Scholarships

Scholarships provide additional financial support for eligible students. Through the UWM Foundation and the generosity and vision of friends, alumni and faculty, the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare has established scholarships for the benefit of its students.

Undergraduate Students

• Undergraduate students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (including transfer credits).
• All students who have applied and been accepted into UWM, and are in the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, are welcome to apply.
• Most (but not all) scholarships through the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare are offered based on financial need. To be considered for need-based scholarships, you must have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file for the 2026-2027 academic year.
• Students who are not eligible to complete a FAFSA may contact scholarship coordinator Michaela Kaiser at kaisermr@uwm.edu to talk about alternative options.
• Additionally, the school offers a criminal justice practitioner scholarship.
• The scholarship committee, which includes faculty and staff from HBSSW, bases its decision on the strength of your academic career, the information listed in the job or volunteer experiences, and any unique or unusual circumstances in relation to the scholarship eligibility requirements.

Graduate Students

In addition to scholarships listed on the UWM scholarship page, graduate students are eligible for:

• Advanced Opportunity Program Fellowships, Distinguished Graduate Student Fellowships and Graduate Student Travel Awards. To learn more, visit the Types of Funding page.
• The Department of Social Work also offers additional funding opportunities for MSW students.
• The Child and Family Scholars Program provides funding to eligible PhD students.