Scholarships

The Helen Bader Institute welcomes inquiries at any time regarding the availability of various scholarships. Students will be automatically considered based on their completed General Application in the UWM Scholarship Portal.

Visit the UWM Scholarship Portal

Nonprofit Management and Leadership Scholarship Fund

Eligible students must be enrolled (or have applied for admission) as a student in the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management or the Master of Science in Nonprofit Management and Leadership degree program at UWM. Scholarship applications will be reviewed on the basis of demonstrated financial need and/or academic merit and the potential for success as a nonprofit manager or leader.

To be eligible, student:

  • Must be admitted as a student in the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management or the Master of Science in Nonprofit Management and Leadership degree programs at UWM.
  • Additionally, they must be enrolled in at least one nonprofit-related course per semester for their application to be considered.
  • Demonstrate evidence of financial need; and/or
  • Demonstrate exceptional merit or other evidence of outstanding potential for success as a nonprofit manager or leader. Scholarship awards vary in amount.

For full consideration, students must fill out these sections of the general application:

  • academic and career goals
  • reason for seeking financial assistance
  • work experience

For more information, contact the Helen Bader Institute at hbi-info@uwm.edu.

Deadline:

  • Fall semester – August 1
  • Spring semester – December 15

John Palmer Smith Scholarship

To be eligible, student:

  • Must be admitted as a student in the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management or the Master of Science in Nonprofit Management and Leadership degree programs at UWM.
  • Additionally, they must be enrolled in at least one nonprofit-related course per semester for their application to be considered.
  • Must have a completed FAFSA on file that shows demonstrated financial need.

Scholarship applications will be reviewed on the basis of need, merit, and the potential for success as a nonprofit manager or leader.

For full consideration, students must fill out these sections of the general application:

  • academic and career goals
  • reason for seeking financial assistance
  • work experience

For more information, contact the Helen Bader Institute for Nonprofit Management at hbi-info@uwm.edu.

Deadline:

  • Fall semester – August 1
  • Spring semester – December 15

Additional UWM Scholarship Resources:

UWM Scholarship Information: UWM offers several scholarship opportunities, ranging from University-Wide scholarships to School/College specific scholarships. Some may require an application. To keep on top of all the scholarship opportunities, be sure to keep checking the UWM Scholarship page.

Minnesota-Wisconsin Reciprocity Fee-Tuition: The Minnesota-Wisconsin Tuition Reciprocity agreement allows residents of Minnesota attending Wisconsin Institutions to receive a special rate. If you wish to take advantage of the Minnesota-Wisconsin Tuition Reciprocity Agreement, apply for certification as a Minnesota resident. Please note, Minnesota residents may not apply for MSEP.

Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP): Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) is a multi-state tuition reciprocity program. Students who are legal residents of certain qualifying states and who meet all institution-specific eligibility criteria and deadlines may qualify for the MSEP tuition discount. To learn more about this program at UWM, please call the Department of Recruitment and Outreach at 414/229-2222.

Academic Opportunity Fellowships are designed to assist qualified full-time graduate students who are members of groups underrepresented in graduate study, or are otherwise disadvantaged, to complete a graduate degree at UWM. Application deadline: February 2, annually.

The Economic Development Fellows Program (ED) is a two-year fellowship opportunity that combines work in a government agency or community-based organization with graduate level study at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Individuals with an interest in economic development issues will find this program to be valuable in both practical and theoretical training.

Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program: If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer..

Non-Resident Tuition Remission (NRTR)

The NRTR waiver grants out-of-state students the ability to pay in-state tuition rates. To find out more about this program, its restrictions, and how to apply, contact the Department Chair. Typically, applications for an NRTR are made only after an offer of admission.

Additional Planning Resources

Southeastern Wisconsin Graduate Scholarships:

National Graduate Scholarships: