Scholarships and Financial Aid
A great education should also be an affordable one, and 80% of our students receive financial aid — usually in a combination of scholarships, loans, grants and work-study.
UW-Milwaukee offers need-based and merit scholarships. For maximum financial aid consideration, we encourage students to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply for scholarships through the Panther Scholarship Portal.
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Scholarship Opportunities
UWM awards more than $26 million in student scholarships annually.
Visit the Panther Scholarship Portal to learn more.
Chancellor’s Merit Scholarship
for incoming freshmen
This scholarship is offered in varying amounts to students with at least a 3.4 high school GPA (unweighted). The Chancellor’s Merit Scholarship is renewable for up to four years, resulting in $2,000–$6,000 total in award amount received. Qualifying students receive this scholarship automatically upon full-time enrollment and are notified of their award after they’re admitted. No scholarship application is required!
Full-ride scholarships to increase
diversity in tech education
The Anu and Satya Nadella Scholarship is for freshmen from Milwaukee high schools who are pursuing degrees in computer science, data science and information technology. They are part of a $2 million gift from UWM computer science alumnus and Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella and Anu Nadella. They seek to create new opportunities for students from Milwaukee’s underserved communities.
Scholarships to expand the health care workforce and strengthen diversity
The Froedtert Memorial Hospital Scholarship is for freshmen pursuing health-related academic programs such as biomedical sciences, health care administration, nursing, nutrition, public health and social work. The scholarship fund is provided thanks to a $6 million gift from Froedtert Hospital to expand the health care workforce and strengthen diversity.
Milwaukee High School Student Scholarships
UWM is committed to students who attend a public or private high school in the City of Milwaukee.
Students from Milwaukee are eligible for numerous signature scholarship programs offered by UWM, and stacking applications and support from these programs and those offered by our partners can often help students assemble their own “full ride” that can pay all direct costs charged by the university.
Milwaukee Advantage Program
Illinois and Minnesota students are eligible to receive an additional $1,000 award each year through the Milwaukee Advantage Program (MAP).
The award is renewable each year for students who maintain good academic standing and are continuously enrolled full-time at the Main Campus with no withdrawals or breaks between consecutive fall and spring semesters.
Other Sources for Financial Assistance
Grants
A grant is generally based on financial need and does not have to be repaid. UWM offers need-based grants that can be paired with other awards to further reduce costs. To qualify, students should complete and submit the FAFSA.
Student Loans
Student loans are federal and private funds that must be repaid at a later date. In order to qualify for federal loan funding, submit the FAFSA.
Work-Study
Federal work-study provides part-time employment to degree-seeking students with financial need. Federal work-study funds are limited, so students seeking employment are encouraged to look for jobs posted on Handshake.
Amazon Career Choice
The Career Choice collaboration offers hourly Amazon employees in Wisconsin support to pursue a UWM undergraduate degree or certificate. Learn more about the Amazon Career Choice Program.
UWM Tuition and Fees for 2023-24
Associate | Bachelor’s | Graduate | |
Tuition | $5,420 | $10,020 | $12,266 |
Housing | n/a | $6,706 | $9,836 |
Meal Plan | n/a | $4,433 | $4,433 |
Books | $800 | $800 | $800 |
Estimated Total: | $6,220 | $21,959 | $27,335 |
UWM Online cost information
UWM at Waukesha and UWM at Washington County (associate degree programs) cost information
Associate | Undergraduate | Graduate | |
Tuition Minnesota–Wisconsin Tuition Reciprocity special rate | $5,763 | $14,331 | $20,681 |
Housing | $6,706 | $6,706 | $9,836 |
Meal Plan | $4,433 | $4,433 | $4,433 |
Books | $800 | $800 | $800 |
Milwaukee Advantage Program | – $1,000 | ||
Estimated Total: | $17,702 | $25,270 | $35,750 |
UWM Online cost information
Associate | Undergraduate | Graduate | |
Tuition Midwest Tuition reduced rate | $7,902 | $14,248 | $17,616 |
Housing | $6,706 | $6,706 | $9,836 |
Meal Plan | $4,433 | $4,433 | $4,433 |
Books | $800 | $800 | $800 |
Milwaukee Advantage Program | – $1,000 | ||
Estimated Total: | $19,841 | $25,187 | $32,685 |
UWM Online cost information
Associate | Undergraduate | Graduate | |
Tuition | $13,084 | $22,020 | $25,697 |
Housing | $6,706 | $6,706 | $9,836 |
Meal Plan | $4,433 | $4,433 | $4,433 |
Books | $800 | $800 | $800 |
Estimated Total: | $25,023 | $33,959 | $40,766 |
UWM Online cost information
The amounts listed on this fee schedule do not include any special course fees, distance education fees, or differential tuition that will be charged in addition to normal tuition and are not included in the 12-18 credit pricing plateau. Consult the Schedule of Classes for a complete listing. Differential tuition is defined on the Additional/Differential per credit Charges table available from the Tuition and Fee Rates page. Segregated fees are included in the tuition rates.
Milwaukee Advantage Program
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and South Dakota students are eligible to receive an additional $1,000 award each year through the Milwaukee Advantage Program (MAP). The MAP award is renewable.
- MAP is offered for Fall and Spring semesters. Spring semester admits are eligible for $500.
- Must be enrolled full-time in order to be eligible. Falling below full-time status will result in cancellation of the award. Also, students must be continuously enrolled with no withdrawals or breaks between semesters (fall/spring).
- Must be an undergraduate student seeking a bachelor’s degree and maintain good academic standing.
Please note: The Milwaukee Advantage Program applies to UWM’s main campus in Milwaukee. The branch campuses in Waukesha and Washington County do not participate in the program.
Midwest Tuition
Midwest Tuition is available to residents of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and South Dakota. Midwest Tuition applies to all associate, bachelor’s and graduate programs.
Minnesota–Wisconsin Tuition Reciprocity
The Minnesota-Wisconsin Tuition Reciprocity Agreement allows Minnesota residents attending Wisconsin institutions to receive a special rate. Students attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee pay the higher of the in-state tuition charged by UWM or by the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
If you wish to take advantage of this agreement, apply for certification as a Minnesota resident through the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
Minnesota Reciprocity rates for 2023-24 are currently posted. Rates for 2024-25 are expected in June.
Illinois Tuition
Illinois residents pay UWM’s Midwest Tuition, which is available to residents of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and South Dakota. Midwest Tuition applies to all associate, bachelor’s and graduate programs.
Housing
On-campus housing is available in Milwaukee for First-Year Bridge Program, bachelor’s and graduate students. First-Year Bridge Program students pay associate tuition.
On-campus housing is not available at UWM’s Waukesha and Washington County campuses.
How to Determine What You’ll Pay
There are online tools available to remove some of the guesswork and stress from determining college costs. Our financial aid advisors recommend the resources below.
UWM Total Cost Estimator
Calculate whether you have enough financial aid to cover tuition and fees or if you’ll need to use other funding sources with the UWM Total Cost Estimator.
University Housing
Review rates for housing options and meal plans for the main campus. This is not applicable to UWM at Washington County or UWM at Waukesha.