The scholarship process for all undergraduates and all scholarships (both major specific ones and all general scholarships) begins with UWM’s Panther Scholarship Portal. Graduate students can also follow this process, though most of the available scholarship funding is for undergraduates. See the graduate student funding page for more information.
How and when to apply:
- Log into the portal and your general application. 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).
- In the portal, complete the Letters & Science scholarship
application. Here is where you will 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. - 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.
Students are responsible for reading and understanding UWM’s policies regarding scholarship applications. Please pay particular attention to the section on the use of AI (such as Chat GPT).
In the portal, the Conservation and Environmental Science program offers these scholarships and awards just for their students.
Doris Katherine Derse Scholarship
A scholarship is given annually to bachelor’s degree students majoring in biological sciences, conservation & environmental science, freshwater science or geoscience who has a demonstrated commitment to urban wildlife. Eligible students will have junior or senior standing and a commitment to urban wildlife as demonstrated through research, volunteer experiences, internships or work experience. Competitive applicants will have a minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA. Second degree students are not eligible.
Award: Varies up to $2,000
Donor: Derse Foundation
View in PortalGloria Dixon Dream & Believe Scholarship
This scholarship is given to a student in the College of Letters & Science who meets all of the following criteria:
- Full-time enrollment
- Sophomore or junior standing as of August 31, 2025
- A declared major in one of these: mathematical sciences, applied math and computer science, data science, data analytics, geosciences, neuroscience, physics, biological sciences, microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, or conservation and environmental science (BS only)
- Graduate of a high school in the Milwaukee Public School system (MPS) – preference given to a student who graduated from Riverside University High School
- At least one of these: (1) a demonstrated commitment to, or interest in, racial equity, diversity or social justice or (2) personal circumstances that present barriers to higher education such as experience in foster care, living in a single parent household, having an incarcerated parent, responsibilities for providing financial support or primary care for other household members, or overcoming personal adversity. Students should address this criteria in their application, including for example, an explanation of the personal circumstances or a commitment to diversity and equity as shown by participation in community groups or activities with this focus
- Preference given to a student with demonstrated financial need as shown on the FAFSA
Second degree students are not eligible.
Applications are typically accepted in January. 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 2025 are for Fall 2025; students graduating in May or August 2025 are not eligible.
Award: $2,000
Donor: Darian Dixon ’15
View in PortalHutto-Erdman Conservation Scholarship
When funds are available, a scholarship is given to a junior or senior majoring in Conservation and Environmental Science and enrolled full-time at UWM. Selection of the recipient is based on academic and scholarly achievements. Second degree students are not eligible.
The next time this scholarship will be offered is the 2026-27 school year.
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. Students should thoroughly fill out the Panther Scholarship Portal General Application and the College of Letters & Science Scholarships and Awards Application to be placed into the pool for consideration. 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 2025 are for Fall 2025; students graduating in May or August 2025 are not eligible.
Award: Varies up to $1,000
Donor: Aldo Leopold Conservation Club
View in PortalJeffrey & Carrie Hoye Academic Scholarship
The Hoye Scholarship is funded by a generous donation from Jeffrey and Carrie Hoye. Eligible applicants will be full-time undergraduates, with Junior or Senior standing, who have demonstrated financial need. Other criteria include a minimum 3.25 GPA and a declared STEM major in one of these academic disciplines:
- Applied Math and Computer Science
- Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemistry & Biochemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Conservation & Environmental Science (BS track only)
- Data Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Geosciences
- Industrial Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Math
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Physics
Second degree students are not eligible.
Award: $2,500
Donor: Carrie (Nichols) Hoye and Jeffrey Hoye
View in PortalKarl Maier Jr. Scholarship
This academic merit scholarship is awarded to a bachelor’s degree student who is a declared major in one of the subject areas listed below. Grades and engagement in activities to prepare for a career after college will be considered; a minimum 3.25 cumulative GPA is required and students must hold standing at the sophomore level or higher at UWM. This scholarship is given to a nontraditional student such as:
- a student who did not enroll in any college or university directly out of high school
- a student who started college directly out of high school but did not finish any degree and returned later to complete a degree after not being in school for an extended period of time
- a student who is the primary financial support and caretaker of a child under the age of 18 such as a single parent – a primary caretaker is someone who provides the housing, food, clothing, and other life essentials for a child
- a student who is the primary financial support and caretaker of a disabled or other adult – a primary caretaker is someone who provides the housing, food, clothing, and other life essentials for an adult
Eligible majors include:
- Actuarial Science
- Applied Math & Computer Science
- Biochemistry
- Biological Sciences
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Conservation & Environmental Science (BS only)
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Data Science
- Geosciences
- Industrial Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Mathematical Sciences
- Mechanical Engineering
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Physics
Students who are working on a second bacherlor’s degree are not eligible.
Applications are typically accepted in spring each year between January and February. 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 2025 are for Fall 2025; students graduating in May or August 2025 are not eligible.
Award: Varies up to $2,000
Donor: Mary Maier Walker ’76
View in Portal