Milwaukee City Wire

If you doubt how meaningful a scholarship can be to a high school student, just ask Wy’Yana Adams.

“It was scholarships that made the difference between dreaming and doing,” said Wy’Yana, who graduated from Rufus King International High School this month and plans to study health science at Spelman College in Atlanta in the fall. She was offered $226,000 to continue her education. Being offered scholarships not only will help her achieve her career goals after college, it allowed her to focus on her goals during her senior year, she told the crowd assembled in front of MPS Central Services on Monday, June 23.

Wy’Yana is among the record number of 1,056 MPS graduates this year who were offered a total of $113 million in scholarships and grants to continue their education. She spoke at the celebration Monday where the grand totals were revealed.

“The entire Milwaukee community can be very proud of this year’s graduates for all that they have accomplished and the support they have received to further their education,” said Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius. “This record-breaking year would not have been possible without the incredible educators and staff in our schools who worked with our students to help them achieve academically and develop as young adults. When staff, families, students, and partners work together to support students, remarkable things can happen.”

The $113 million in scholarship and grant offers matched the second-highest total at MPS since the district began tracking the awards in 2012. It is the fourth year that students in the district were offered more than $100 million for their post-secondary education.

Eighteen MPS high schools logged more than $1 million each in scholarship and grant offers, another record.

As of June 20, the MPS Class of 2025 has a completion rate of 62% for FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. That surpasses last year’s MPS completion rate; it also surpasses both the national average of 52% and Wisconsin's completion rate of 44%.

The MPS Class of 2025 is the first group of students to participate in Milwaukee Direct Admit, which allows students to apply to both Milwaukee Area Technical College and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in less than five minutes.

Martin Ruvalcaba, who graduated from Alexander Hamilton High School, was offered $434,000; he will attend University of Wisconsin-Madison on a full scholarship to become an environmental engineer. Since he was an MPS fourth grader at U.S. Grant School learning about climate change, Martin said he has wanted to work to help the environment. MPS staff not only guided him but also reassured him as he worried about his post-secondary plans.

Mei Lan Wang, a South Division High School graduate will also attend UW-Madison in fall; like Martin her tuition and room and board are covered thanks to $103K she was offered.“The sheer number forms deadlines requirements feel extremely intimidating” Mei Lan said called UW dream college.

“The college career center provided valuable guidance throughout intricate process taking weight off my shoulders,” Mei Lan said credited staff with “making dreams once felt completely unrealistic reality.”

Wy’Yana Martin Mei Lan introduced by their MPS College Career Center advisors worked closely with students help reach post-secondary goals

MPS has more than 20 College Career Centers schools where staff members help students with scholarship applications college tours résumé writing job searches more MPS serves high schools without centers—all grades access school counselors scholarship coordinator

Darryl Jackson represents District 3 Milwaukee Board School Directors acknowledged hard work part students families staff bring district’s graduates point “Students always remember committed preparing success beyond classroom accomplishments reflect foundation built together future filled limitless possibilities” Jackson said