The reduced cost parking permit program provides a discounted rate on annual base lot and UW-Accessible parking permits for eligible UW employees, UW Hospital and Clinics employees, and UW graduate and professional students. Reduced cost base lot permits are available in any parking lot where annual base lot permits are available.
Reduced and low-cost parking options were introduced November 2020. The program expanded in the 2022-23 parking year. UW-Madison campus administration has collaborated with Transportation Services to continue the reduced cost program through 2023-24 and 2024-25 parking years.
2024-25 Reduced and Low-Cost Parking Options
Reduced cost parking eligibility
2024-25 parking year
(September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025)
- UW employees and graduate/professional students with a gross hourly pay rate less than $21.63 per hour.
- UW Hospital and Clinics employees with a gross hourly pay rate less than $30 per hour.
The gross pay rate eligibility threshold does not include lump sum bonuses or overtime.
These criteria were set with guidance from the Office of Human Resources (OHR) and were approved by campus administration.
Reduced cost parking options for the 2024-25 parking year
Annual base lot permits are available at a reduced cost for eligible applicants. All applicants are automatically considered for the reduced cost program. Eligibility for the reduced cost price is based on the qualifying salary on the date the permit is offered— not the application date. Learn how to apply.
UW employees and graduate/professional students with HR appointments. When selecting lot choices on your parking permit application, you may select any parking lot where regular-priced base lot permits are available.
Graduate/professional students without HR appointments. Reduced-cost permits are only available to you in select parking lots. When selecting lot choices on your parking permit application, choose only these lots to be considered for the program: 46, 67, 75, 76, and 83.
For parking rules, read the parking permit terms and conditions policy.
2024-25 reduced cost annual base lot permits
Cost: $618
Valid: September 1, 2024 through August 31, 2025
Eligibility
- UW employees and graduate/professional students with a gross hourly pay rate less than $21.63 per hour.
- UW Hospital and Clinics employees with a gross hourly pay rate less than $30 per hour.
- For more information on eligibility, read the reduced cost parking permit policy.
Reduced cost UW-Accessible permits are available to eligible applicants. Applicants are automatically considered for the reduced cost program. Eligibility for the reduced cost price is based on the qualifying salary on the date the permit is offered— not the application date. Learn how to apply.
Reduced cost UW-Accessible permits are available those who qualify for an annual UW-Accessible parking permit. Read the ADA/accessible parking policy.
2024-25 reduced cost UW-Accessible permits
Cost: $618
Valid: September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024
Eligibility
- Must qualify for an annual UW-Accessible parking permit.
- UW employees and graduate/professional students with a gross hourly pay rate less than $21.63 per hour.
- UW Hospital and Clinics employees with a gross hourly pay rate less than $30 per hour.
- For more information on eligibility, read the reduced cost parking permit policy.
Semester permits will be available to purchase in the eBusiness purchasing portal.
- Fall semester 2024 permits will be available online beginning August 1, 2024.
- Spring semester 2025 permits will be available online beginning December 4, 2024.
Availability is limited in Lots 67 and 76. Restrictions may apply.
2024-25 semester permits
Cost: $259 per semester
Fall 2024 permits valid September 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024
Spring 2025 permits valid January 1, 2025 through May 31, 2025
Eligibility
- UW graduate and professional students with a gross hourly pay rate less than $21.63 per hour.
- For more information on eligibility, read the reduced cost parking permit policy.
Other low-cost parking options include park and ride permits, afternoon permits, and night permits. For current rates, check the rates page.
Afternoon and night permits are available for online purchase in the eBusiness portal or at an office location. They do not require an application.
Park and ride permits require an application. Learn how to apply.
For more low-cost commute options, check these offerings from our Commuter Solutions program:
Metro Transit and Department of Transportation park and rides
How to Get Reduced Cost Parking
These conditions must be satisfied to be considered for the reduced cost parking program.
- Be eligible to apply for a UW parking permit.
- Complete an application for an annual base lot or UW-Accessible permit.
- Receive an offer for an annual base lot or UW-Accessible permit.
- Have an eligible salary at time of permit purchase.
Eligibility for the reduced cost price is based on the qualifying salary on the date the permit is offered— not the application date.
Permit availability may be limited.
Student Eligibility
In most cases, UW graduate and professional students with a UW or UW-affiliated employment appointment, such as a teaching, project, or research assistantship, are eligible to apply for parking and are therefore automatically considered for the reduced cost permit price.
UW graduate and professional students without a UW or UW-affiliated employment appointment, or with an appointment classified as “student help,” must apply for parking in lots 46, 67, 75, 76, or 83 through the student parking process to be considered for the reduced cost permit price. Learn how to apply through the student parking process.
Undergraduate students are not eligible to receive the reduced cost permit price.