Special non-degree student/HS special
A page within Admissions
You may be a special non-degree student if you are:
- a student at another university looking to enroll at UW-La Crosse for the summer or winter session and planning to return to your home university
- an individual desiring to audit or take courses for credit, but does not expect to earn a degree from UW-La Crosse
- an individual looking to take courses toward a graduate program for which you need to complete additional prerequisites
- a high school student looking to take college courses, including in the Early College Credit Program and as a High School Special (please see bottom of page for more detailed instructions).
- A student at another university looking to participate in a UWL education abroad program and planning to return to your home university after your experience abroad.
Students may later be admitted as an undergraduate degree-seeking student provided they submit complete transcripts of previous work and meet admission requirements. Courses completed as a special non-degree student at UW-La Crosse will then be evaluated for credit.
Special non-degree students apply using the online UW System application. Select the appropriate reason for applying and choose "Undergraduate Special/Non-degree" in the "Applying As" field.
Class descriptions, offerings and times are accessible in the UW-La Crosse course catalog and class timetable. Special non-degree students register after degree-seeking students. Registration instructions are sent to admitted special non-degree students as the scheduled enrollment date for each term approaches.
The WINGS Student Center will not allow you to register for courses that are full or require special permission from the instructor, department chair, and/or dean. Permission is obtained through override forms that are available from department offices. All override forms must be taken to the Office of Records and Registration in 117 Graff Main Hall.
The tuition and fee schedule can be used to estimate the approximate cost to attend. Minnesota residents should apply for reciprocity. Special non-degree students can visit the UW-La Crosse Parking and Transportation Services website for information about on-campus parking options. Please note: If you are a special non-degree student, you are not eligible to receive financial aid, unless you are working for a qualifying, approved license/certificate or completing undergraduate coursework to fulfill pre-requisites for a master's program.
EARLY COLLEGE CREDIT PROGRAM AND HIGH SCHOOL SPECIAL STUDENTS
UW-La Crosse offers enrollment for high school students who wish to pursue university coursework while completing their high school studies. Special admission is granted only to those qualified applicants who demonstrate that they are prepared for college courses.
There are two ways to study at UW-La Crosse while still in high school:
- Early College Credit Program (ECCP) - High school students at public and private high schools in Wisconsin can earn college credit through the Early College Credit Program. A student selected for the program may be permitted to enroll at UW-La Crosse to take one or more courses for which the student may earn high school credit, post-secondary credit, or both. Payment of tuition and fees is determined by the high school. Cost is 1/3 of regular tuition and fees.
- High School Special - High school students can earn college credit by taking courses through UW-La Crosse. The student is responsible for all tuition and fee payments. If you are a concurrent enrollment student (taking a course at your high school or through the Health Science Academy for UW-La Crosse credit), please use this form.
All prospective students who have not graduated from high school must complete an Early College Credit Program and High School Special Agreement Form for each term (fall, spring, summer) they wish to enroll in university courses. Admission of high school students who wish to pursue university coursework does not guarantee that they will be able to register for a specifically approved course. Registration is on a space available basis. All candidates must complete appropriate preparatory high school coursework, prerequisites and/or take appropriate placement tests for college courses.
Early College Credit Program and High School Special students must abide by all regulations, policies and procedures of the university as outlined in the university catalog, semester timetable and official university documents. These include, but are not limited to, the university drop, withdrawal, tuition refund, grading and attendance policies. In addition, all students must comply with the rules set forth by instructors. Courses taken at UW-La Crosse become a part of the student's permanent university record and may affect subsequent admission eligibility to postsecondary institutions.
| Admission Requirements | UW System Application Deadlines* | Registration Begins** | |
| Early College Credit Program (School determines tuition payment; 1/3 of regular tuition and fees) |
HS Seniors: Must rank in upper 25% of HS class -OR- score a 26 or greater on the ACT |
Six weeks prior to start of classes Fall 2022: August 2022 Spring 2023: December 2022
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Fall 2022: August 2022 Spring 2023: December 2022
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HS Juniors: Must rank in upper 10% of HS class |
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| HS Sophomores: Must rank in upper 10% of class and interview may be required | |||
| HS Freshmen: Must rank in upper 10% and interview may be required | |||
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HS Special (Student is responsible for all tuition and fees) |
HS Seniors: Must rank in upper 25% of HS class -OR- score a 26 or greater on the ACT |
Six weeks prior to start of classes Fall 2022: August 2022 Spring 2023: December 2023
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Fall 2022: Spring 2023: December 2023
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| HS Juniors: Must rank in upper 10% of HS class | |||
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HS Sophomores: Must rank in upper 10% of HS class and interview may be required |
*Early College Credit Students: Your Early College Credit Program and High School Special Agreement Form is due to your school district by Feb 1 for summer, March 1 for fall, and October 1 for spring.
** Early College Credit Program/High School Special students register during special student registration on a space available basis. High school students register after UWL degree-seeking students have registered and therefore course availability is limited.
Application process expanding boxes
Application Process
- Obtain and complete an Early College Credit Program and High School Special Agreement Form. Please note that a form must be completed for each term you wish to enroll at UW-La Crosse. Upon notification of your school district's approval of the course(s), complete the UW-La Crosse application process and work with the UWL Admissions Office and your high school counselor to enroll in the appropriate class.
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- Apply online as an Early College Credit Program/High School Special student using the UW System application. An application fee is not required.
- Submit an official high school transcript, sent directly from your high school, to the Admissions Office.
- Submit ACT or SAT scores, if applicable. A copy of the school or student ACT score sheet is acceptable for Early College Credit Program and High School Special students.
- University of Wisconsin Placement Test and AP test scores (if applicable) must be submitted for Chemistry, Computer Science, English, Math, Modern Language and Physics courses.
- After admitted as an Early College Credit Program or High School Special student, review the college information.
Procedures for Billing and Payment of Tuition and Fees
Early College Credit Program (payment of tuition & fees determined by high school; cost is 1/3 of regular tuition & fees):
- Students must notify their guidance office or school district of their intention to take courses at UW-La Crosse and the school district will determine whether the student is approved to take courses and whether high school credit and/or fee payment will be granted.
High School Special (student is responsible for payment of tuition & fees):
- Students may have greater flexibility in course selection, but these students are required to pay for courses on their own. Students will be billed according to the fee schedule listed on the UW-La Crosse Cashier's Office webpage.
Registration, Billing and Responsibility for Payments
Early College Credit Program/High School Special students should register by following the instructions provided to them by the Admissions Office.
If responsibility for payment lies with the student and/or parent/guardian/foster parent, normal billing policies and procedures will apply. If responsibility lies with the school district, the university will bill the school district according to the university's normal billing schedule.
Withdrawal/Drop Policies
If a student drops a course or withdraws from the university, the party responsible for payment of tuition and fees will be responsible for all costs and incurred to the date of the drop/withdrawal based on the university's refund policy.
Finance Charges
If the party responsible for the payment of tuition and fees fails to comply with the payment schedule, finance charges will accrue on the balance due from the billing due date.
Textbook Information
Textbook rental is included in undergraduate students' tuition and fees. Main textbooks can be checked out in the beginning of the semester and must be returned after final exams. If a class is dropped, textbooks from that class must be returned immediately so another student can use. If a textbook is lost, the student must pay the replacement price of that textbook before checking out another textbook. Materials must be returned by the due date stated by the university. If textbooks are not returned by the due date, a fine will be charged. Failure to return textbooks will increase the fine.