Admitted transfer student next steps
A page within Admissions
If you have been admitted to the University as a transfer student, congratulations!
We hope that you will find UW-La Crosse to be the perfect fit as you work to complete your college education. All of your next steps are listed below. Feel free to contact the Transfer Admissions Team anytime with additional questions.
Download the Next Steps Checklist that was included with your mailed admission packet by selecting the appropriate starting term below:
STEP 1: WINGS Access
Familiarize Yourself with WINGS
Shortly after you applied for admission you received an email from the UW-La Crosse Admissions Office which contained information about your NetID/WINGS username and password. This information will allow you to log into your WINGS Student Center where you can track the status of your application.
You will use the WINGS Student Center to:
- Monitor receipt of required materials on the “To Do List”
- Update personal information
- View your financial aid package
- View your transfer credit report
- Register for classes and view class schedule
- Access communications
If you have misplaced your NetID/WINGS username or password, use the WINGS password recovery.
If you are having technical difficulties, contact the Eagle Help Desk at 608.785.8774.
If you have questions regarding the information displayed in your WINGS
Student Center after you have successfully logged in, contact the
Admissions Office.
STEP 2: Finances
Financial Aid
The FAFSA is available at www.studentaid.gov. UWL's Federal School Code 003919.
| Students admitted for Winter or Spring 2025 | Complete the 2024-25 FAFSA | Financial Aid Checklist |
| Students admitted for Summer or Fall 2025 |
Complete the 2025-26 FAFSA | Financial Aid Checklist |
| Students admitted for Winter or Spring 2026 |
Complete the 2025-26 FAFSA | Financial Aid Checklist |
Questions regarding Financial Aid can be directed to the Financial Aid Office.
Apply for Minnesota Reciprocity
Minnesota residents can apply online for tuition reciprocity.
Apply for scholarships
Scholarships
Foundation Scholarships (applications due February 1)
Through the UW-La Crosse Foundation, UW-La Crosse is able to award over $500,000 in scholarship money each year. Not only are scholarships available to entering freshman and transfer students, but also to continuing UW-La Crosse students. Admitted students can apply for Foundation Scholarships between Oct. 1 to Feb. 1.
To help you get started, check out these opportunities:
- Donald P. Weber Veterans Scholarship
- The Ronald Stratton Scholarship Program Fund for Transfer Students (CBA/Accountancy)
- Mary O’Sullivan and France Ball WTC Transfer Scholarship (coming soon!)
- Paul Stry Music Memorial Scholarship (SAC)
Last modified: 12/23/2021
Transfer Scholarships through the Admissions Office
In recognition of outstanding academic achievement, UW-La Crosse awards merit/need-based scholarships to incoming students each year through a competitive scholarship awarding process. Incoming transfer students who are admitted by our priority application date of February 1 will be considered for incoming transfer merit/need-based scholarships. There is no separate application to apply. As a student completes the application for admission, please note that cumulative college grade point average, and the college application statement are among criteria that will be reviewed for scholarship purposes.
Distinguished Transfer Scholars Award
This $5,000 scholarship is renewable for one year for a total of $10,000. Renewal of the scholarship is contingent upon your full-time enrollment and achieving and maintaining a 3.0 UW-La Crosse resident grade point average (GPA). The scholarship recipient will be selected based upon information included with the application for admission along with cumulative college grade point average, pell-eligibility and/or underrepresented minority status. The $5,000 scholarship will be distributed in two $2,500 payments, one at the start of each semester, fall and spring. The award money will be applied directly to your student bill.
Distinguished PTK Transfer Scholarship
This $5,000 scholarship is renewable for one year for a total of $10,000. Renewal of the scholarship is contingent upon your full-time enrollment and achieving and maintaining a 3.0 UW-La Crosse resident grade point average (GPA). The scholarship recipient will be selected based upon the information included with the application for admission along with cumulative college grade point average, pell-eligibility and/or underrepresented minority status. Students interested in being considered for the Distinguished PTK Transfer Scholarship must indicate PTK involvement in the activity section of the application for admission. The $5,000 scholarship will be distributed in two $2,500 payments, one at the start of each semester, fall and spring. The award money will be applied directly to your student bill.
