FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS
Eligibility Requirements
Most financial aid programs are based on
financial need. This is demonstrated by applying a federal need
analysis formula to the student and family financial information
provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA). Exceptions to the financial need requirement include
the Wisconsin Academic Excellence scholarship, Counselor’s
Choice scholarships, Return to Wisconsin scholarships, some UW-L
Foundation scholarships, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans and
Federal Parent Plus loans.
Admission to the university is a prerequisite
to consideration for financial aid. Special non-degree students
are not eligible for aid unless they are working toward an
approved license or certificate.
Students must demonstrate satisfactory
academic progress in order to receive aid. Several other federal
and state requirements need to be met in order to receive
financial aid. These include proper citizenship status,
registration with the Selective Service System, and not being in
default on any federal student loan.
Application Procedures
All financial aid applicants must file the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at
www.fafsa.ed.gov. File the
FAFSA by March 15 for priority consideration, although
applications are accepted throughout the academic year. A paper
version of the FAFSA is available by calling 1-800-433-3243 or
selecting “FAFSA filing options’ at
www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov
Students whose application is selected for
verification by the United States Department of Education or the
Financial Aid Office will be required to submit student and
parent federal income tax returns to the Financial Aid Office.
Other documents may also be required.
Notification Dates
Students who complete their application by the
March 15 priority date can usually expect to receive a
financial aid offer by July 15. Students who complete their
application after March 15 will receive a financial aid offer as
soon as possible after July 15. Applications received after June
1 may not be processed in time for students to receive their aid
by the start of the fall semester. These students should be
prepared to pay their initial expenses from their own resources.
Financial Aid Programs
Federal Pell Grant
These need-based grants are available to
qualified undergraduate students.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity
Grant
These need-based grants are available to qualified undergraduate students.
Wisconsin Higher Education Grant
These need-based grants are available to
qualified undergraduate students who are Wisconsin residents.
Talent Incentive Program Grant
These need-based grants are available to
qualified undergraduate students who are
Fund for Wisconsin Scholars
These need-based grants are available to
select group of qualified lower income undergraduate students
who are recent graduates of
Return to
These scholarships provide a 25% discount of
non-resident tuition to children and grandchildren of UW-L
graduates.
Non-Resident Fee Waivers
These need-based grants are available to
residents of states other than
This program is available to eligible veterans
who entered active duty as a
These need-based grants are available to
This program is available to top students at
Counselors Choice Scholarships
These scholarships are available to new ethnic
minority freshmen from
These grants are available to statutorily
defined ethnic minority sophomores, juniors and seniors who are
in good standing academically and are residents of
Native American Indian Grants
(Federal/Tribal/Wisconsin)
Native American students should file an
application with their tribe.
Foreign Student Scholarships
These partial non-resident fee waivers are
available to qualified international students. International
students should file an application with the Office of
International Education.
Academic Initiative Awards
These programs are student funded and offer
funds to international students and students studying abroad.
Students should file an application with the Office of
International Education. Submission of a services plan does not
necessarily guarantee that the student will receive an Academic
Initiative Award.
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan
This loan is available to students who
demonstrate financial need. Students borrow from the Department
of Education and the federal government pays the interest while
the student is in school and until six months thereafter.
Interest is at a fixed rate. Repayment begins six months after
the student ceases to be at least a half-time student.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
This loan does not require that the student
demonstrate financial need as a result of filing the FAFSA. The
terms are the same as the Federal Direct Subsidized Loan except
that the student is responsible for all interest charges from
the date of disbursement of the loan forward. Interest is at a
fixed rate of 6.8%
Federal Perkins Loan
This need-based loan is available to qualified
students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. The loan is
interest-free as long as the student is at least a half-time
student. Repayment begins nine months after the student ceases
half-time enrollment. Limited funding.
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
Parents of dependent undergraduate students
are eligible to borrow from the Department of Education under
this program. To apply, visit www.uwlax.edu/finaid.
Parents must be credit-worthy.
Emergency Short Term Loan
These loans are for emergency purposes only.
The applicant must have completed at least one semester at UW-L,
be in good academic standing and be a full-time student. Apply
at the Student Financial Aid Office.
Federal Work-Study Program
This need-based program provides on-campus and off-campus employment to qualified students. Students who do not qualify for Federal Work-Study can work on campus on the regular student help payroll. These students should apply at academic departments and administrative units. Students can also search for off-campus jobs in the private sector at the Financial Aid Office Web site at www.uwlax.edu/finaid.
UW-L Scholarships
The UW-L Foundation awards several hundred scholarships each year to incoming freshmen and continuing students. For more information or an application, go to www.foundation.uwlax.edu/sch.html or contact the UW-L scholarship coordinator at (608) 785-8491.
Private Scholarships
The UW-L Foundation awards several hundred
scholarships each year to incoming freshmen and continuing
students.
For more information or an application, go to
www.foundation.uwlax.edu/sch.html or contact the UW-L
scholarship
coordinator at (608) 785-8491.