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The scholarship process for all undergraduates and all scholarships (both major specific ones and all general scholarships) begins with UWM’s Panther Scholarship Portal.

How and when to apply:

  1. Log into the portal and your general application. If you previously filled this out, your answers carry over from year-to-year so that you just need to update it. This must be done a minimum of once per school year but we recommend doing this twice a year at the start of each semester (September and January).
  2. In the portal, complete the Letters & Science scholarship application which consists of just one question - upload a copy of your transcript (also recommended to be done in September and January).

    Completing steps 1 and 2 will match you to most scholarships based on the information you enter.
  3. You may see scholarships on your Panther Scholarship Portal dashboard that you can “Apply To.” These are scholarships which require additional information beyond steps 1 and 2. Complete any of these you wish to apply for.

The Panther Scholarship Portal can also be used to find non-UWM (private) scholarships that have registered with UWM. These may be scholarships sponsored by local or national organizations, fraternal clubs or other companies outside of UWM.


In the portal, the Global Studies Department offers these scholarships and awards just for their students.

Program-Specific Scholarships

Comparative Literature

In addition to campus-wide and college-wide scholarships that you will find on the UWM Panther Portal, the Global Studies Department offers these scholarships and awards just for Comparative Literature students.

Roy Arthur Swanson Comparative Literature Merit Scholarship

The Roy Arthur Swanson Merit Scholarship in Comparative Literature is awarded to a UWM full-time student with a declared Comparative Literature major or minor and a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher in Comparative Literature courses.

Applications are accepted yearly, typically in January/February. Applicants will need to provide a short essay on their interests in comparative literature and a copy of their UWM transcript. Awards given in spring are for the following school year so students graduating that same spring or summer are not eligible. E.G. applications reviewed in Spring 2024 are for Fall 2024; students graduating in May or August 2024 are not eligible.

Award: Varies up to $5,000

Donor: Friends and Family of the late Roy Arthur Swanson

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French

In addition to campus-wide and college-wide scholarships that you will find on the UWM Panther Portal, the Global Studies Department offers these scholarships and awards just for French students.

Leah Fetter Merit Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded in the name of Leah Fetter, a bright and dedicated former student in French at UWM. The scholarship is awarded based on academic achievement and demonstrated financial need to a French major who is going to participate in one of UWM’s study-abroad or exchange programs in a French-speaking country. Applicants must be full-time and have FAFSA information showing financial need to be eligible.

Applications are typically accepted in February and March for study abroad in summer or fall and will include a brief essay on the planned study abroad. Students must also meet the March 1 deadline to apply for study abroad through the UWM Center for International Education.

NOTE: This scholarship is for Milwaukee-campus students planning to study at a program outside of Milwaukee and outside of the United States. This is not for international students coming to the Milwaukee campus to study.

Award: Varies up to $1,000

Donor: The late Dr. Bruce Fetter

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Mariele Schirmer Scholarship in French

The scholarship is open to declared French majors enrolled at least 9 credits during the period of the scholarship. The selection of the recipient is based on academic performance in French and overall academic performance across all courses.

Students who have an up-to-date Panther Scholarship Portal General Application and the College of Letters & Science Scholarships and Awards Application will be considered, typically in spring each year between January and February. No additional or separate application is required; students should thoroughly fill out the Panther Scholarship Portal General Application and the College of Letters & Science Scholarships and Awards Application. Awards given in spring are for the following school year so students graduating that same spring or summer are not eligible. E.G. applications reviewed in Spring 2024 are for Fall 2024; students graduating in May or August 2024 are not eligible.

Award: $1,000

Donor: Estate of Mariele Schirmer

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Martha Best / Martine Meyer Scholarship

This scholarship is offered in the names of two highly esteemed former professors in the UWM French program. Their excellence and dedication set a high standard that our program strives to maintain. The scholarship is awarded based on academic achievement and demonstrated financial need to a full-time undergraduate who is studying French. Enrollment in French coursework is required at the time of application and during the period of the scholarship, but students do not have to be a French major or minor. Only bachelor’s degree students are eligible; associate degree students are not eligible. Preference will be given to students planning to become French teachers. Applicants must have FAFSA information showing financial need to be eligible.

