Smart Start

To find out who your Smart Start Success Coach and other eligible Coaches are, you can review the members of your Success Team by logging into Navigate360. As a MPS graduate and Smart Start eligible participant, you’re assigned to a Smart Start Coach. To schedule an appointment with your Success Coach(es), log into your Navigate360 account, schedule an appointment, select the service of coaching, and then identify which individual you would want to meet with. 

To receive the full $500, you need to participate in the Smart Start program over the summer and Fall semester. The scholarship is divided into two $250 disbursements to total the maximum scholarship amount of $500. If you miss out on participating in the summer, you will still be eligible to receive the $250 disbursement if there is successful completion of the Fall expectations.

There are many benefits to participating in this program. Here are some highlights: 

• Smart Start is FREE to join! 
• Find a sense of connection to peers who have also graduated from MPS 
• Have individualized support from a Success Coach in the summer and Fall semester – discussions can cover topics such as financial aid, staying connected to the UWM campus, navigating over 300 student organizations, goal setting, and so much more 
• Earn up to $500 for your first year at UW-Milwaukee – the scholarship is disbursed in two $250 increments if you participate in the summer and Fall semester 
• Set personal and professional goals with the guidance of a Success Coach 

While we do send communication emails to incoming students regarding the Smart Start program, you can always come to Bolton Hall Room 120 (Student Success Center) to connect with us over the summer or Fall semester if you have questions. You can also email smart-start@uwm.edu any questions! 

Throughout the summer we offer group coaching sessions both in-person and virtually. It is important to check the modality of the meeting when you sign up for a session! If you are looking to sign up for a coaching session, please sign up for these sessions through SignUpGenius. An updated link will be provided no later June 1, 2026. Sessions will start late June 2026. 

You need to have graduated from a Milwaukee Public High School in the most recent year.  

If you participate in any of the follow programs over the summer, they will count towards the first portion ($250) of the Smart Start Scholarship: 

• Undergraduate research
• Student Support Services Summer Bridge program
• MKE Scholars and Nadella Scholars Summer Experience
• Select UWM Advocacy Support Office Welcome Events
• College Possible Summer Outreach Events

If you participate in any coaching appointments from the following offices/programs during the Fall semester, they will count for the second portion ($250) of the Smart Start scholarship: 

• UWM Academic Skills Tutoring
• All-In Milwaukee 1:1 with Scholar Advisor
• College Possible College Coach 1:1
• Fostering Success 
• MKE Scholars and Nadella Scholars
• Smart Start Coach 1:1
• Student Support Services 
• First Year Bridge Coach 1:1
• UWM Student Success Center Peer Mentoring

Choosing to participate in Smart Start is a great first step! This program provides direct support that starts in the summer and continues through the fall semester. We help breakdown the need-to-know topics and guide you through this transition! You also have the ability to form connections with your peers through small group sessions over the summer and your Success Coach(es) will guide you in finding more ways to stay connected to campus.