Increasing sales of trademarked University of Wisconsin merchandise means the school will have more financial aid money for its neediest students this school year.

The university earned a record $2.8 million in royalties from the sales of sweat shirts, hats, jerseys and other items in the budget year that ended June 30th. That was up $700,000, or 33%, from the previous year.

Half of the money goes to financial aid as Bucky Grants, which are targeted to the poorest undergraduates on campus.

Financial aid director Susan Fischer says the number of students receiving those grants will double to 300 this school year as a result of the increasing sales. And she says the average award will grow by 40% to $4,666.

University licensing official Cindy Van Matre says Wisconsin fans are buying more partly because the Internet has made merchandise more widely available.