<p>UW-Madison is not known for giving merit aid in general. They do have very nice merit aid for URMs. Some small departmental and other such specific scholarships for anyone, no hooks needed, but not generally big money. For in-state NMFs there is a large first year-only award of about $7000. You can compete at their residential summer music clinic to get 4 year full tuition. There are 10 of those. But they have very little general merit for good students. There is something tiny called Vilas, maybe $400(?). If you are very very special and they really want you, they can patch together funds from somewhere, but that is rare.</p>
<p>Also, if you are in-state for WI, a couple of kids(Number depends on size of HS. Big schools get 4-5) get the WI Academic Excellence scholarship. It’s based on highest GPA and if needed school does tiebreakers using test scores or something. It’s $2250/yr. Can use it anywhere in WI, but not take OOS. They do run a waiting list. At D’s school she and other winners all went OOS so others got it. She didn’t find out about this until honors convocation late in school year. Ask your GC.</p>
<p>Also, people with high stats kids I know at UW say that UW tends to wait to award some scholarship money after kids are enrolled and more given in subsequent years. This is hearsay, not personal experience.</p>