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 History Department offers these scholarships and awards just for their students.
Friends of History Award in memory of Dr. Michael Gordon
During the school year, history students with urgent and emergency financial needs can apply for assistance.
Award: up to $500
Donor: Friends and Family of Dr. Michael Gordon
View in PortalA.T. Brown Award for History Graduate Students
This award is given to a history graduate student with demonstrated academic merit.
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 February and March. 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 $2,000
Donor: The late Kay Brown and Family and Friends of A.T. Brown
View in PortalA.T. Brown Award for History Undergraduates
This award is given to history majors with high academic achievement. Qualified candidates will meet the following criteria:
- A student with sophomore, junior or senior standing and a declared major in History with at least twelve credits in history completed
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25
- Full-time enrollment
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 February and March. 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 $1,500
Donor: The late Kay Brown and Family and Friends of A.T. Brown
View in PortalAhmad Family Scholarship
The Ahmad Family Scholarship was established by history alumna Diana Ahmad, currently Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor, specializing in the history of the American West, at Missouri University of Science & Technology. Dr. Ahmad is a Milwaukee native and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UWM. Eligible candidates will meet the following criteria:
- Declared History major
- Demonstrated academic achievement with a minimum 3.1 cumulative GPA
- Full-time student
- Junior or Senior standing by August 31, 2024
- Preference will be given to a student who started at UWM as a freshman (not as a transfer student)
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 February and March. 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: Dr. Diana Ahmad
View in PortalChancellor's Graduate Student Award in History
Chancellor’s award for graduate students in history as chosen by the Department. Students do not need to submit an application to be considered for this award.
Award: Varies
View in PortalEllen Healy Award
Graduate students in the Department of History who have not received any other award (including a TA or RA-ship) are eligible to be reviewed for this award. The award honors the late Ellen Healy, an alumna and onetime teaching assistant in the Department.
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 February and March. 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 $2,000
Donor: Dr. Ann Healy
View in PortalFrank P. Zeidler Graduate Student Award
The Frank P. Zeidler Graduate Student Award is given to a student in pursuit of their Master’s degree in American history. Preference will be given to students who meet one or more of these criteria:
- students exploring the international relationship between the United States and foreign countries
- students exploring American History
- a student eligible to become or currently serving as a teaching assistant
Applications are typically accepted in spring each year between February and March.
Award: Varies up to $5,000
Donors: The late Victor Greene, Emeritus Professor of History, Multiple Donors
View in PortalFrederick I. Olson Scholarship
The Frederick I. Olson Scholarship is awarded to a graduate student who is a Wisconsin resident with financial need as documented by FAFSA. Should two or more students have equal need, the most academically qualified student will be selected. Masters students are eligible for a one-year renewal; doctoral students are eligible for a two-year renewal if funding is available. The recipient of this scholarship must enroll in a minimum of 6 credits per semester. If the recipient is in dissertator status, enrollment in three credits per semester is allowed.
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 February and April. 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 $5,000
Donor: Multiple Donors
View in PortalJ. David Hoeveler Merit Scholarship
This scholarship is given to a declared History major who has taken at least 12 credits in History and with demonstrated academic excellence. Qualified applications will have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25, junior standing and will be enrolled full-time. Scholarships may be renewable for one additional year if the student still meets the criteria, and scholarships will be valued at $5,000 per year.
This scholarship is funded through a generous gift from history professor J. David Hoeveler.
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 February and April. 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: $5,000
Donor: Dr. J. David Hoeveler
View in PortalProfessor Bud Weare Scholarship
- This award is named in honor of Professor Bud Weare and is given to a full-time history major with demonstrated academic merit; sophomore, junior or senior standing; and demonstrated financial need.
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 February and April. 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 $2,500
Donors: Anonymous, Juanita and Walter Weare
View in PortalTheodore Saloutos Award for PhD Dissertation Research in American History
The Theodore Saloutos Award for PhD Dissertation Research in American History is given to a graduate student in the Department of History who is in dissertator status and whose dissertation topic is in American history. Preference will be given to students whose dissertation topic is in American immigration or American agricultural history. Applications are typically accepted in spring each year between February and March.
Award: Varies up to $2,000
Donor: The late Florence Saloutos and Friends and Family of Theodore Saloutos
View in Portal