General Program Requirements
Eligibility
How do I apply for the Lawton Scholars Program?
At UWM, Lawton is an invitation-only award. Before the start of the semester, Student Financial Services will run a list of eligible students and the FG+RC will send an invitation to them to join the program. To be eligible, students must:
- Identify as African American, American Indian, Latino/a, and/or Southeast Asian of Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian and Vietnamese descent
- Have completed 24 or more college credits
- Have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 2.25
- Enroll in at least 12 credits per semester
- Demonstrate financial need via FAFSA
- Be a Wisconsin resident/Eligible for Wisconsin State Aid
I am currently a new transfer student at the UW-Milwaukee. Am I eligible to receive the Lawton at UWM?
As a first semester transfer student, you may become eligible in the future once you have established a UWM GPA. This will happen once you complete your first semester at UWM. Once you become eligible and funding is available, you will see an “Estimated Lawton” on your PAWS account as part of your financial aid package. If you do not see an estimated Lawton and believe you are eligible, you may contact us at uwmlawton@uwm.edu to check your eligibility.
Credit Requirements & Dropping Classes
Do I need to maintain 24 credits meaning 12 per semester of 24 in a full school year?
To be eligible for Lawton, you need to be enrolled in 12 credits at census date (10th day of class) each semester. To remain eligible for the program, a student needs to complete 24 unique credits in a full academic year (Fall, Winterim, Spring, and Summer semesters). Lawton is a Wisconsin State Statute, and these credit requirements are set by the Universities of Wisconsin (formerly UW System).
If I drop a course, will I need to add a late course to maintain 12 credits this semester?
You will not need to add a late course to remain in Lawton. You may make up the missing credits either during Winterim, Spring, or Summer to reach the 24-credit requirement. If you enroll in summer courses to meet the 24-credit requirement, you will need to notify the Lawton Team (uwmlawton@uwm.edu).
Are there any forms that I need to fill out or get approval before I drop a class?
We strongly encourage you to talk to your academic advisor before dropping a course. They will be able to provide you information about how it may impact your financial aid, graduation plan, and successful academic completion. You can schedule an appointment with your academic advisor at Navigate Student.
Lawton Program Requirements
Academic Advisor Meeting
Who is my advisor?
Your academic advisor is already assigned to you through your school, college, or advising unit. You can find the name and contact information of your advisor on PAWS on the right side of the main “Student Center” page or on Navigate Student.
I was wondering if the academic advisor I must meet with is my regular academic advisor?
Yes, the academic advisor that you meet with would be the one assigned to you through your school, college, or advising unit or the advisor who assists you with your class choices and graduation plan.
Can I meet with someone other than my academic advisor?
In the Fall semester you are required to meet with your academic advisor. In the Spring semester you have the flexibility to meet with your UWM advisor, or UWM success coach. Appointments with your success coaches can also be made through Navigate Student. Meeting with your success coach in the Fall semester will not satisfy the advising requirements.
How do I inform the Lawton Program that I have met with my advisor or success coach?
Your advisor or UWM success coach must enter their meeting notes into Navigate. Make sure to mention that you are a Lawton Scholar to your advisor or UWM success coach during your meeting, so they know to do this.
Economics 110: Economics of Personal Finance
When do I have to take Econ 110?
Lawton requires all recipients to complete Economics 110: Economics of Personal Finance within the first two semesters of being awarded (so you have Fall 20XX or Spring 20XX to complete the course). The course is also offered during the summer. If you enroll in the summer course, you need to let the Lawton Team (uwmlawton@uwm.edu) know. Please note that Lawton eligibility cannot be determined until summer grades have officially posted. Lawton is a first come, first served award.
Is it an online course or an in-lecture course? If there is an online course, how can I sign up for it because I have never taken an online course before?
There are both in-person and online sections available. To sign up for an online course, you will enroll through PAWS the same way that you enroll for in-person courses.
I was in a summer bridge program that ran the course, and I was wondering if I would have to take the course again.
We strongly encourage summer bridge students to complete Economics 110: Economics of Personal Finance so that they can receive official credit for it. However, you may be eligible to receive an appeal based on your previous completion of the material. In your Econ 110 Appeal Statement, you must include which summer bridge term and through which program you completed the financial literacy course.
If I had already taken Econ: 110, am I required to take it again?
Lawton Scholars are only required to successfully complete the Economics 110 course once. If you have already successfully completed Economics 110: Economics of Personal Finance, you will not need to take the course again.
I am a senior with a heavy course load so that I can graduate on time. Do I have to take Econ 110?
All Lawton Scholars are required to successfully complete Economics 110: Economics of Personal Finance. However, you may be eligible for an appeal depending on your circumstances. Please note that not all appeals are granted.
Click the following link to access the appeal form:
ECON 110 Lawton Appeal Form fillable
Lawton Peer Mentor Meeting
Who is my Lawton Peer Mentor?
Your Lawton Peer Mentor is a student who has been in the program 2+ semesters and is assigned to you at the beginning of the semester. Your peer mentor will send you an introduction email once they receive their scholar assignment list, and will also be listed on the Lawton CANVAS page you will be enrolled in at the start of the semester. If you do not see this email and cannot find who your Lawton Peer Mentor is, please email the Lawton Team (uwmlawton@uwm.edu).
What happens if I haven’t met with my Lawton Peer Mentor yet? Can I see another peer mentor that is available instead?
If you haven’t met with your peer mentor, we recommend getting in touch with them as soon as possible to schedule a meeting. If for some reason they don’t get back to you, please contact us at uwmlawton@uwm.edu and we will contact them for you. If they still haven’t met with you after this, please let us know and we will make accommodations. It is our preference that Scholars meet with their assigned peer mentor unless there are extenuating circumstances. If you are having concerns with your Lawton Peer Mentor, please email the Lawton Team (uwmlawton@uwm.edu).
How do I make an appointment with my Lawton Peer Mentor?
To schedule a meeting with your Lawton Peer Mentor, you need to contact them directly. Each peer mentor uses a different method of scheduling, so contact your directly for scheduling information.
Senior Requirements
I am currently a senior, do I have to meet with my assigned Lawton Peer Mentor?
As a senior, you are not required to, but it is highly encouraged, to meet with your assigned Lawton Peer Mentor especially if this is your first semester in the program.
I will be graduating this December, and the e-Portfolio is only due in the spring, so should I submit an e-portfolio this semester?
Because you are graduating this Fall and the e-Portfolio is only due in the Spring, you do not need to submit an e-Portfolio.
Study Abroad
I’m studying abroad. How can I fulfill the Lawton Scholars Program requirements?
We have had a number of students study abroad and complete Lawton successfully. Your requirements will not change. Your Lawton Peer Mentor will be work with you to ensure your success in the program, so please notify them that you are Studying Abroad.
Is it possible for the Lawton to be awarded for Winter Interim study abroad trips?
Lawton is only awarded in Fall and Spring semesters. We encourage you to apply for the Study Abroad Diversity Scholarship.
I am studying abroad. How do I prove that I met with my Academic Advisor?
Because you are studying abroad, we will accept an email confirmation of your appointment from your academic advisor. They just need to email us at uwmlawton@uwm.edu to verify that you two have discussed your course schedule or other academic information.
Updated July 2024