$113 Million in Scholarships and Grants Offered to MPS Class of 2024

(MILWAUKEE) — The 2024 graduates of Milwaukee Public Schools have been offered a total of $113 million in scholarships and grants to further their education, the school district announced on Thursday, August 29.

It was the second-highest total since the district began tracking the total in 2012.

In the Class of 2024, 931 students were offered scholarships and grants, which is a record for the district. At each of 16 district high schools, students were offered more than $1 million total in scholarships and grants.

MPS students attending last fall’s UNCF Empower Me Tour were offered more than $12 million alone in scholarships from the UNCF (United Negro College Fund) and from historically Black colleges and universities.

Scholarships come from many donors and institutions, including the MPS Foundation, and they received the thanks of students and MPS officials at Thursday’s announcement.

The grand total of scholarships and grants usually is announced in June, but the delayed rollout of the federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, in 2023 led to the delay in 2024 of scholarship and grant offers.

Nationally, the FAFSA completion rate as of August 21 was 50%, and the Wisconsin completion rate was 44%. The MPS Class of 2024 had a FAFSA completion rate of 59% as of August 21. The district continues to help 2024 graduates complete their FAFSA.

Karena Clark is a Riverside University High School graduate who will study to become a registered emergency room nurse, tuition free, at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Karena thanked the individuals and organizations making her scholarships possible, saying, “Your generosity is not just an investment in my future, but in the community as a whole.”

Dwayne Veal, another Riverside graduate, spoke before leaving to move into a Milwaukee School of Engineering dormitory. His story, he said, was that of “a first-generation college student who was fortunate enough to have the support of incredible people and organizations who believed in me and my potential.”

His scholarships — totaling more than $400,000 — will pay for his tuition and living expenses for all four years at MSOE on his way to becoming a mechanical engineer.

“This is not just about money. This process has taught me a lot about myself and how capable I am. There are no limits to my success, and I want you all to know that about yourselves, as well,” Dwayne said.

Aida Ochoa-Macedo, a graduate of North Division High School, earned more than $100,000 in scholarships. She will attend Mount Mary University to pursue a degree in early childhood education.

“As an alumna, I can proudly say I have met some amazing staff members and people who have guided and supported me” at North Division, Aida said.

At MPS, high school students have access to school counselors, College and Career Centers, and a scholarship coordinator. The district has forged relationships with key business and community partners and institutions of higher learning to assist students with postsecondary success.

“The work we are celebrating is central to our mission: Milwaukee Public Schools is a diverse district that welcomes all students and prepares them for success in higher education, post-educational opportunities, work, and citizenship,” said John R. Hill, Ph.D., MPS director of College and Career Readiness.

“When staff, families, students, and partners work together to support students, remarkable things can happen,” Hill added.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.