​Financial Aid & Scholarships
 

 Introduction

 

Introduction to Financial Aid:

Financial aid is money provided to help you meet the costs of attending college, and may consist of any combination of grants, loans and work study. Aid is intended to help make up the difference between your educational costs and the amount your family is expected to contribute, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To be eligible for federal and state financial aid programs, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and an admitted, degree-seeking student.
 
The Financial Aid Office strives to ensure all students receive the most favorable aid award possible according to their individual needs and aid availability. Aid is awarded on a priority basis (neediest students receiving more in grants, work study and low-interest loans), and not all students will be eligible for need-based aid.
 

Determining Your Costs:

To assist with your planning, the Financial Aid Office publishes a sample budget illustrating a student's average costs for one academic year. Sample educational budgets for Wisconsin, Minnesota and non-resident students can be viewed here.
 
For more information, visit the Financial Aid site or contact the Financial Aid Office at (715) 346-4771 or finaid@uwsp.edu.
 

 Types of Aid

 

Types of Financial Aid

Grants
A grant is a type of need-based "gift" aid that does not have to be repaid. To be considered for a grant, you must be an undergraduate student seeking your first bachelor's degree.
 
Loans
Several loan programs are available to UWSP students. In some cases, eligibility is based only on financial need, while other loans are available to students regardless of need. Repayment of educational loans begins six to nine months after you graduate or fall below half-time enrollment (less than six credits per semester). Payments may be deferred up to three years for students who go on for additional schooling, the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps*VISTA, disability, military service or full-time teaching in teacher-shortage areas.
 
Employment
There are two types of student employment opportunities: the College "Work Study" Program (federally funded) and "regular work." Only students who demonstrate financial need and request work study on the FAFSA can be considered for work study. Our Student Involvement and Employment Office is ready to assist you in your job search, whether you are seeking regular work or a job through the work study program. You can begin looking for a job as soon as you register for classes. Simply log on to our student employment database to view all vacant positions. Our student employment professionals are actively connected to on- and off-campus employers who are seeking part-time student help.
 
 
 

A UWSP Bonus...Textbook Rental!

Textbook rental covers most of your required textbooks during any given semester, and saves you nearly $600 each academic year. A nominal text rental fee is automatically included in your tuition and fees.
 
For more information, visit the Financial Aid web site or contact the Financial Aid Office at (715) 346-4771 or finaid@uwsp.edu.
 

 How to Apply

 

How to Apply for Financial Aid

  1. Apply for admission to UWSP any time after September 15th of the year prior to which you intend to enroll at UWSP.  Upon receiving your admission letter, pay your $100 enrollment deposit to secure your enrollment at UWSP.

  2. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1st.  There is not a deadline to apply for financial aid.  However, applying early (immediately after completing your federal income tax forms) is your best assurance of receiving aid when you need it.  We recommend you complete your FAFSA by March 15th for priority consideration. 

    Please note:  The FAFSA is free and confidential. Do not pay to file your FAFSA.

    You may apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Be sure to list UWSP as a recipient of your information.  Our FAFSA code is 003924.

  3. After you submit the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) with the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).  The SAR includes the information you provided on the FAFSA; review it for accuracy.  Corrections can be made at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Your aid eligibility will be determined by subtracting the EFC from the cost of attending UWSP, including tuition and fees, room and board, educational materials and personal expenses.

  4. Approximately 30% of the FAFSA applicants are selected for verification; federal regulations require additional information be collected from these families.  If you are among this randomly selected group, you will be sent a "Verification Worksheet" to complete and submit with a copy of your federal tax returns.  Return all verification materials to the UWSP Financial Aid Office as soon as possible to avoid a delay in processing your application.

  5. Once your application is complete and all necessary paperwork has been received, we will consider you for all available grants, loans and work study.  For all prospective students, the awarding process begins in early March.  An award letter will be sent to you showing the specific types and amounts of aid being offered.  You must sign the award letter accepting or rejecting all or portions of your aid, and mail it to the UWSP Financial Aid Office.  If you received an electronic award letter, you may accept your award online.
 
For more information, visit the Financial Aid site or contact the Financial Aid Office at (715) 346-4771 or finaid@uwsp.edu.
 
 
You can receive additional help by attending a local College Goal Wisconsin, a national event that provides free information and assistance to families who are filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
 

 Scholarships

 

UWSP Scholarships

Incoming Freshman Scholarships
 
Scholarships are awarded separately from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Incoming freshman scholarships awarded through the Admissions Office are based on merit, not financial need.   
 
  • Once students are admitted to UWSP, they are considered for all available scholarships using information provided in their admission application (e.g. transcripts). 
  • You should apply to UW-Stevens Point by January 15 to have full consideration for scholarships. 
  • There is not a separate application for the freshman scholarships offered through the Admissions Office.
  • A list of merit-based scholarships is available here.  
  
 

Incoming Freshman, Transfers, and Continuing Student Scholarships 
 
Some academic departments also have scholarship money available, both for new freshmen and continuing students in their second, third and fourth years of college. 
  • Students are encouraged to contact the department of their intended major to explore these additional scholarship possibilities.  
  • A full scholarship listing is available here.
 
 
 
Additional Scholarship Opportunities (Non-UWSP):
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
   
If you have questions about UWSP scholarships, contact Bill Jordan at (715) 346-2441; or the Admissions Office at (715) 346-2441; admiss@uwsp.edu.
 
   
* To download the Freshman Scholarship list, you will need to have a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. This software may be downloaded for free from Adobe Acrobat.