GREEN BAY, Wis. — All high school seniors graduating from Green Bay Area Public Schools in 2024 will be directly admitted to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, officials announced Monday.

It's the first direct college admissions initiative in Wisconsin.

UW-Green Bay officials said this initiative will help remove financial as well as application barriers for students. Specifically, it will make education more accessible for students that may want to continue learning after high school but prefer to stay local for college or can’t afford the cost of living for a dorm. It also targets those who want to work while in school. 

“We are extremely excited to begin this partnership with Green Bay Area Public Schools,” said UW-Green Bay Chancellor Michael Alexander. “This program speaks directly to the student who might not have thought of themselves as continuing their education after high school. It says to them ‘UW-Green Bay believes in you and your future.’”

The partnership moves families and students with GBAPS directly into contact with UW-Green Bay career counselors, who will help them navigate financial needs or other special circumstances.

Counselors will also talk with students about their goals for the future to determine a path for success at the college and provide helpful resources.

Alexander said this program will be a “game-changer” for students and the Green Bay area.

 “We need to support anyone who wants to learn at any point in their lives, and we need to help produce the kind of learners and workforce talent that will sustain and grow our region,” said Alexander. “That requires welcoming more learners in, not shutting them out through a complex application process. We think this is a game-changer that will help make that happen.”  

UW-Green Bay is beginning to pilot the direct admission program with 31 local students in 2023. So far, at least 21 of those students have already committed to attending the college. 

“This is one more way that we are working to rethink how education in our region can be of value to as many people as possible so that no matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you want to be, you have the opportunity to learn and continue to rise throughout life,” said Alexander.

Additional information on the 2024 Direct Admit program can be found by visiting the UW-Green Bay website.