Eagle Mail Newsletter

FOLLOWING START: 

• Check your UWL email frequently this summer for important communications. If you need assistance with logging into your UWL email, please call our Eagle Help Desk at 608.785.8774. 

• Please make sure to have your highest official ACT or SAT score sent to the Admissions Office. Scores can be sent through www.actstudent.org (Links to an external site.) or www.collegeboard.org (Links to an external site.) (ACT code: 4672, SAT code: 1914). 

• Official transcripts for AP, CLEP, IB, or college courses should be sent directly to the Admissions Office. Please do not sign up for any first semester courses that you might receive credit for through AP, CLEP, IB, or college coursework. 

• Parking Permits for first-year students are limited. Permit sales will begin in July for students living on campus. For more information regarding permit sales and transportation, please see page 20 of the Resource Guide or click here.   

• Submit your Student Health Forms. 

Don't forget the visit Beyond START to rewatch any presentations or explore topics further.

You can visit our UWL START website to access additional handouts and brochures you received during START.  

WINGS

Your schedule is available on WINGS and you will need to login using your UWL username and password to access your schedule. 

Can I change the courses I am registered for?  

• Yes, on July 7th registration reopened and you are now able to change your schedule. You may only change to courses that have openings and do not conflict with the rest of your schedule. You can find this information on the Class Timetable. 

• Remember, swap don’t drop. If you drop a class, then decide you want it back, someone else may have already added it to their schedule. 

• If you have questions regarding which courses might be appropriate for you to take, please reach out to the Academic Advising Center of the offices of the College Deans. 

EAGLE ID

Your UWL student ID, known as the Eagle ID, will serve many purposes throughout your time at UWL. Due to the significance of the card in your daily life as a student, it is important to become familiar with the functions and features of the card. 

Eagle ID Card Uses: 

• Residence Hall Access 

• Recreational Eagle Center Access 

• Vending Machines 

• WING Technology Center 

• Meal Plans 

• Spend Campus Cash 

• City Bus - Free Rides 

• Attend UWL Sporting Events - Free 

• Rent Textbooks 

• Pay-for-print 

• Access the Campus Food Pantry 

• Voter ID 

Have a question about your Eagle ID? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions page here or contact the Eagle ID/Dining Plan Office at 608.785.8891 or uwlcardoffice@uwlax.edu. 

DINING PLAN AND DINING INFORMATION

Where can I find information about dining plans? 

Learn more about on-campus traditional dining plans, Stryker Classic and Stryker Deluxe, here. You can also find more information about important dates, meal swipes, block meals, and dining dollars.  

Where can I eat on campus? 

Our Campus Dining Locations are listed here. 

The Eagle ID/Dining Plan Office, listed above, can assist you with questions regarding your meal plan. 

If you have special dietary requirements or concerns, please connect with Jess Harke at 608.785.6480 or jharke@uwlax.edu 

CAMPUS FOOD PANTRY

The Leadership & Involvement Center (LIC) coordinates the food pantry on campus that is available to UWL students, faculty, and staff. The Food Pantry is located in 2220 Student Union, inside the COVE.    

Carries non-perishable food items, fruits, vegetables, and personal hygiene items. 

Apply for access to the pantry here. 

CAMPUS THREAD

One of the newest sustainable resources on UWL’s campus is the Campus Thread. Opening in Fall of 2021, the Campus Thread has already been popular among students, even hosting their own sustainable fashion show!  

• The Campus Thread is UWL's FREE clothing closet. We have jeans, pants, blouses, shirts, skirts, dresses, UWL apparel and career clothing! 

• Located in two locations: the Center for Civil Dialogue and Civic Engagement, Career Services (career clothing only). 

U-PASS

The UW-La Crosse U-PASS program for students is provided by your Student Association and includes unlimited access to any Municipal Transit Utility (MTU) bus -anytime, anywhere! Just show your UWL Student I.D. card to the bus driver and you're ready to go anywhere you like. The cost of the program is included in your student fees.  

