Smart Start

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Our Mission

Through a collaborative partnership with Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), M3 (pronounced M-Cubed) is dedicated to supporting first-year students as they transition to higher education.  

MATC, MPS, and UWM work to create pathways of success for students by offering dual enrollment opportunities, immersive campus experiences, work-based learning, and essential guidance on financial aid and applications.  

Our mission is to build bridges that empower and support students at every stage of their journey, ensuring they feel confident and prepared as they navigate this new environment!

How to Receive Our Scholarship

To get the full impact of the Smart Start program, we encourage participation from students starting in the summer and continuing into the Fall semester! 

Summer Expectations:

Through participating in group coaching sessions and other summer experiences, you can earn $250 for your Fall semester

  • Group coaching sessions (link to SignUpGenius will be made available at the end of May) 
  • Undergraduate research 
  • Student Support Services Summer Bridge Program 
  • MKE Scholars 
  • Smart Start Field Trip
  • Black Student Cultural Center Welcome Event 
  • Roberto Hernández Center Welcome Event (Bienvenida) 

Fall Semester Expectations:

To receive $250 for your Spring semester, you are expected to meet with your assigned Success Coach at least three times during the Fall semester. Below are the following offices or programs where you may receive a Success Coach from: 

  • American Indian Student Center 
  • Black Student Cultural Center 
  • Fostering Success 
  • MKE Scholars  
  • Roberto Hernández Center 
  • Smart Start 
  • Southeast Asian American Student Center 
  • Student Support Services 

Interested in Participating?

To ensure that you are informed about Smart Start next steps, please complete this quick interest form and you will receive a direct follow-up from the Smart Start team. As a future graduate for the Class of 2025, we want you to focus on finishing the requirements of your senior year. By completing the interest form, we will be able to contact you with reminders and support as you continue to think about what your next steps are as you enter college.

Meet our Team

Liana O

Liana Opitz, Smart Start Graduate Assistant

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is my Success Coach? How do I schedule a meeting with my Success Coach? 

To find out who your Success Coach is, you can review the members of your Success Team by logging into Navigate360. Based on information from your admissions application, you are assigned a Success 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 $500, do I need to participate in the Summer and Fall? 

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.  

Why should I participate in this program?

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 
I’m interested but where can I find you to meet?

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! 

How do I sign up for a group coaching session? I signed up for a summer group coaching session, how do I attend the meeting? 

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 check back at the end of May when the SignUpGenius will be made available!  

How do I know that I am eligible to participate in Smart Start?

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

What if I’m already participating in something at UWM?

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 
  • Multicultural Student Center welcome 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: 

  • American Indian Student Center 
  • Black Student Cultural Center 
  • Fostering Success 
  • MKE Scholars 
  • Roberto Hernández Center 
  • Smart Start 
  • Southeast Asian American Student Center 
  • Student Support Services 
I’m afraid that UWM is such a large campus, and I won’t know what I need to know for the first day

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. 

Archived Materials

Spring 2025

Finances and Paying for College (March 2025)