Applications are typically accepted in January and February for the following Fall semester. Awards given in spring are for the following school year so students graduating that same spring or summer are not eligible. E.G. applications reviewed in Spring 2024 are for Fall 2024; students graduating in May or August 2024 are not eligible.

Award: Varies up to $2,500

Donor: Multiple Donors

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Emmanuelle Leah Fetter Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded in memory of Leah Fetter, who was a gifted French student at UWM. The scholarship is awarded based on academic achievement and demonstrated financial need. Applicants must be full-time French majors and have FAFSA information showing financial need to be eligible.

Students who have an up-to-date Panther Scholarship Portal General Application and the College of Letters & Science Scholarships and Awards Application will be considered, typically in spring each year between January and February. No additional or separate application is required; students should thoroughly fill out the Panther Scholarship Portal General Application and the College of Letters & Science Scholarships and Awards Application. Awards given in spring are for the following school year so students graduating that same spring or summer are not eligible. E.G. applications reviewed in Spring 2024 are for Fall 2024; students graduating in May or August 2024 are not eligible.

Award: Varies up to $1,250

Donor: Anonymous

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Global Studies

In addition to campus-wide and college-wide scholarships that you will find on the UWM Panther Portal, the Global Studies Department offers these scholarships and awards just for Global Studies students.

Scholarships

Roberta and J. Martin Klotsche Scholarship

The Roberta and J. Martin Klotsche Scholarship is given to a small number of outstanding juniors or seniors who are declared majors in International Studies or Global Studies. Eligible students will have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.

Students who have an up-to-date Panther Scholarship Portal General Application and the College of Letters & Science Scholarships and Awards Application will be considered, typically in fall each year between September 15 and October 31. No additional or separate application is required; students should* thoroughly* fill out the Panther Scholarship Portal General Application and the College of Letters & Science Scholarships and Awards Application. Awards given in fall are for the following spring so students graduating that same semester are not eligible. E.G. applications reviewed in November 2023 are for Spring 2024; students graduating in December 2023 are not eligible.

Award: Varies from $1,000 and up

Donor: J. Martin & Roberta Roberts Klotsche Trust

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Ian J. Elliott Memorial Scholarship

The Ian J. Elliott Memorial Scholarship is a $1,000 award intended to help cover expenses related to overseas internship or an overseas study abroad. Students must be enrolled as a UWM student and a declared major in Global Studies or International Studies. Qualified applicants will also have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and will have been approved (or be in the process of seeking approval) for a Summer 2024 or Fall 2024 study abroad or internship program through the UWM Center for International Education.

Applications are typically accepted in February for study abroad in summer or fall and will include a brief essay on the planned study abroad. Students must also meet all application deadlines to apply for study abroad through the UWM Center for International Education.

NOTE: This scholarship is for Milwaukee-campus students planning to study at a program outside of Milwaukee and outside of the United States. This is not for international students coming to the Milwaukee campus to study.

Award: $1,000

Donor: Family and Friends of Ian J. Elliott

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Italian

In addition to campus-wide and college-wide scholarships that you will find on the UWM Panther Portal, the Global Studies Department offers these scholarships and awards just for Italian students.

Hilda Becher Modern Language Scholarship in Italian

Students who make exceptional progress in their Italian studies, Italian 203 to 204, are nominated by faculty for these awards. There is no student application process.

Award: Varies up to $500

Donor: The Estate of Hilda Becher

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Giovanni Carini Memorial Scholarship

The Giovanni Carini Memorial Scholarship supports a UWM undergraduate accepted into an approved study abroad experience to Italy. This opportunity is open to any UWM undergraduate student in any major (does not have to be an Italian major) with demonstrated academic merit and demonstrated financial need as shown on the FAFSA. Only bachelor’s degree students are eligible. Associate degree students are not eligible for this scholarship. Students interested in applying will need to submit an essay on their interest and reasons for studying abroad in addition to a transcript.

Applications are typically accepted between February and March each year for study abroad planned for summer or fall of that same calendar year. Students must also apply to the UWM Center for International Education>/a> for approval for summer abroad by their March 1 deadline and must be approved to receive this scholarship.

NOTE: This scholarship is for Milwaukee-campus students planning to study at a program outside of Milwaukee and outside of the United States. This is not for international students coming to the Milwaukee campus to study.

Award: $1,000

Donor: Friends and family of Giovanni (Gon) Carini

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