunity to receive academic awards starting in the 2022‐2023 academic year. Student‐athletes have the opportunity to receive an academic award each semester and an award at graduation. The University may revise award terms as circumstances, laws, etc. change.
It is anticipated that circumstances, laws, and regulations associated with collegiate athletics will continue to change, including but not limited to the preliminary settlement approval in the House v. NCAA antitrust lawsuit which will result in a future shared revenue structure. As such, Student-Athlete Academic Awards will not continue beyond the 2024-25 academic year.
Undergraduate Graduation Award
- Up to $25,000 academic award available upon completion of UW‐Madison undergraduate degree (up to $2,500 accumulated each semester, capped at 10 semesters) *discontinued after the 2024-25 academic year, with the exception that accrued amounts from 2022-23, 2023-24, and/or 2024-25 will be distributed if the terms below are met in full
- Must be academically eligible & remain on UW‐Madison NCAA squad list each semester in order to qualify for the maximum award (academic eligibility and NCAA squad list status are determined on the census date of the next semester)
- Awarded when degree is conferred
- Forfeit all award if not on UW‐Madison NCAA squad list at time of graduation
Undergraduate Academic Award
- $490 academic award available per semester ($980 per year) *discontinued after the 2024-25 academic year; Spring 2025 awards will be distributed after the Fall 2025 census date if the terms below are met in full
- Must be academically eligible & remain on UW‐Madison NCAA squad list each semester in order to qualify for and receive the award (academic eligibility and NCAA squad list status is determined on and awarded after the census date of the next semester)
Postgraduate Academic Award (graduate school student, special status student)
- $2,990 academic award available per semester ($5,980 per year) *discontinued after the 2024-25 academic year; Spring 2025 awards will be distributed during Summer 2025 (if exhausting eligibility) or after the Fall 2025 census date (if returning to the team with eligibility) if the terms below are met in full
- Must be academically eligible each semester in order to qualify for and receive the award (academic eligibility is determined on and awarded after the census date of the next semester)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) (2025-26 and beyond)
- Will Undergraduate Graduation Awards ($2500/semester) continue after 2024-25? No; however, accrued amounts from the 2022-23, 2023-24, and/or 2024-25 academic years will be distributed if the Undergraduate Graduation Award terms are met in full.
- What sports are eligible to receive accrued Undergraduate Graduation Awards? All intercollegiate sponsored sports at UW‐Madison.
- Which student‐athletes are eligible to receive accrued Undergraduate Graduation Awards? All scholarship & non‐scholarship student‐athletes have the opportunity to receive the award per the established criteria.
- Which NCAA Squad List statuses qualify for accrued Undergraduate Graduation Awards?
- Qualifying statuses: Active Student‐Athlete, Medical Non‐Counter, Exhausted Eligibility, Other
- Disqualifying statuses: Cut/Dismissed, Withdrew, Quit
- When should a student‐athlete expect to receive accrued Undergraduate Graduation Awards? Award distribution after any given semester will begin after graduation is posted and confirmed.
- How will student‐athletes receive accrued Undergraduate Graduation Awards? Direct deposit, based on information on file with the Bursars' Office.
- Will accrued Undergraduate Graduation Awards earn interest? No.
- Are accrued Undergraduate Graduation Awards considered taxable income? Yes, a student‐athlete will receive tax forms for the year the award is earned. Student‐athletes should consult an accountant on any tax implications.
- If student‐athletes receive federal or institutional financial aid, are they eligible to receive accrued Undergraduate Graduation Awards? Yes, if a student‐athlete is only receiving a Pell Grant, they can continue to receive the Pell Grant. However, these awards are considered financial aid and the amount will be included in a student athlete’s financial aid package which could result in financial aid adjustments. It is recommended that student‐athletes contact the financial aid office to learn more if their aid package is impacted.
- Will Undergraduate Academic Awards ($490/semester) continue after 2024-25? No.
- Will Postgraduate Academic Awards ($2990/semester) continue after 2024-25? No.
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