Physician Assistant Studies
Cost to attend and financial aid
Cost per credit
The Cashier's Office determines refund deadlines for students withdrawing from the program.
Financial assistance for graduate students
Application Fee Assistance for McNair Scholars
UWL will pay the graduate school application fee for McNair Scholars. To receive this benefit, request an application fee payment form from your undergraduate McNair Scholars office, or download a copy. Email your completed form directly to admissions@uwlax.edu or mail it to the address below.
Then, when completing the UW System application, simply skip the application fee payment section. Once we receive your form, your application will be updated in our system to confirm the payment requirement has been completed.
Graduate Admissions Office
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
Advanced Opportunity Program (AOP)
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 Services 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 and/or the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan programs to assist with the cost of their attendance. Both programs require 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.
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
*(scholarship info from OT, updated info coming)
UWL Foundation Scholarships
Incoming and continuing UWL students are invited to take advantage of a new online system to apply for scholarships. Students can search and apply for any of the more than 300 scholarships available through the UWL Foundation. For further information please visit – UWL Foundation Scholarships
General UWL Foundation Scholarships applicable to HP Dept grad students
- UWL Alumni Association Membership Committee Alumni Network Scholarships ($1,000)
Applicant/Recipient must be a UWL alum who is also a member of the UWL Alumni Association; or a child, grandchild, sibling, niece or nephew of a UWL alum who is also a member of the UWL Alumni Association - UWL Alumni Association Scholarship ($1,000)
UWL alum or child or grandchild of an alum - American Association of University Women Scholarship ($1,000)
Established by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) to recognize academic excellence. (The criteria describes undergraduates recipients but a health professions graduate student with a compelling story has received this in the past.) - Lillian Neale Campbell Scholarship Fund (50 x $1,000)
Mrs. Campbell created this fund to support students enrolled in educational programs which impact the care and treatment of persons with physical disabilities. Recipient must be accepted into a program involving the care and treatment of persons with physical disabilities, i.e., Adapted Physical Education, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, or Therapeutic Recreation - Jean L. Foss & Norene A. Smith Organization for Campus Women (OCW) Scholarship ($1,000)
Established by the OCW in 1985 to assist non-traditional women students. - Gund Family Scholarship (at least $500/ may be renewable)
Established by the Gund family which is an old established family in La Crosse to support students at UWL. - Robert Jed Huff Memorial Scholarship (at least $500)
Established by William and Marilyn Huff Nieckarz. Fund is established in memory of Marilyn's son, who attended UW-La Crosse. - Col. Edwin L. Overholt, M.D., Family Scholarship for Wisconsin Veterans Fund ($1,000)
This scholarship was established in 2010 by the Overholt Family in honor and memory of their father, Dr. Edwin L. Overholt. (This unique scholarship is specifically targeted for WI veterans enrolled in a program related to a healthcare) - Rotary Works Foundation Scholarship ($1,000)
This award is for area high school graduates funded by a grant from the Rotary Works Foundation. (This scholarship criteria includes "graduate of Central, Logan, Aquinas, Onalaska, Holmen, West Salem, Luther or La Crescent high schools") - Teamsters Brewery Workers/Local 695 Scholarship ($200)
Established to provide financial assistance to sons and daughters of Local 1081 members. - Donald P. Weber Veterans Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)
Established in 2008 by Donald J. and Roxanne Weber of La Crosse, Wisconsin, in honor of Don's father, Donald P. Weber. Both Weber men are veterans of the Armed Forces with Donald P. serving in WWII and Donald J. in Vietnam. American Veterans have selflessly protected and defended us through the years. Without them, we would not be able to enjoy the freedoms we have today. This fund was established to support Wisconsin veterans who want to attend a UW System institution of higher learning.
For more information please visit UW-La Crosse Foundation Scholarships
Additional Scholarships
- Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS)
Promote diversity among health profession students and practitioners by providing scholarship funding for disadvantaged students and minorities enrolled in health professions and nursing programs. Approximately $46 million is available to support 400 awards. To learn more please visit SDS - AOTA E.K. Wise Scholarship
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is pleased to announce the 4th annual call for applications of the AOTA E.K. Wise Scholarship. Previously known as the E.K. Wise Loan Program, the fund was established in the 1960s through the generous bequest of Elizabeth K. Wise to support women pursuing higher education degrees. The scholarship fund reflects the changes that have occurred in the education of entry-level occupational therapists over the last several decades while remaining true to the intent of the original bequest. The focus of the scholarship will be to support female students who can meet E.K. Wise’s and the Association’s objectives of developing a workforce to meet society’s diverse occupational needs in underserved areas or communities. The scholarship supports female students pursuing a post baccalaureate entry-level degree program in occupational therapy. Three awards will be granted annually in the amount of $5,000. All application information can be found on the AOTA Web site. Please note that students who have a letter of acceptance to an entry-level occupational therapy educational program may also apply. Last year we received close to 150 applications for the 3 scholarships. - American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF)
Scholarships Available for Students in Wisconsin schools (State Association Scholarship) from the American Occupational Therapy Foundation ($2000 - $2500) To learn more please visit AOTF - Wisconsin Paralyzed Veterans of America (WPVA)
Scholarships Available from the Paralyzed Veterans of America ($500 to $2000). The Wisconsin Paralyzed Veterans of America (WPVA) will continue to offer the Bea Root Scholarship Program and oversee the Kathy Welter Memorial Nursing Scholarship. The forms for each of these aforementioned scholarships may be found and downloaded from our website. - Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation
Through a variety of funds, the Foundation offers scholarships to students enrolled in allied health careers with direct patient care, including occupational therapy. Applications are available on the Foundation's website.
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. There are also emergency funds available to support students impacted by COVID-19, whether they are enrolled in on-campus, online, or hybrid programs.
PA and Health Profession Scholarship and Repayment Opportunities
Student Employment
Graduate students are eligible for part-time employment as student workers, the same as undergraduate students. Graduate students are encouraged to carefully consider the timing and workload of employment, to ensure their academic success.
Student Employment does not make you eligible for health insurance through the university. Student employment positions are paid hourly, and the rate of pay differs across positions. Open positions are listed online in Handshake.