Milwaukee Education Boosted by $100 Million High School Gift and Rising University Scholarships

Two major philanthropic contributions are reshaping higher‑education opportunities in Milwaukee. Anonymous alumni donors pledged a combined $100 million to Marquette University High School, the largest known gift to a single Catholic high school in the United States. The funds will fund scholarships and financial aid, expanding access to the school’s Jesuit program for families across the Greater Milwaukee area.

At the university level, the University of Wisconsin‑Milwaukee reported that scholarship funding grew from $20 million to $30 million between the 2021‑22 and 2024‑25 academic years, while the share of students receiving aid rose from 33 % to 46 %. The increase is driven in part by the Nadella Scholarship, created by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Anu Nadella, which provides full tuition, room and board, and support services to tech‑focused students. The combined effect of these gifts is expanding access to education for a broader segment of Milwaukee’s student population.