Educational Leadership & Director of Instruction
Cost to attend and financial aid
Cost per credit
Financial aid & assistance for graduate students
Graduate school is an investment in your future. At UWL, we offer many types of financial support to help you make that investment.
Advanced Opportunity Program (AOP) Grants
AOP Grants recognize strong academic achievement and potential among newly admitted or continuing students who show financial need. These grants provide graduate tuition support for eligible Wisconsin residents for tuition purposes from traditionally underrepresented minority and non-minority groups (African American, American Indian, Latinx, designated Southeast Asian) and/or economically disadvantaged students in advanced degree programs. Award recipients must be US citizens or permanent residents. Finally, AOP awards are competitive and need-based (FAFSA required).
Receiving an AOP award will require Wisconsin residency for tuition purposes, so please be sure to answer the eApp questions related to residency very carefully if you intend to apply for AOP.
AOP applications will be accepted starting in October of each academic year and evaluated in March; notifications of awards will typically be sent by late March, although any delays in the FAFSA system will delay this timeline. Contact Graduate & Extended Learning for more information.
Veteran Benefits
Student veterans and students who are the dependents of veterans (child or spouse) may be eligible for veteran educational benefits. These can provide significant financial assistance towards educational expenses. The UWL Veteran & Military Connection office can help you with educational benefits, as well as with other aspects of the transition from military to university life.
Some veteran educational benefits require Wisconsin residency for tuition purposes, so be sure to answer eApp questions related to residency very carefully if you intend to use veteran benefits to help fund your graduate studies.
Federal Education Loans
Graduate students may be eligible to borrow under the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan program to assist with the cost of their attendance. The program requires a completed FAFSA. Students who anticipate working in health, education, public service and/or non-profit fields should also understand options for Student Loan Forgiveness.
While UWL encourages students to borrow only ‘what they need,’ loans can ease the burden of paying for graduate education and may be a worthwhile investment. Connect with the Financial Aid Office to learn more and explore your options.
Federal loan eligibility at UWL requires enrollment in at least 5 credits during the term the loan is requested, including summer terms.
Private Student Loans
Students who need additional funds for education, beyond what was awarded on their financial aid award letter, might consider a private student loan. These loans are private educational loans from a lender and are not guaranteed by the federal government. Approval of a private student loan is based on creditworthiness. Most students will require a co-signer.
Scholarships
The UWL Scholarship Resource Center has many resources to help you find scholarships to support your graduate education. You must complete the FAFSA to be considered for some scholarships.
Professional Studies in Education Scholarships
IPSE Scholarship:
We are pleased to announce the offering of scholarships to our entering students for our programs. Scholarships will be available to students with an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) minimum of 3.6. Scholarship will be in the amount of $54/credit. Since our existing tuition is $450/credit, the applied scholarship to qualified applicants will take this amount down to $396/credit. For new students, we will look at your entering undergraduate GPA at application and use that GPA for qualification standards. After initially qualifying for the scholarship at time of application, a 3.6 GPA must be maintained throughout the program to continue receiving the scholarship each term. Scholarship program contingent upon funding and subject to change.
Additional Scholarship/Financial Aid Opportunities:
https://www.uwlax.edu/scholarships/
https://uwlax.academicworks.com/
Teacher Loan Forgiveness Options
https://www.uwlax.edu/graduate-studies/financial-aid2/#tm-scholarships
https://www.uwlax.edu/scholarships/scholarships/database/
Employer Support
An increasing number of employers are investing in the careers of their employees by providing funding for graduate tuition. Not sure if your workplace offers this type of support? Check out this blog post for advice about asking your employer for tuition reimbursement.
At UWL, employees working at least half-time may be eligible tuition support through the Employee Educational Assistance Program.
Emergency Resources
The Office of Student Life has compiled a wide range of resources related to supporting students facing financial difficulties and other challenges. Many of these apply most directly to on-campus students.
Professional Studies in Education Scholarships
IPSE Scholarship:
We are pleased to announce the offering of scholarships to our entering students for our programs. Scholarships will be available to students with an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) minimum of 3.6. Scholarship will be in the amount of $54/credit. Since our existing tuition is $450/credit, the applied scholarship to qualified applicants will take this amount down to $396/credit. For new students, we will look at your entering undergraduate GPA at application and use that GPA for qualification standards. After initially qualifying for the scholarship at time of application, a 3.6 GPA must be maintained throughout the program to continue receiving the scholarship each term. Scholarship program contingent upon funding and subject to change.
Additional Scholarship/Financial Aid Opportunities:
https://www.uwlax.edu/scholarships/
https://uwlax.academicworks.com/
Teacher Loan Forgiveness Options
https://www.uwlax.edu/graduate-studies/financial-aid2/#tm-scholarships
https://www.uwlax.edu/scholarships/scholarships/database/