I'm starting in the Fall

The following checklist items are broken down into three categories: Required, Recommended and Bonus Points. Required are your must do steps – you won’t be able to enroll in classes without completing them. Recommended items are steps that our most successful students complete. Finally, Bonus Points are steps that will be helpful to your transition to UWM, but will not have any direct bearing on your enrollment.

REQUIRED:

1. Check your PAWS Account - Often!

Your PAWS account is your connection to important information about your application and enrollment at UWM. On PAWS, you have a To Do List, which lists steps you need to take care of to get admitted and enrolled, and also any items the Financial Aid Office may have requested after receiving your FAFSA results. Access your account at uwm.edu/paws and check it often for updates! 

Never been on PAWS? You must first activate your ePanther ID and create a password. You’ll use this login for PAWS, your UWM email (assigned just before New Student Orientation), and all other online UWM resources.

We should add a line. If you do not know your UWM campus ID # to activate please contact us at undergraduateadmissions@uwm.edu so we can share that with you.

2. Complete your “Intent to Enroll” To Do list item

This quick 2-minute survey in your PAWS account is your way to let UWM know if you plan to be a student in the fall. Just click on the To Do list item and follow the instructions. Complete this step prior to our May 1 priority deadline.

3. Determine Living Arrangements
As an adult student, you have lots of options for housing. You can choose to live on campus in University Housing, reside in the vibrant UWM neighborhood, or commute from home.

If you’re interested in living in one of our residence halls, you’ll have to submit a Housing Contract and pay a $100 pre-payment/deposit. University Housing will send you an email when you are able to access to your online contract via the myHousing portal (about two weeks after you’ve been admitted). When you’re completing your contract, be sure consider our Living Learning Communities. The priority deadline for Housing Contracts and payments is May 1st.

Looking to rent a place in the neighborhood? Check out our Neighborhood Housing Office! We can help you find quality housing, roommates, and other resources.

If you’re going to commute to campus, learn about transportation options, parking permits, and other commuter student resources.

4. Course Placement
At UWM, placement testing isn’t required of everyone because a number of factors are considered when determining course placement. If you submit your ACT/SAT score to UWM, you will not need to do any placement testing as we will use those scores and other data from your application to place you in your courses. For those who may need placement testing, options will be available in the spring and summer and more course placement information will be sent in beginning in February. uwm.edu/freshmanplacement.

5. Register for Transfer & Adult Student Orientation
Starting in March, 1-2 days after you’ve paid your confirmation deposit and completed Course Placement steps, you’ll be invited to register for Orientation. Transfer & Adult Student Orientation (TASO) is a virtual program and great opportunity to become more acclimated with campus resources, meet your fellow Panthers, meet with your advisor, and register for classes. If you are ready to sign up for Orientation, you’ll see it as a To Do List item on your PAWS account.

For more information and to register, visit our New Student Orientation website.

6. Complete Pre-Orientation

This 15-20 minute activity is required to complete before attending your Orientation program. Just click on the To Do list item and follow the instructions.

7. Submit Your ID Photo

All UWM students are required to have a photo identification card.

Download the “Get Mobile” App or upload it here: https://uwm.edu/retailservices/use-your-selfie/[Make sure to complete this at least 48 hours prior to your Orientation program.]

8. Complete your University Credit Agreement
Every student must electronically sign the University Credit Agreement. This will appear on your To Do List on your PAWS account in the spring and must be signed before you can register for classes. For more information, visit the Bursar’s Office.
9. Pay your Tuition and Fees

After you’ve registered for classes in July, tuition and fees will be posted to your account. Two of those fees is the $150 Orientation fee and $100 New Freshman Fee which cover various costs for campus resources such as your Orientation, campus ID and Fall Welcome programming.

Tuition and fees are due by the first day of classes, though installment plans are available. For more information, visit our Bursar’s Office.

RECOMMENDED:

1. Tour Campus

The health and safety of our students and guests is our top priority. Due to the increased number of COVID-19 cases nationally and locally, we are responding to updated regulations by temporarily returning to virtual tours and events.  We offer a rich array of virtual tour and visit offerings for everyone to learn more about our amazing campus and university and see why we are #PantherProud! Check out all of our visit options at uwm.edu/visituwm.

