Tuition and Fee Appeals

All students are expected to thoroughly read the UWM financial policies including reviewing the Interactive Add/Drop Calendar for information on the late registration fee period and understanding the fee assessments for dropping or withdrawing from classes. All students, regardless of circumstances, are subject to the published UWM tuition and fee policies. These policies are guided by the UW System Tuition and Fee Policies. Refund policies related to dropping or withdrawing from courses are found under C4: Refunds/Withdrawals/Drops

As governed by UW System policy, exceptions to any of the stated procedures, provisions, etc., due to extraordinary circumstances or university error can be made by the Dean of Students Office. 

What Circumstances Qualify for a Tuition and Fee Appeal?

Qualifying Circumstances

Students may be eligible for a Tuition and Fee Appeal for cases of:

  • university error.
  • nonattendance at the institution after having enrolled in one or more courses.

Approval is not guaranteed, and it will be granted on a case-by-case basis.

Non-qualifying Circumstances

Unfortunately, students are not eligible for a tuition and fee appeal for the following circumstances:

  • Lack of awareness or misinterpretation of UWM policies (e.g., add/drop policies, fee deadlines).
  • Obtaining new employment; changes in hours/location of employment .
  • Dropping course(s) to avoid failure or low grades.
  • Dissatisfaction with instructor, course content, delivery of instruction, or academic progress.
  • Change or major; changes in academic and/or personal goals.
  • Forgetting one was registered for the course.
  • Being overwhelmed by academic, work, or personal circumstances.
  • Lack of familiarity with computer systems.
  • Insufficient financial aid and/or financial hardship.

Students are ineligible for a tuition and fee appeal during semester(s) in which they are going through disciplinary proceedings or are suspended or expelled from UWM.

What If I Experienced Health Challenges?

Students who experience a serious and unexpected condition during the academic semester that completely prevents them from being able to function as a student may apply for a Medical Withdrawal.  Please review our Medical Withdrawal page for more information on this process and to apply for a Medical Withdrawal.

What is the Deadline to Apply for a Tuition and Fee Appeal?

Students may apply for a tuition and fee appeal up to one year after the end of the term in question (e.g., requests for the fall 2020 semester must be submitted no later than the fall 2021 semester).

What Should I Do Before Requesting an Appeal?
  • Students should consult with their academic advisor before dropping classes. Advisors can help a student determine if dropping/withdrawing is the best option.
  • Students should speak to a Financial Aid advisor if they receive loans, scholarships, veteran’s benefits, grants, assistantships, etc., to see how dropping or withdrawing from courses will affect their financial aid package. Dropping courses or withdrawing may cause a student’s financial aid package to be recalculated. Students may also need to complete a separate appeal with the Financial Aid Office.
How Do I Apply for a Tuition and Fee Appeal?

Students who believe they have a qualifying experience can request an exception to the published fee policies.

  • Students who request a reduction in tuition and fees must drop their courses before an appeal coordinator can review the appeal. Students should work with their academic advisor to request a late drop/withdrawal if they cannot drop their courses via PAWS.
  • Students who request the reversal of a late registration fee due to university error do not have to drop their courses.

How to Apply:

  1. Complete the Tuition and Fee Appeal and Medical Withdrawal Request Form. Please fill out as much information as possible. If you do not have a piece of information, leave the space blank.
  2. Provide a statement. Within your application, provide a https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?UnivofWisconsinMilwaukee&layout_id=19statement regarding the circumstances that led to your appeal.
  3. Attach Supporting Documentation. In your application, attach documentation that substantiates the circumstances of your appeal. Blanket exceptions are not authorized.

Tuition and Fee Appeal and Medical Withdrawal Request Form

What Happens After I Apply for a Tuition and Fee Appeal?

Once the Dean of Students Office receives a request, a staff will briefly review the request. A Dean of Students Office staff member may require the submission of additional supporting documentation.

When the request is complete with all supporting documentation, a Dean of Students Office staff member will email the student to schedule an appointment to discuss the circumstances warranting an exception. This meeting may take place in person, over the phone, or via Microsoft Teams. During this meeting, the Appeal Coordinator may request the submission of additional documentation to justify the request.

A decision may be rendered in as short as two (2) weeks from submission of the appeal. However, we recognize that sometimes students are unable to schedule an appointment immediately or may need more time to gather documentation. Students have up to one (1) year from the semester for which they seek an appeal.

In cases where tuition and fees are prorated, the Bursars Office will make adjustments to the student’s PAWS account. This step can typically takes about 3 weeks to be completed.

 

Tuition and Fee Appeal and Medical Withdrawal Request Form

Students who believe they have a qualifying experience can complete this Tuition and Fee Appeal and Medical Withdrawal Request Form to request an exception to the published fee policies. Please attach all supporting documentation to this form before submitting it.