Scholarships

Scholarships provide additional financial support for 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

Who can apply for a scholarship?

• Undergraduate students with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (including transfer credits).
• All students who have applied and been accepted into UWM.
  • Students must be in the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare.
• Current criminal justice practitioners are eligible to receive up to $1,000 their first academic year through the Criminal Justice Practitioner Scholarship.

What do I need to know about the process of applying for a scholarship?

• We offer the majority of scholarships 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 Recruitment and Scholarship Coordinator Michaela Kaiser at kaisermr@uwm.edu to talk about alternative options.
• 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

Do you offer scholarships and funding for graduate students?

Yes, 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.