Resources
At UWM we’re working on two years at once for most of the year. Be sure to select the resource for the appropriate year! The school year 2022-23 (we call it aid year 2023) applies to Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Spring 2023, and Summer 2023. The school year 2023-24 (we call it aid year 2024) applies to Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024.
- Financial Aid Handbook – Though there are many resources on the topic of financial aid, the primary resource we recommend for a student.
- PAWS Tutorial – Includes step-by-step instructions for all of your financial aid PAWS needs.
- Estimated Cost Of Attendance
Meet Milwaukee Presentation – An event for prospective students to learn more about UWM. Get an introduction to paying for your college experience in this presentation!
Admitted Student Day – An event for admitted students to get to know UWM. Get to know the financial aid process in this presentation!
New Student Orientation Presentation – An event to help students in their first year of college. Get our recommendations for your next steps to get started on the right foot in this presentation!
- College Preparation Checklist – Assists students (elementary, middle, and high school), as well as adults/parents, prepare financially and academically for college. Includes a basic checklist for FAFSA filing time. Spanish version is available.
- Federal Student Aid for Adult Students – Publication to reassure adults student that they can receive federal student aid regardless of age or credit rating. Provides information on how to apply for federal student aid, important deadlines, types of aid available to adult students, and tips about going to or returning to college. Spanish version is available.
- Financial Aid for Graduate or Professional Students – Provides graduate and professional degree students with an overview of federal student aid programs and other types of financial aid they may receive.
- KnowHow2Go – Resource for career, college, and financial aid for middle school through senior year in high school.
- Kiplinger – Kiplinger’s information on paying for college.
- NASFAA Resources for Students, Parents, and Counselors – Financial Aid resource developed by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.
- Look Forward to Your Future – A collection of financial aid and money management resources for students and families compiled by the state of Wisconsin.
There’s great news for parents and students: the federal government provides a number of tax incentives that can help defray the cost of higher education. These incentives come in a couple of forms: Tax Credits, which directly reduce the amount of tax you are liable for; and Tax Deductions, which reduce the amount of income on which you pay taxes. You can find more information here.
In addition to tax credits & deductions, Wisconsin offers educational investment opportunities for families to save money for their student’s college expenses:
- EDVEST Wisconsin – Wisconsin’s educational investment program.
- SavingForCollege.com – Guide to 529 plans.
- FAFSA4Caster – Found under Thinking About College, you can forecast an early estimate of eligibility for federal student aid- Great for HS Juniors!
- studentaid.gov – Allows users to find federal student aid information, apply for federal aid, and repay student loans
- College Goal Wisconsin– a state event held in February that provides free information and assistance to families who need to complete the FAFSA. Great for HS Seniors entering in the Fall!
- GradReady – A UWM-specific financial literacy tool. Learn more about managing your tuition, budget, and bills.
- Cash Course – Tools for managing your money
- Feed the Pig – a program from the AICPA that has many helpful articles and tips about spending, saving, and managing money habits.
- MyMoney.gov -A government website dedicated to teaching all Americans the basics of financial education.
- Loan Repayment Options – This tool can help you find the best student repayment option for you in 5 steps or less!
- Debt Resolution – Information and activities related to defaulted education debt for the U.S. Department of Education.
- Great Lakes – Federal loan servicer. Many student loan borrowers from Wisconsin will have their loans serviced by Great Lakes.
- Student Debt Repayment Assistant — Tool offered by the Federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that can help you evaluate possible student loan repayment options.
- Direct Loan Repayment Answers – Having difficulty making loan payments? Get answers to your questions on Repayment, Deferment, and Forbearance.
- Federal Loan Consolidation – See if Loan Consolidation is a viable option for you.
- National Student Loan Data System – Central database for student aid. Displays information on loan and/or grant amounts, outstanding balances, etc.
- Office of Student Financial Aid Ombudsman – Works with student loan borrowers to informally resolve loan disputes and problems.
- Entrance Counseling Guide – Provides a general overview of information students will need when deciding how much money to borrow to pay for college costs. Discusses the types of Federal Direct Loans, costs of borrowing, steps on how to get a loan, and the responsibility to repay the loan.
- Federal Student Loans: Repaying Your Loans – Intended for student loan borrowers who are repaying their federal student loans. Includes “to do” lists to help borrowers navigate the repayment process from before a borrower enters repayment to making payments. Spanish version is available.
- Federal Student Loans Direct PLUS Loan Basics for Parents – Provides parents of dependent undergraduate students information about Federal Direct PLUS loans which are federal loans that can be taken out to help pay the cost of their child’s education after high school.
- Personal computer purchases – Though computers may be purchased anywhere, the UWM TechStore offers a selection of Dell computers as well as the full line of Apple Macintosh and iPad models – conveniently on campus.
- UWM LGBT Resource Center – LGBT students can sometimes face unique obstacles in obtaining financial aid. Find guidance and resources regarding some common ones you may encounter here.
- DACA & Undocumented Student Toolkit– While there may not be federal financial aid options available, learn more about the resources available to you here at UWM.
- UWM Career Planning & Resource Center – Look for on and off-campus student employment opportunities on Handshake.
- Fostering Success at UWM – Find support resources for foster youth, orphans, and homeless youth.