2. Consider Financial Options and Complete FAFSA
College is an investment – well worth it, but many students need help with the costs. To apply for financial aid, including grants (gift money you don’t have to pay back) and loans, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as the FAFSA. File this online at www.fafsa.gov. Our school code is 003896.

For the 2021-22 year, the FAFSA is available as of October 1, 2020. You will use your 2019 tax information. Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to import your tax information makes completing the FAFSA easier than ever. However, to make sure the process is secure, you won’t see the information that is imported. Apply as soon as possible to be given maximum consideration for funds that may be limited. The Financial Aid Office will use the results of your FAFSA to determine what kind of aid you’re eligible to receive, and notify you via email once we put together an award package for you. Having this information earlier should help you make important decisions about how to pay for college, building a budget, and determining housing options.

We also have lots of great information under the Finances section of the One Stop website! Learn about the different types of financial aid, how to apply, and read important announcements. Make sure to check out our cool budgeting tool, the UWM Total Cost Estimator. Still have questions? Please contact the Financial Aid Office for help.

3. Research Scholarship Options
Scholarships are a great way to help fund your education—you don’t have to pay any money back! Scholarships are competitive but well worth the effort. Research potential scholarship opportunities at uwm.edu/scholarships.

BONUS POINTS:

1. Connect with UWM and Fellow Students on Social Media
Connect with other future Panthers by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also, don’t forget to follow our Tour Guides, and connect with other future Panthers in your class on the Class of 2025 Facebook group.
2. Think about Getting an On-Campus Job
UWM is committed to professional development of our student workers, so an on-campus job is more than just money in your pocket, it’s a chance to learn and grow as a young professional. Plus, many offer flexible hours and are easy to get to in between classes. While you can’t start working until you’re officially a student, check out what kinds of jobs are out there and prepare yourself with Handshake.
3. Find a Student Organization (or two, or three, or…)
UWM has over 300 Student Organizations on campus! You’re bound to find one (or several) that interest you. Whether you’ve been participating in an activity for years and want to keep it up or you’re looking to venture out and try something new, our student orgs are a great way to get involved!

I'm starting in the Spring

Welcome to the Spring semester! While all the steps to enrollment are the same as students who start in Fall, the timeline is a bit different. The following checklist items are broken down into three categories: Required, Recommended and Bonus Points. Required are your must do steps – you won’t be able to enroll in classes without completing them. Recommended items are steps that our most successful students complete. Finally, Bonus Points are steps that will be helpful to your transition to UWM, but will not have any direct bearing on your enrollment.

REQUIRED:

1. Check your PAWS Account - Often!

Your PAWS account is your connection to important information about your application and enrollment at UWM. On PAWS, you have a To Do List, which lists steps you need to take care of to get admitted and enrolled, and also any items the Financial Aid Office may have requested after receiving your FAFSA results. Access your account at uwm.edu/paws and check it often for updates! 

Never been on PAWS? You must first activate your ePanther ID and create a password. You’ll use this login for PAWS, your UWM email (assigned just before New Student Orientation), and all other online UWM resources.

We should add a line. If you do not know your UWM campus ID # to activate please contact us at undergraduateadmissions@uwm.edu so we can share that with you.

2. Complete your “Intent to Enroll” To Do list item

This quick 2-minute survey in your PAWS account is your way to let UWM know if you plan to be a student in the fall. Just click on the To Do list item and follow the instructions. Complete this step prior to our May 1 priority deadline.

3. Determine Living Arrangements
As an adult student, you have lots of options for housing. You can choose to live on campus in University Housing, reside in the vibrant UWM neighborhood, or commute from home.

If you’re interested in living in one of our residence halls, you’ll have to submit a Housing Contract and pay a $100 pre-payment/deposit. University Housing will send you an email when you are able to access to your online contract via the myHousing portal (about two weeks after you’ve been admitted). When you’re completing your contract, be sure consider our Living Learning Communities. The priority deadline for Housing Contracts and payments is December 1st.

Looking to rent a place in the neighborhood? Check out our Neighborhood Housing Office! We can help you find quality housing, roommates, and other resources.

If you’re going to commute to campus, learn about transportation options, parking permits, and other commuter student resources.