Last modified: 01/28/2022
Scholarship Resource Center
The Scholarship Resource Center (SRC) encourages students to focus on alternative funding options that match with their personal achievements and unique personalities. The SRC is committed to helping students identify their strengths, locate scholarships specific to them and prepare/edit supporting materials. To that end we will be offering a number of workshops related to the scholarship application process in the near future.
As part of the SRC, we've created a new online scholarship database. This database allows you to search and filter to easily locate awards you are eligible for. We continue to grow the number of scholarship opportunities everyday, so please check often for new awards.
Please be advised that external scholarships are separate from our UWL Foundation Scholarships.
Last modified: 09/20/2018
STEP 3: Housing and Meal Plans
Apply for Housing
On-campus housing for new transfers is available for Winter and Spring but space may be limited. Please contact Residence Life (housing@uwlax.edu) to inquire about availability.
For future starting terms, please be aware that on-campus housing fills quickly. Submit your housing requests and deposit as soon as possible for the best opportunity to live on campus.
Off-campus housing options are also available:
Purchase a Meal Plan
UWL Dining Services offers an assortment of different dining locations to meet the variety of needs and desires of the campus community. Dining plans provide exceptional value for both residential and off campus members of the University community.
STEP 4: Academic Advising and Registration
Register for TREK
TREK (Transfer Resources and Engagement Kickoff) is a required one-day program comprised of opportunities to help you succeed and successfully transition to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. The day is designed to cultivate relationships with peers and learn about campus resources.
Academic Advising
College of Business Administration students should review their transfer student website.
College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Humanities should review their transfer student website.
College of Science and Health students are invited to visit the CSH Advising website - click on the Admitted Transfer Student button. We can help you understand how your classes transferred and guide you in building a class schedule.
See your admission letter to verify your college assignment.
Placement Testing
At-home exams for University of Wisconsin Placement testing are ready and available to complete.
The University of Wisconsin Placement Tests are used by all UW System schools. If you attended/are attending/had planned to attend another UW System school, you may have already taken these exams.
Scores for the University of Wisconsin Placement Tests are stored in a database maintained by the University of Wisconsin Center for Placement Testing at UW-Madison. If you have taken the tests within the past two years, we can add these scores to your academic record for UW-La Crosse.
In order to do this, please provide your full name, date of birth, and the approximate test date you took the exams, to the C. Criss Gilbert, Testing Coordinator in the Counseling & Testing office.
Mathematics Placement
Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in, coursework equivalent to any of the following UWL courses will satisfy course prerequisites and allow you to enroll in further Mathematics courses: MTH 150 (College Algebra), MTH 151 (Pre-Calculus), MTH 175 (Applied Calculus), or MTH 207 (Calculus I).
If your course transfer evaluation does not grant credit for any of the above courses, UWL will need your UW Mathematics Placement Test scores to determine your placement into the appropriate UWL mathematics course. If UWL does not have your scores on file, you will not be allowed to register for any mathematics course.
If you have any additional questions concerning the University of Wisconsin Placement Test for mathematics or the requirement of the placement test, please contact the Counseling & Testing Center or Dr. Jennifer Kosiak, Mathematics Department.
English Placement
Students who do not have placement scores on file at UW-La Crosse will be required to participate in the multiple measures placement process (MMP) administered by the First-Year Writing Program unless you have completed (or are currently completing) the equivalent of our first-year writing course, College Writing (ENG 110).
If your course transfer evaluation does not grant credit for ENG 110, then UWL will need your UW English Placement Test Score to determine placement into the appropriate UWL English course. If UWL does not have your scores on file, you will be required to participate in MMP. If you do not complete the MMP process, then you will automatically be co-enrolled in ENG 100 (College Writing Workshop) and ENG 110.
If you have any additional questions concerning the UW Placement Test for English or the MMP process, please contact the Counseling & Testing Center or the First-Year Writing Program Coordinator. For more information about the First-Year Writing Program (FYWP) at UWL, please visit the FYWP website or contact Dr. Darci Thoune, First-Year Writing Program Coordinator.
