Celebration of Scholars 2026

MPS Foundation Awards $160,000+ to the class of 2026!

 

On Tuesday, May 5, the MPS Foundation proudly awarded over $160,000 in college scholarships to 48 outstanding students from 14 Milwaukee Public Schools—celebrating the talent, resilience, and diversity that make Milwaukee strong.

This year’s recipients reflect the bright future of our city: 95% are students of color, and 69% will be the first in their families to attend college. Through 30 scholarship opportunities, these scholars are pursuing careers in healthcare, engineering, business, education, technology, the arts, and more.

With more than 1,200 applications submitted this year, interest in MPS Foundation scholarships reached a new milestone, highlighting the growing need for college access and support for Milwaukee students.

We are deeply grateful to the generous donors who make these scholarships possible, the dedicated scholarship reviewers, and our event sponsors — UW–Milwaukee, Wisconsin Central School Bus, and Godfrey & Kahn — for helping us celebrate and invest in the next generation of leaders.

Event Highlights

  • 48 Scholarship Winners
  • 30 Scholarship Opportunities
  • 14 MPS High Schools
  • 95% of Winners are Students of Color
  • 69% of Winners are First-Generation College Students
  • $160,00+ in Scholarships Awarded

Congratulations Class of 2026!

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Thank you, Scholarship Donors!

Thanks to your incredible generosity, the Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation will award more than $160,000 in scholarships in 2026 to deserving students across Milwaukee Public Schools.

Your support does more than provide financial assistance—it opens doors to new opportunities, eases the burden of higher education costs, and empowers students to pursue their goals with confidence. These scholarships remind students that their community believes in their potential and is invested in their future.

Each scholarship represents a dream encouraged, a pathway created, and a brighter future made possible. Because of you, Milwaukee Public Schools students can continue to shine, succeed, and chase their dreams. Thank you for helping make these opportunities possible.

Thank you, Volunteers!

This year, we received more than 1,200 scholarship applications—a powerful reminder of the determination, resilience, and ambition of Milwaukee Public Schools students as they work toward brighter futures and pursue their educational dreams.

We are deeply grateful to each of you who generously volunteered your time, care, and expertise to thoughtfully review these applications. Your dedication played a vital role in helping us make incredibly meaningful decisions during this important process. Behind every application is a student with unique experiences, goals, and aspirations, and your thoughtful consideration helped ensure that each student’s story was seen and valued.

Because of your support and commitment, we are able to connect deserving students with opportunities that can truly change the course of their futures. Thank you for helping us celebrate and invest in the incredible potential of Milwaukee Public Schools students.

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Thank you, Event Sponsors!

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