Grants

A grant is gift aid. In most cases,grants do not have to be repaid if the enrollment period is completed A FAFSA must be filed, the student must be an undergraduate seeking a first degree and attending on at least a half-time basis (except for Pell). Awards are for one academic year and require that the student compete a FASFA or Renewal FASFA each year to be considered for continuing eligibility.

Type of Grant

Eligibility

Comments

Federal Pell Grant
  • Award based on financial need; EFC (estimated family contribution) and enrollment status determine amount of award.
  • May be eligible for a partial grant if enrolled for less than half-time (fewer than 6 credits)
  • Award will be decreased if enrolled less than full-time (less-than 12 undergraduate credits).
  • If eligible, full-time academic year awards range from $976 to $5350
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
  • Must also be eligible for a Pell Grant to be considered for this grant.
  • Funds are limited. Students should apply no later than March 1 priority date as funds are awarded first-come, first-served.
  • Award may be reduced for less than full-time enrollment.
  • Maximum award $1,100 per academic year.
Academic Competitiveness Grant
  • Must be eligible for a Pell Grant
  • First-year individuals must have completed a rigorous secondary school program after January 1, 2006; second-year individuals must have completed after January 1, 2005.
  • Second-year individuals must have at least a 3.0 GPA at the end of the first academic year.
  • Award will be decreased if enrolled less than full-time (less-than 12 undergraduate credits)
  • Grants are for first- and second-year undergraduates.
  • Has not previously been enrolled in a program of undergraduate education.
  • First-year award will be up to $750; Second-year award will be up to $1,300.
National SMART (Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent) Grant
  • Must be eligible for a Pell Grant
  • Must be a third or fourth-year undergraduate.
  • Pursuing a major in the physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering (as determined by regulation) or in a foreign language that is critical to U.S. national security.
  • Have at least a 3.0 GPA in coursework required for the designated qualifying major.
  • Award will be decreased if enrolled less than full-time (less-than 12 undergraduate credits)
  • Award is up to $4,000 each of year three and year four.
TEACH (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Grant
  • Full-time enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program of study that will lead to a teaching certificate.
  • Plan to take course work that is necessary to begin a career in teaching.
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25.
  • Sign an agreement to serve in high-need field areas e.g. bilingual education and English language acquisition, foreign languages, mathematics, reading, science, special education; and teach in schools designated as serving low-income students.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  • If you believe you meet this program's criteria and want more information, please go to the web site: https://teach-ats.ed.gov/ats/index.action On this site you will have the opportunity to read about what to expect, learn answers to frequently asked questions, electronically complete the TEACH Grant Initial and Subsequent Counseling as well as the TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve. You will then be contacted by the University with regard to your eligibility and any additional counseling requirements.
  • Students who enroll in a Post-Baccalaureate program are not eligible to participate in this Program at UWM. Students who enroll in the combined Masters/ Post- Baccalaureate program are not eligible to participate while they are enrolled at the Post- Baccalaureate level.
  • You do not have to demonstrate financial need, but must submit a FAFSA.
  • If you fail to complete the service obligation (teaching full-time in high need area serving low income students for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing your program of study) this grant becomes a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Students must then repay these funds with interest added from the date the original grant was disbursed.
Bureau of Indian Affairs Grant
  • Certified one-quarter American Indian by your tribe.
  • Must be enrolled full-time.
  • Submit Indian scholarship application to your tribe.
  • Renewable up to five years.
  • Must send grade report to your tribe each semester to retain consideration for eligibility.
  • Award ranges from $100-$20,000 per academic year.
Wisconsin Indian Grant
  • Wisconsin resident.
  • Certified one-quarter American Indian by your tribe.
  • Some money may be available for graduate students.
  • Maximum of 10 semesters eligibility.
  • Award may be reduced for less than full-time enrollment.
  • Maximum award is $1,100 per academic year.
Wisconsin Higher Education Grant
  • Wisconsin resident attending a Wisconsin public college.
  • Based on Financial need.
  • Maximum of 10 semesters eligibility.
  • Award ranges from $860-$2,980 per academic year.
Wisconsin Grants for Study Abroad
  • Undergraduate Wisconsin resident.
  • Enrollment in a program leading to a first bachelor's degree.
  •  Demonstrated Financial need.
  •  Full-time enrollment in the semester preceding a Winterim or Summer study abroad semester.
  •  Requires student to submit application that is available from Center for International Education Department.
  •  For UWM-sponsored study abroad programs only.
  • Award is up to $2,000 per year; usually up to $1,000 for one semester/session.
Talent Incentive Program
  • Wisconsin resident attending a Wisconsin College.
  • Exceptionally needy.
  • Awarded to first generation college students, disadvantaged, or minorities.
  • Must be first-time freshman and maintain continuous enrollment to be considered for succeeding semesters.
  • Contact nearest Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Center.
  • Eligibility limited to 10 semesters.
  • Award ranges from $800 - $1,800.
Handicapped Student Grant
  • Awarded to students who have a severe or profound hearing or visual impairment.
  • Wisconsin resident.
  • Based on need.
Lawton Minority Retention Grant
  • Minority Wisconsin residents (African-American, American Indian, Latino, and South-East Asian i.e. Hmong, citizens or descendent of Laos, Cambodia or Viet Nam admitted to U.S. after December 31, 1975) who have completed 24 credits and have a cumulative GPA of 2.25 at UWM for the initial award.
  • Award based on need.
  • Eligible students will be contacted by the Financial Aid Office.
  •  Eligibility limited to 8 semesters.
  •  Maximum award is $2,000 per academic year.
  •  Must maintain cumulative GPA of 2.25 to be considered for continuing award.
Fund for Wisconsin Scholars Grant
  • Wisconsin resident
  • Graduated from a Wisconsin Public High School within last three years
  • Full-time, resident student in a Wisconsin public school for four semesters prior to graduation
  • Enrolled full time (12 or more credits) in an undergraduate degree or certificate program
  • Eligible for a Federal Pell grant
  • Have remaining unmet financial need
  • May continue to receive FFWS grant for up to 10 consecutive semesters if eligibility is maintained, adequate academic progress is being made, and degree completion is expected.
  •  Eligibility limited to 8 semesters.
  • Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) will randomly identify recipients from a list of eligible students provided by UWM.
  • HEAB anticipates notifying selected students by 1st week in October.
  • Maximum grant is $3500 per year.

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Financial Aid Handbook for 2009-2010

general information department hours
office hours

Mon: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tues-Fri: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

advising hours

Advising available by appointment Monday - Friday.

NOTE: All hours are subject to change without notice.

contact information
phone and email

Office: (414) 229-4541
Fax: (414) 229-5699
Email: finaid@uwm.edu

mailing address

Department of Financial Aid
University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee
P.O. Box 469
Milwaukeee, WI. 53201-0469