Financial Support
A page within Multicultural Student Services
Financial Support Resources
Let's find you help
Financing a college degree can be challenging and our office is here to assist our students and their families with any questions or concerns they might have. OMSS has dedicated staff who are well versed in the financial aspects of higher education. Staff aide students in their search for financial aid and other resources.
There are scholarships and grant programs available in our office, for information please contact Reg Hawkins (rhawkins@uwlax.edu) or (608) 785-8825.
All Students
The items listed below can be available to all students, that includes students thinking about attending, currently attending, and graduate students.
UW- La Crosse Foundation
UW-La Crosse Foundation is for incoming first-year students, transfer, and continuing student scholarships are available through the UWL Foundation. To view this information and application, visit UWL Foundation which administers all Foundation scholarships.
UWL Foundation Scholarships are available each year starting October 1st.
The application deadline is January 15, 2026 at midnight
UWL Foundation scholarships are awarded in late Spring and the funds will be applied the following Fall.
Scholarships
To learn about scholarship opportunities at UWL, please visit It Make$ Cents! UW-LA Crosse also created an “Outside Scholarship” database that will allow a student to search for scholarships related to their identities, major, or the school they are housed. View Outside Scholarships.
FAFSA
Priority deadline to submit your FAFSA is February 1st at UWL (February 1st, 2026 for the 2026-27 FAFSA)
If you have questions about the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), please feel free to check with one of OMSS's Partner in Residence Annabel Bruton (abruton@uwlax.edu) from the Financial Aid Office or connect with a Financial Aid Counselor. To receive general information about the FAFSA, visit UWL’s FAFSA General Eligibility.
To gain more in depth information about FAFSA, visit the Student Guide to Understanding Financial Aid, US Dept. of Education, Smart Student Guide, or Federal Student Aid.
Current Students
Lawton Undergraduate Minority Retention Grants
The Lawton Undergraduate Minority Retention Grant Program is a state-funded grant* program established to financially assist and support students in completing their undergraduate degrees. Full-time students are eligible for funds up to $4,000, for up to four years or 8 semesters based on financial need. Students must complete 24 credits during the academic year to qualify for this Grant.
* UW System Administrative Policy 170 - grant statutorily designated for minority undergraduate students
The Lawton Grant is available to students who meet the following requirements:
- Sophomore standing and above (30 credits or more)
- Minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA
- United States Citizen
- Wisconsin Resident
- Identify as African American, Latinx/o/a, American Indian, Southeast Asian American Student of Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Hmong Heritage
Contact Linli Zou at lzou@uwlax.edu, with additional questions and/or concerns.
Study Abroad Financial Support
Interested in Studying Abroad and wanting to learn about the opportunities to finance your experience abroad, visit Financing Study Abroad.
Native American Indian
For students who identify as American Indian, Native, and/or Indigenous there are state and federal opportunities. To see the available option, please visit:
Indian Student Assistance Grant, an award for “Wisconsin residents who are at least 25% Native American.”
For the Federal Grant option, please visit the Bureau of Indian Education.
