There are two basic types of financial aid – gift aid and self-help aid. Scholarships and grants are forms of gift aid as these are sources of aid that typically do not need to be repaid, provided the enrollment period is completed. Self-help aid refers to sources of aid that the student needs to either earn or pay back. Loans and Federal Work Study are forms of self-help aid.
University-Wide Aid
Federal & Wisconsin Grants
Loans
New Freshmen University-Wide Scholarships
Undergraduate Research
Graduate Student Funding
UWM Private Scholarships
Work Study
Midwest Residence Savings
UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts participates in the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP), which awards reduced tuition rates to midwest residents. Learn more about how to determine your residency for tuition purposes and explore undergraduate or graduate costs below.
Peck School of the Arts Aid
Students are eligible to receive PSOA specific scholarships after filling out the general scholarship application and a supplemental department application (if applicable) by logging in to the Panther Scholarship Portal found on the UWM scholarship page. Students must also have a declared major in Art & Design, Dance, Film, Music, or Theatre.
Art & Design
The Department of Art & Design distributed $169,000 in scholarships and fellowships to students for the 2022-23 academic year.
Undergraduate students with a declared major in Art & Design should fill out the general scholarship application and a supplemental department application (if applicable) by logging in to the Panther Scholarship Portal found on the UWM scholarship page.
In addition, incoming undergraduate students should submit 8-10 examples of artwork from the past two years to the Art & Design portfolio submission form by December 15 for priority consideration. If including drawings, we recommend at least three from observation (not photographs). Identify each image by media, size, and year of completion in a separate document. JPEG files at 2000px max preferred.
Graduate students are eligible for Advanced Opportunity Program Fellowships, Chancellor’s Graduate Student Awards, Layton Fellowships, and Layton Research and Travel Awards. To learn more and apply, see Types of Funding for more information.
Questions: art-admission@uwm.edu
Dance
The Department of Dance distributed $42,000 in scholarships to students for the 2022-23 academic year. Undergraduate scholarships range from $500-$3,000 per year (amount split over fall/spring semesters), and departmental graduate scholarships range from $500-$4,000. In most cases, students may be awarded multiple awards.
Undergraduate students with a declared major in Dance should fill out the general scholarship application and a supplemental department application (if applicable) by logging in to the Panther Scholarship Portal found on the UWM scholarship page.
Graduate students are eligible to receive summer session Departmental and Chancellor Awards, which are awarded based on faculty nomination following review of the student’s entrance application materials. The Chancellor Award can only be awarded twice. UWM’s Graduate School also awards several assistantships, fellowships, and travel awards every year.
Due to the program structure, the UW-Milwaukee Dance Department does not offer any Teaching or Project Assistantships to MFA students.
Questions: dance-scholarship@uwm.edu
Film, Video, Animation and New Genres
The Department of Film, Video, Animation and New Genres distributed $32,000 in scholarships to students for the 2022-23 academic year.
Undergraduate students with a declared major in Film, Video, Animation and New Genres should fill out the general scholarship application and a supplemental department application (if applicable) by logging in to the Panther Scholarship Portal found on the UWM scholarship page.
In addition, incoming undergraduate students interested in the Robert A. Nelson scholarship should prepare a 500-word (or less) writing sample by January 15 that addresses the creative writing prompt provided within the Panther Scholarship Portal.
Graduate students are eligible to receive one of our 4-5 Teaching Assistantships awarded annually, which include full tuition remission, annual stipend, and affordable state health coverage through the University. Students are also eligible for Chancellor’s Graduate Student Awards that normally average $6,500 each and are invited to apply to two other scholarships listed below. Distinguished Graduate Student Fellowships, Advanced Opportunity Program Fellowships, and other aid available through the Graduate School. If you feel you qualify, please notify film-grad-admission@uwm.edu prior to December 1st.
Questions: film-admission@uwm.edu
Film, Video, Animation and New Genres Scholarships
Music
The Department of Music distributed $198,000 in scholarships to students for the 2022-23 academic year.
Undergraduate students with a declared major in Music should fill out the general scholarship application and a supplemental department application (if applicable) by logging in to the Panther Scholarship Portal found on the UWM scholarship page.
Graduate students who are enrolled in at least 6 credits in any Music program are eligible for scholarship support. Graduate Project or Teaching Assistantships (usually 33%), Chancellor’s Graduate Student Awards, and Non-Resident Tuition Remissions are also available. All graduate awards are based on faculty nomination following the student’s application, entrance audition and/or first year in program. Project and Teaching Assistantships appointed at 33% or higher receive full tuition waivers plus a stipend and benefits.
Graduate students can also apply for the following types of funding: UWM Graduate School’s Distinguished Graduate Student Fellowship, Advanced Opportunity Program Fellowship, and/or Graduate Student Travel Awards.
Questions: music-admission@uwm.edu
Theatre
The Department of Theatre distributed $58,000 in scholarships to students for the 2022-23 academic year.
Undergraduate students with a declared major in Theatre should fill out the general scholarship application and a supplemental department application (if applicable) by logging in to the Panther Scholarship Portal found on the UWM scholarship page.
Questions: theatre-admission@uwm.edu