The Office of the Registrar (RO) and University Veteran Services (UVS) have updated the process UW–Madison uses to determine a student’s residency status in response to a new law that makes in-state tuition rates available for more veterans.

2025 Wisconsin Act 155, which Gov. Tony Evers signed into law in April, removed a requirement in the state’s residency for tuition law that a veteran had to be a Wisconsin resident when entering active duty to receive an in-state tuition rate. To qualify under the law now, an eligible veteran must simply be a Wisconsin resident and living in Wisconsin at the time they register for classes at a Universities of Wisconsin institution.

Once the new law took effect, the RO and UVS identified and contacted more than 100 current students who may qualify for in-state rates under the revised statute.

The offices also revised the procedure for determining in-state tuition rate eligibility for veterans applying to attend UW–Madison. This involved updating processes and training to identify appropriate documentation requirements, understand military records and service documentation, and ensure the law is applied accurately and consistently.

Notably, residency specialists in the RO now review and determine whether a veteran’s military service makes them eligible for the tuition exemption. Previously, the RO relied on the Department of Veterans Affairs to verify a veteran’s service under the state’s GI Bill and then only needed to confirm the veteran’s Wisconsin residency. This change was necessary since eligibility requirements for the Wisconsin GI Bill and the residency for tuition law are now different.

Veterans do not need to do anything differently when submitting a residency application. The residency review process already had an option for a veteran to indicate that they may qualify under the residency for tuition statute; the language on the application has been updated to reflect the law change.

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