4. Take your Placement Tests
At UWM, placement testing isn’t required of everyone because a number of factors are considered when determining course placement. If you submit your ACT/SAT score to UWM, you will not need to do any placement testing as we will use those scores and other data from your application to place you in your courses. If you do not have ACT/SAT scores on file at UWM, you will need to email us at NFTest@uwm.edu to determine how you will place into your math and English courses. uwm.edu/freshmanplacement.
5. Register for Transfer & Adult Student Orientation

Starting in October, 1-2 days after you’ve paid your confirmation deposit and completed Course Placement steps, you’ll be invited to register for Orientation. Transfer & Adult Student Orientation (TASO) is a virtual program and great opportunity to become more acclimated with campus resources, meet your fellow Panthers, meet with your advisor, and register for classes. If you are ready to sign up for Orientation, you’ll see it as a To Do List item on your PAWS account.

Register today!

6. Complete Pre-Orientation

This 15-20 minute activity is required to complete before attending your Orientation program. Just click on the To Do list item and follow the instructions.

7. Submit Your ID Photo

All UWM students are required to have a photo identification card.

Download the “Get Mobile” App or upload it here: https://uwm.edu/retailservices/use-your-selfie/ [Make sure to complete this at least 48 hours prior to your Orientation program.]

8. Complete your University Credit Agreement
Every student must electronically sign the University Credit Agreement. This will appear on your To Do List on your PAWS account in the spring and must be signed before you can register for classes. For more information, visit the Bursar’s Office.
9. Pay your Tuition and Fees

After you’ve registered for classes in July, tuition and fees will be posted to your account. Two of those fees is the $150 Orientation fee and $100 New Freshman Fee which cover various costs for campus resources such as your Orientation, campus ID and Fall Welcome programming.

Tuition and fees are due by the first day of classes, though installment plans are available. For more information, visit our Bursar’s Office.

RECOMMENDED:

1. Tour Campus
The health and safety of our students and guests is our top priority. Due to the increased number of COVID-19 cases nationally and locally, we are responding to updated regulations by temporarily returning to virtual tours and events.  We offer a rich array of virtual tour and visit offerings for everyone to learn more about our amazing campus and university and see why we are #PantherProud! Check out all of our visit options at uwm.edu/visituwm.
2. Consider Financial Options and Complete FAFSA
College is an investment – well worth it, but many students need help with the costs. To apply for financial aid, including grants (gift money you don’t have to pay back) and loans, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as the FAFSA. File this online at www.fafsa.gov. Our school code is 003896.

For the 2021-22 year, the FAFSA is available as of October 1, 2020. You will use your 2019 tax information. Using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) to import your tax information makes completing the FAFSA easier than ever. Apply as soon as possible to be given maximum consideration for funds that may be limited. The Financial Aid Office will use the results of your FAFSA to determine what kind of aid you’re eligible to receive, and notify you via email once we put together an award package for you. Having this information earlier should help you make important decisions about how to pay for college, building a budget, and determining housing options.

We also have lots of great information on the Financial Aid website! Learn about the different types of financial aid, how to apply, and read important announcements. Make sure to check out our cool budgeting tool, the UWM Total Cost Estimator. Still have questions? Please contact the Financial Aid Office for help.

3. Research Scholarship Options
Scholarships are a great way to help fund your education—you don’t have to pay any money back! Scholarships are competitive but well worth the effort. Research potential scholarship opportunities at uwm.edu/scholarships. 

BONUS POINTS:

1. Connect with UWM and Fellow Students on Social Media
Connect with other future Panthers by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also, don’t forget to follow our Tour Guides, and connect with other future Panthers in your class on the Class of 2025 Facebook group.
2. Think about Getting an On-Campus Job
UWM is committed to professional development of our student workers, so an on-campus job is more than just money in your pocket, it’s a chance to learn and grow as a young professional. Plus, many offer flexible hours and are easy to get to in between classes. While you can’t start working until you’re officially a student, check out what kinds of jobs are out there and prepare yourself with Handshake.
3. Find a Student Organization (or two, or three, or…)
UWM has over 300 Student Organizations on campus! You’re bound to find one (or several) that interest you. Whether you’ve been participating in an activity for years and want to keep it up or you’re looking to venture out and try something new, our student orgs are a great way to get involved!