Campus Connection

Do you have a child or grandchild living outside Wisconsin and Minnesota who might be interested in UWL? They could save thousands on tuition

Heidi Baughman, of Galesburg, Illinois, knew she wanted to be a UW-La Crosse student early on. After all, her mother, a 1990 alumna, loved her time on the “beautiful” campus. Heidi was ecstatic when, researching tuition on the UWL website, she learned she could save nearly $4,000 off a year of tuition as a resident of Illinois with a parent who is a UWL alum. The discount was possible because of the Return to Wisconsin Program. Learning she would save so much made UWL even more attractive, she says. “I am so grateful for the Return to Wisconsin Program. It has relieved so much stress in regard to paying for tuition,” says Heidi. “I can focus on my studies, become more involved, and engage in fun, school activities because I don't have the burden of needing to earn extra money for school. The Return to Wisconsin Program has definitely had a huge positive impact on my family and me.” [caption id="attachment_9325" align="alignnone" width="575"] UWL junior Heidi Baughman poses with her mother and sister during move-in weekend. Baughman saved thousands on tuition as a nonresident of Wisconsin and Minnesota with a parent who is an alum through the Return to Wisconsin Program. Her younger sister is also planning to take advantage of the program. From left: Jenny Baughman, ’90, Heidi’s mother who earned a degree in business administration; Heidi Baughman; and Stefanie Baughman, Heidi’s younger sister.[/caption] Many incoming students and transfer students are taking advantage of the program that allows non-residents of Wisconsin or Minnesota with parents and grandparents who are UWL graduates to receive discounted tuition. For 2019-2020 academic year, the estimated discount is $3,780. UWL Junior Samuel Brandl grew up in Long Grove, Illinois. UWL wasn’t on his radar as a college option until his father, a UWL alumnus, told him about the Return to Wisconsin Program. He is now following his father’s footsteps — not only as a UWL student but also a finance major. He is grateful his father, John Brandl, ’89, pointed out the program. “It makes a difference for me in saving some money on tuition, yet I still get to go to a great school,” he says. [caption id="attachment_9326" align="alignright" width="293"] UWL Junior Samuel Brandl[/caption] Heidi became a new transfer student this fall and is majoring in Therapeutic Recreation and minoring in psychology. She enjoys continuing to hear her mom’s UWL stories as she embarks on her own UWL journey. Heidi adds that her younger sister, Stefanie, is also planning to transfer to UWL in two years and take advantage of the program. "A lot has changed since I went there, but it's definitely the same quality education and supportive faculty that I experienced when I went there,” says Jenny Baughman, Heidi’s mother. “Plus, UWL is a campus that offers students a wide variety of activities and involvement!” About the program Did you know that students with parents and grandparents who are UWL graduates can receive discounted tuition? Non-resident undergraduate students, not including residents of Minnesota, are eligible for participation in the Return to Wisconsin Program, which offers a 25 percent discount on the difference between resident and non-resident tuition rates for eligible students whose parents, stepparents, or grandparents graduated from UW-La Crosse. For 2019-2020, the estimated discount is $3,780 for the academic year. Students can apply for the Return to Wisconsin program by filling out the online application, found at www.uwlax.edu/admissions/non-resident-tuition-programs. Completed forms should be sent to the Admissions Office to establish eligibility. Participation continues in the program, as long as a student remains in good standing and makes satisfactory academic progress. Full-time status (12 credits or above) is required on the first day of the fall and spring semesters. Full-time status is not required for the winter or summer sessions.