The First Wave Scholarship is the first and only full-tuition, four-year Hip-Hop & Urban Arts scholarship program for graduating high school seniors and first year college freshmen that are applying to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the first time. Please click the “Apply” button on this page for information about the application process.
The application for First Wave’s 19th cohort is now open and the deadline to submit all materials is February 6, 2026. The deadline to submit early decision applications for the 19th cohort is 11:59 pm CT on November 14, 2025.
PLEASE NOTE: All applicants will need to apply to UW-Madison and be admitted in order to be eligible for the First Wave scholarship. The UW early action application deadline is November 1, 2025, with all materials due by November 10, 2025. Regular decision applications are due on January 15, 2026 with all materials due on January 22, 2026.
Please click the “Overview” button on this page to learn more about the program and the four year curriculum.