World Languages Placement
The Department of Global Cultures & Languages requires that all transfer students who are interested in continuing their studies in French, German, or Spanish at UW-La Crosse, must take the University of Wisconsin World Languages Placement Test.
Eligibility to enroll in UWL World Language courses is determined by scores on the UW World Languages Placement Test for French, German, or Spanish.
If you have any additional questions concerning the University of Wisconsin Placement Test for World Languages or the requirement of the placement test, please contact the Counseling & Testing Center or the Global Cultures & Languages Coordinator for the language of your interest:
| French | German | Spanish |
| Anna Keefe | Shelly Hay | Dr. Rose Brogham |
You will use your UWL Net ID and password to access the test registration form. These are the same credentials you use to access your UWL email account and WINGS Student Center.
You will be given information about the normal standardized conditions and urged to comply with time limits as best as you can.
It is recommended that the test be taken from a desktop or laptop computer or tablet, but NOT on a phone as the screen is too small.
Upon completion of the test, you will need to click on a button to submit your scores. If you do not, your exam will still be open and your test scores will not be sent to UWL.
Tech support will be available. Scantron will provide telephone and email support to students during testing. M - Th 8:30 am to 8:00 pm, F 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, & Sat 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.
Complete the exams without outside assistance to ensure an accurate placement into UWL courses at your skill level.
Watch for Enrollment Date and Register for Courses
Your registration date will be listed on the right-hand side of your Student Center in WINGS in the “Enrollment Dates” section. This date is the earliest you are able to register for courses. Register as close to your assigned time as possible as courses fill quickly.
| Starting Term | Enrollment Dates will be posted in Wings |
| Fall 2025 | April 2025 |
| Winter 2026 | November 2025 |
| Spring 2026 | November 2025 |
Registration Checklists
| Registration Checklists: | Classes Begin: | Registration Information will be Mailed Beginning: |
| Summer 2025 |
Session 1: May 27, 2025 |
March 10, 2025 |
| Fall 2025 | September 2, 2025 | March 10, 2025 |
| Winter 2026 | January 5, 2026 | October 1, 2025 |
| Spring 2026 | January 26, 2026 | October 1, 2025 |
STEP 5: Final Steps
Pick Up Your Student ID Card
Review the requirements and ID Photo Upload Instructions to submit a photo for your student ID. Then visit the Info Center in the Student Union to pick up your Eagle ID card at your convenience.
Purchase a Parking Permit
| Students admitted for Winter or Spring |
Contact Parking Services directly to inquire about permit availability. |
| Students admitted for Summer or Fall |
Parking permits go on sale in July based on credits earned. |
Rent Textbooks
Textbook Rental is located on the lower level of the Student Union. You will need your student ID card to obtain your list of required books for the classes you have registered for. Be sure to watch your UWL email for updates from Textbook Rental regarding checkout procedures.
For more information, including textbook rental hours, visit Textbook Rental.
Request Updated/Final Transcripts
Your admission has been granted based on your past academic record and any courses in progress. Final admission is contingent upon receipt of updated transcripts by the deadlines specified below.
Deadlines for final transcripts depend on your starting term. Outstanding transcripts will be listed on the “To Do List” in your WINGS student center. To be considered "final," your transcript must include all completed grades, degree conferral date (if applicable), and show no further course enrollments.
Summer/Fall 2025: July 1, 2025
Winter/Spring 2026: January 5, 2026
*Please note, if your current institution's Winter or Summer session overlaps with the start of your first term at UWL, please contact the Admissions Office for support with ordering transcripts on time.
Request Military Transcripts
Military transcripts are not required for admission; however, students at UWL may earn credit for the completion of basic training, advanced individual training, and military service school based on recommendations of the American Council on Education.
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard should request that an official copy of their Joint Services Transcript (JST) be sent to UWL Admissions.
Air Force should request that an official copy of their Community College of the Air Force Transcript be sent to UWL Admissions.