OSFA and OAR Partner for Hmong New Year Celebrations

With the start of the fall season marks the end of the Hmong festivals and the beginning of the Hmong New Year celebrations. The Hmong New Year is an annual cultural tradition taking place in states and towns across the United States where there are large Hmong communities. At these celebrations, you can find a variety of food and merchant vendors, dancing and singing competitions, free activities (e.g. ball toss), and various organizations looking to share information with the Hmong communities. 
Two HMong women stand in front of a tent and table for UW-Madison.

(Right to Left) Rosie Yang (OAR) and Pa Houa Xiong (OSFA) at the 2023 Oshkosh Labor Day Festival

For the past three years, the Office of Student Financial Aid and the Office of Admissions and Recruitment have actively increased UW–Madison’s presence at both the festivals and Hmong New Year celebrations in Wisconsin. Through conversations with students and families, OSFA and OAR staff shared information about the FAFSA and financial aid process, including the Promise programs, the admissions and application process, and the UW–Madison’s campus culture of research, rich student life, excellence, and inclusion. On average, about 300 attendees visit our table per event. 

Wisconsin & Minnesota 2023 Hmong New Year Celebration Schedule

  • Wisconsin
    • La Crosse: Sept. 23-24
    • Madison: Nov. 4-5 (OSFA & OAR will table)
    • Wausau: Nov. 11-12
    • Sheboygan: Nov. 25-26
    • Milwaukee: Dec. 9-10 (OSFA & OAR will table)
  • Minnesota
    • St. Paul: Nov. 25-26 (OSFA & OAR will table)