For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD – With the cost of a college education escalating, scholarships are more important than ever.  Estimated costs for a Wisconsin resident for the 2017-2018 academic year at UW-Madison were $26,003.60 per year for tuition, room and board, and fees. Private colleges average $50,900.

These price tags show close to a five percent increase in cost over the past ten years. Of course, that’s not the total price. You still have to buy books and supplies, do your laundry, and pay for the occasional pizza.

Rising cost of a college education and the failure of federal grants to keep pace with the higher rates of tuition have led to increasing student debt. The average debt of a graduating senior from a college in Wisconsin was $29,460, with 64 percent of students showing debt.

A scholarship is a way to help pay the staggering costs that today’s college students are experiencing.

The Marshfield Area Community Foundation publicizes the 70 scholarships that the foundation offers, as well as other local scholarships, as a public service and to ensure that there is a good field of applicants.

The foundation has published their Scholarship Bulletin for 14 years to help scholarship seekers find the money that is being offered by local community groups, individuals, foundations, and businesses.

Scholarships listed are for high school graduates in Auburndale, Abbotsford, Colby, Columbus Catholic High School, Granton, Greenwood, Loyal, Marshfield High School, Neillsville, Pittsville, Prentice, Owen-Withee, Spencer, and Stratford.

Bulletins are available at the Marshfield Area Community Foundation, Everett Roehl Marshfield Public Library, and at area schools.  You may also view the bulletin online at

http://marshfieldareacommunityfoundation.org/uploads/2018%20Scholarship%20Insert%20FINAL.pdf