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 Physics & Astronomy Department offers these scholarships and awards just for their students.
Chancellor's Graduate Student Award in Physics
Chancellor’s Award for graduate students in physics as chosen by the Department. Students do not need to submit an application to be considered for this award.
Award: Varies
View in PortalCyberInfrastructure Comprehensive, Applied and Tangible Summer School (CIberCATSS) Stipend
Awarded to select students participating in the ClberCATSS program.
Award: Varies up to $3,500
View in PortalDavid Lichtman Memorial Fellowship
This award recognizes graduate students in the Department of Physics who have demonstrated high academic achievement as chosen by the physics faculty. There is no student application.
Award: Varries up to $2,000
Donor: Friends and Family of the late Dr. David Lichtman
View in PortalDavid Lichtman Research Fellowship
This award recognizes graduate students in the Department of Physics who have demonstrated high academic achievement as chosen by the physics faculty. There is no student application.
Award: Varies up to $5,000
Donor: Ping Jiang
View in PortalDavid Lichtman Undergraduate Scholarship
This scholarship is given to a declared physics major with demonstrated academic merit (minimum 3.25 GPA). Second degree students (students who already hold one bachelor’s degree) are not eligible.
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. 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 2025 are for Fall 2025; students graduating in May or August 2025 are not eligible.
Award: Varies up to $2,000
Donor: Friends and Family of the late Dr. David Lichtman
View in PortalDepartment of Physics Research Excellence Award
When funds are available, this award is given to graduate students in the Department of Physics who demonstrate excellence in research as chosen by the faculty. There is no application process and recipients are chosen by the physics faculty.
Award: Varies
View in PortalGreater Milwaukee Foundation Joseph (Starr) Diny Scholarship
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation Joseph (Starr) Diny fund supports one STEM major in the College of Letters & Science with a $1,000 scholarship. Eligible students will hold sophomore, junior, or senior standing, will be in good academic standing, and will have demonstrated financial need. Second degree students who already hold a bachelor’s degree are not eligible.
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. 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.
Award: $1,000
Donor: Greater Milwaukee Foundation Joseph (Starr) Diny Scholarship Fund
View in PortalJames M. Martin Memorial Scholarship
The James M. Martin Memorial Scholarship is given to a physics major with demonstrated academic achievement in the discipline. Second degree students (students who already hold one bachelor’s degree) are not eligible.
Award: Varies up to $2,000
Donor: The Family of James M. Martin
View in PortalNicholas J. Papastamatiou Scholarship
The Nicolas J. Papastamatiou Scholarship is given to an outstanding graduate student in theoretical physics as chosen by the physics faculty. There is no application required of students.
Award: Varies
Donor: Deborah Hanks
View in PortalPhysics Foundation Award
This award recognizes graduate students in the Department of Physics who have demonstrated high academic achievement and exceptional research. Recipients are chosen by the physics faculty. There is no student application.
Award: Varies
Donor: Multiple Individual, Foundation, and Corporate Donors
View in PortalPlanetarium Service Award
Awards are periodically given to students who provide exemplary service while working at the UWM Manfred Olson Planetarium.
Award: Varies
Donor: Multiple Donors
View in PortalTim Collins Memorial Scholarship
The Tim Collins Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of physics student Tim Collins and is given to a physics major with demonstrated academic achievement and financial need. Eligible students will have completed Math 233 and Physics 220 (or 210/215). Preference will be given to a nontraditional student (an older adult or a student who did not enter college directly out of high school). Second degree students (students who already hold one bachelor’s degree) are not eligible.
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. 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 2025 are for Fall 2025; students graduating in May or August 2025 are not eligible.
Award: Varies
Donor: Friends and Family of Tim Collins
View in PortalWilliam L. Walters Memorial Scholarship
The William L. Walters Memorial Scholarship is given to a physics major with demonstrated academic achievement in the discipline. Second degree students (students who already hold one bachelor’s degree) are not eligible.
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. 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.
Award: Varies
Donor: Darlene Walters and the Family of William L. Walters
View in Portal