MTU Bus Routes

OZZI

The Ozzi System gives individuals the opportunity to utilize reusable containers for to-go meals purchased in the Student Union and Whitney Dining Center.

How it works: Purchase a token at the Information Center ($4.00 for students, $5.00 for faculty/staff). This token can be used at any dining location on campus when requesting a to-go meal. When you are finished using a container, scan its bar code and deposit the container into the Ozzi vending machine (flatware not deposited). You will then receive a new token from the machine to be used the next time you want a to-go meal!

Ozzi vending machines can be found across from the dish belt, near Erbert and Gerbert’s, in the Student Union and in the concourse in Whitney Dining Center. 

Thank you to the Green Fund for helping put together this edition of Eagle Mail. The Green Fund is a student-run organization on campus that makes students sustainable ideas – like the OZZI – into a reality! For updates on the Green Fund and to learn how to get involved, follow their Instagram @uwlgreenfund. 

FINANCIAL AID OFFICE

Thank you to the Financial Aid office for highlighting important items that you need to know! If you have questions, please contact Financial Aid directly at finaid@uwlax.edu, 608.785.8604, or visiting their office in 215 Graff Main Hall. 

Completing Entrance Loan Counseling & a Promissory Note 

• First time Federal Direct loan borrowers are required by the federal government to complete Entrance Loan Counseling (ELC) and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) before their loan funds can be disbursed. Both requirements can be completed at https://studentaid.gov.  The ELC informs the student about their rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower. The MPN is a legal document and an agreement to repay all Direct Loans along with accrued interest and fees to the Department of Education. The MPN also explains the terms and conditions of the loans.  

SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE CENTER (SRC) 

Don't Stop Applying! 

• With the fall semester right around the corner, you might think that your chances of receiving a scholarship for the 2025-26 academic year are over but that is NOT the case. While there is a limited window to apply for the UWL Foundation Scholarships (October 1 – February 1), you can be applying for outside scholarships throughout the year. Visit the UWL Scholarship Resource Center offers an Outside Scholarship Database that can be sorted by deadline so give it a shot!   Or take our Get Scholarific Survey for help finding the scholarships that match your unique achievements, experiences, and background. 

• The UWL Scholarship Resource Center will also be hosting presentations and office hours throughout fall semester so fit us into your schedule!  www.uwlax.edu/scholarships 

FERPA

FERPA Secure PIN - Granting Permission to Release Student Record Information 

• Student records are confidential and protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). UWL staff cannot release information related to the student record and/or financial account to a parent, guardian, sponsor, or third-party designee without the student's prior formal consent. However, current students may create a FERPA secure PIN to give to a third party, such as parents or guardians, providing that permission to UWL staff to release the details of the educational record to the person given the PIN.  For more information on setting up a FERPA secure PIN, visit https://www.uwlax.edu/records/ferpa/#tm-ferpa-secure-pin.   

HOW TO LIMIT YOUR LOANS

Only Borrow What You Need 

• This will reduce the amount you will have to repay when you are no longer in school. 

Keep Track of What You Have Borrowed 

• Knowing the amount of your loan debt can help when making decisions about how much to borrow in the future. 

Save Your Summer Wages 

• Use your summer income to help with covering your expenses during the school year. 

Apply for Scholarships 

• Scholarships are free money. Be sure to apply for both UWL Foundation and outside scholarships. 

Complete Your Degree in a Timely Manner 

• Any credits between 12 and 18 taken during a semester are essentially “free” credits. 

Secure a Job 

• Working part-time can provide you additional money needed for living and other expenses. 

Pay Interest As You Go 

• If you can, plan to pay the interest on your student loans while you are still enrolled. 

Pay Your Bill On Time 

• A finance charge is added to your bill each month that the bill is not paid in full. www.uwlax.edu/it-makes-cents