Class of 2024 -The MATC Promise means free tuition for eligible students

By offering free tuition for eligible students, the MATC Promise for New High School Graduates is unlocking opportunity, making college a reality for students who never thought it was possible.

Eligible students earn up to 75 credits of free tuition — after other scholarships and grants are applied. The cost of books, program fees and equipment are not covered by the Promise program.
View the list of eligible programs (link).

Get connected to an in-demand career in as little as one to two years – or start a four-year degree. Eligible students can continue on to a four-year degree through:

  • Promise completion programs at Lakeland University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Bucky’s Tuition Promise
  • Guaranteed admission agreements with Marquette University, UW-Madison, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, and over 30 more four-year partner colleges and universities


To participate, you must:

Meet Academic and Eligibility Requirements

Eligible students:

  • Are eligible for federal Pell grants – your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) will determine this.
  • Earn a 2.0 GPA or higher – Final deadline applicants can meet it either with their junior year GPA or first semester senior year GPA. (A GPA equivalent is determined for students in nontraditional programs.)  
  • Graduate as part of the Class of 2024 from a high school in the MATC district or live in the MATC district. (The MATC District includes all of Milwaukee County, most all of Ozaukee County and small parts of Washington and Waukesha counties; see this map of Wisconsin technical college districts
  • NEW: This includes students completing nontraditional options such as a General Educational Development certificate (GED), High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) or MATC's Adult High School during this same time frame.

AUGUST 2, 2024 is the final deadline for Fall 2024.

  • Complete the Promise interest application
  • Apply to MATC at matc.edu/applyNote: MATC now charges a $2 application processing fee.  To request a fee waiver, please contact MATC Admissions. 
  • Complete a 2024-25 FAFSA®. (MATC’s federal school code is 003866 and the 2024-25 FAFSA becomes available in December 2023.) Students wishing to start in Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 will also need to complete the 2023-24 FAFSA®,
  • Submit high school transcripts (or GED/HSED certificates) with final transcripts due August 2, 2024.

Final Steps

  • Submit final high school transcript with graduation date by August 2, 2024.
  • Enroll at MATC by enrolling in 6 or more financial aid eligible credits in Fall 2024 towards a financial aid eligible program (special exemptions may be provided)

How Do I Stay in the Program?

  • Enroll in at least 6 credits each Fall and Spring semester
  • Earn at least a 2.0 semester GPA and complete 67% of credits attempted in the semester
  • Complete a FAFSA annually and continue to be eligible for federal Pell grants

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET STARTED

Contact the MATC Promise Office:

In Person: S Building - Room S110, Downtown Milwaukee Campus

By Phone or Email: 414-297-6149 or promisesupport@matc.edu 

Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday

Voice mailbox and email inbox are checked daily (normal response time is 24-48 hours)  

FOR PROMISE APPLICANTS

MATC PROMISE - APPEALS

If you were not accepted into the Promise or disqualified after starting the program and believe this was in error, MATC offers an appeals process. To streamline the process, please provide detailed answers to the questions when you can. Please note that we may ask for records that confirm information you provide. These appeals are reviewed regularly by the college.

Promise Appeal form for both HS and Adult programs (link)