Food Share. Many students are eligible for Food Share. Students can apply on the Access Wisconsin Website. Students must be at least 1/2 time enrolled, not have a meal plan, and:
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- Be eligible for work study (whether or not they are employed), or
- Have an expected family contribution (EFC) of $0. This is based the student’s FAFSA application.
Kinship Food Center (previously Riverwest Food Pantry)
Map of local food pantries: Students can enter the zip code or address of where they are staying. They can also dial 211 from a phone for emergency food assistance and other community resources.
Federal Affordable Technology program. Discounts of up to $30/month for internet service ($75 for qualifying tribal lands) and up to $100 for a 1 time purchase of a laptop. Students who receive Pell Grants and/or Food Share are eligible. The site lists additional ways that students may be eligible.
Students must apply: https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/ AND contact their internet provider (who may have an additional application). Here are a few internet providers:
UWM Laptop and/or Wi-Fi Hotspot Loan Program
UWM Surplus often has reasonably priced computers and laptops available for sale (many for $50 or $100). Go to the Shop UWM Surplus Facebook page to view inventory or contact UWM Surplus by email or phone at 414-659-1391. Surplus is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment only. It is located in the University Services and Research Building north of North First St. and East Capital Drive.
Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program: This program has income guidelines. Students can apply here: https://energybenefit.wi.gov.
Community Advocates offers a range of services including temporary housing, housing vouchers, rent assistance, applications for energy assistance, case management services, etc. They help people before they are homeless and when they are homeless. Their website includes an extensive list of their services.
Social development commission has emergency funds for housing and/or future rents: sometimes up to 12 months.
UWM Fostering Success offers support to students experiencing homelessness.
In general, if students need help with medical bills they can call the billing office and ask for a Financial Counselor or a Case Manager. Here is the information for a few local hospital networks:
UWM Health Center offers several common prescriptions and over the counter medications for a low cost.
GoodRx is a free program that offers discounts on prescriptions.
Prescription Drug Company Discounts. Google “rebate” and the name of your prescription to see if there are discounts advertised online. You many also try contacting the drug company directly to see if they have any programs to help people who cannot afford prescriptions. Often they do (e.g., here is one for Humira).
Badger Care Plus, Wisconsin’s public health care program, might be an option if you have no or low income.
Health Insurance Marketplace. The annual Open Enrollment Period for Health Insurance Marketplace coverage generally takes place from November 1 through January 15 each year.
UWM Health & Wellness Center. Call 414-229-7429 for Medical Services and 414-229-4133 for Counseling Services. You can also check out UWM’s Community Referral Database to find providers in the community that meet your criteria.
UWM Psychology clinic. 414-229-5521. They may do testing for accommodations.
Marquette Community Care Dental Clinic
Free & Low Cost Health Care Clinics
Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division. 414-257-7665. (Psychiatric assessment, Medication evaluation, brief crisis counseling and/or referrals to outpatient. Refers to Outreach Clinic for long-term medication).
Marquette Center for Psychological Services. (training clinic): 414-288-3487
Center for Psychotherapies (St. Joseph’s Hospital). (414) 803-4077. is a community resource for the treatment of individuals with a wide variety of emotional challenges. The Psychotherapy center has an adjustable fee structure.
Aurora Family Service. 414-345-4941
Lutheran Social Services. 414-967-3900
Samaritan Family Wellness: 414-964-4357
Wisconsin Childcare subsidies. Students must meet income requirements; be at least 18 years old and a parent, foster parent, kinship care relative, or a person acting in place of a parent; have a child under age 12 (up to 19 for a child with special needs); be a Resident of Wisconsin; be a U.S. Citizen or qualified immigrant; and use qualifying child care. For more information on eligibility go here: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/wishares/apply.
UWM Career Closet has clothing for students to use during job interviews.
UWM Career Planning and Resource Center assists students with finding employment for current students and alum. They can also help you with your resume.
Handshake is the UWM Jobs website. You can find on and off campus jobs here.
Department of Workforce Development can help with employment services, programs, and unemployment payments.
Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is a part of the Department of Workforce Development. They often have programs designed to support the training, education, and employment of individuals with disabilities. Call DVR at (608) 261-0050 or (800) 442-3477 (Toll Free) to get connected to their services. Their email is dvr@dwd.wisconsin.gov.
Work Study. Check with Financial Aid to see if you are eligible for Work Study. Work Study makes it easier to get an on campus job.
UWM Legal Clinic offers basic legal support. They help students a lot to understand leases, citations, etc. They cannot offer legal advice against UWM.
Marquette Legal Clinic offers free and low cost legal services for the entire community. They offer both appointments and walk in support.
Fostering Success Program is a UWM program that provides a social support network and resources for students who have aged our of foster care or who are homeless/unhoused.
Veterans Affairs (VA) offers health, mental health, and other care and support such as training, education, etc.
Milwaukee County Veterans Services
Military Education Benefits Office is located near financial aid and can help students navigate any state or federal military benefits.
UWM Military and Veterans Resource Center is a support resource for UWM students and also can help connect students to additional community resources.