Students who are not accepted into a degree-granting program are classified as Non-Degree Students.  These students are generally not eligible for financial aid. Exceptions can be made for those enrolled in eligible certificate programs or those taking prerequisite courses for admission to a UWM graduate degree or certification program. In both cases, students must:

  • Submit the Non Degree Student Verification Form to the school or college administering the program.
    • Please Note! We use a new form every year!!
      • Use this form if you plan to attend during the 2023-24 school year. The Summer 2024 term is part of the 2023-24 school year.
      • Use this form if you plan to attend during the 2024-25 school year. The Summer 2025 term is part of the 2024-25 school year
  • The school or college then documents enrollment in an eligible category on the form and submits it to the Financial Aid Office as early as possible.
  • Students must enroll in at least 6 credits which must be documented on the Non-Degree Student Verification Form.
  • Students completing prerequisites have a maximum of 12 consecutive months of eligibility.

Second-degree students, students pursuing a teaching certification, and non-degree students who are eligible for financial aid, will only be offered Federal Direct Loan assistance.

Non-Degree Students without a bachelor’s degree are NOT eligible for financial aid

Gainful Employment

The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any Title IV eligible program that “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.” The educational programs offered by public institutions that are subject to the gainful employment regulations are non-degree programs, including all certificate programs. Specifically at UWM, gainful employment programs are all “stand-alone” certificate programs. The following gainful employment disclosure information must be provided:

  • Occupations the program prepares students to enter
  • Occupational profiles
  • Tuition and fees the institution charges the student for completing the program within normal time
  • Costs for books and supplies
  • Cost of room and board (if applicable)
  • On-time graduation rate for students completing the program
  • Job placement rate for students completing the program
  • Median loan debt incurred by students who completed the program

Eligible Certificate Programs

The following Gainful Employment (GE) certificate programs are subject to the U.S. Department of Education’s gainful employment (GE) regulations.  Students enrolled in these certificate programs may be eligible for Title IV Federal Student Financial Aid (Loans) if they meet other eligibility requirements. A non-degree enrollment verification form is not required for students in these programs

Undergraduate Level

  • Therapeutic Recreation

You may be currently enrolled in an Undergraduate Certificate program that is no longer on this list. If you have received Title IV funding for that program in previous terms, you may be eligible to retain your eligibility through the completion of your program..

Graduate Level

  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Nonprofit Management
  • Rhetorical Leadership

You may be currently enrolled in a Graduate Certificate program that is no longer on this list. If you have received Title IV funding for that program in previous terms, you may be eligible to retain your eligibility through the completion of your program.