UWM Emergency Grant

The UWM Emergency Grant provides financial assistance to currently enrolled students facing unexpected emergencies that significantly impact their ability to succeed during the semester. In most cases, the grant will not exceed $1,000, and a student will receive only one emergency grant in their academic career at UWM. This grant is not intended to cover ongoing, recurring, anticipated, or pre-existing expenses, including tuition costs.

This application will open for Fall 2025 student submissions beginning on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.


Examples of eligible emergencies:

  • Replacing books and supplies that have been stolen or destroyed in a fire.
  • Providing food and personal items related to unanticipated changes to finances.
  • Providing temporary housing for students who need to leave unsafe living environments.
  • Helping pay for non-routine expenses like unexpected car repairs.
  • Assisting with short-term expenses associated with an unexpected job loss or illness.
  • Helping with travel costs following the death of an immediate family member.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Current student enrolled in the semester for which the emergency grant is requested.
  • Demonstrated genuine financial emergency that jeopardizes continued enrollment or academic success at UWM.
  • Exhausted all other financial resources, including student loans, personal savings, and support from family/friends.
  • Enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking or certificate program.
  • Good standing with the university.
  • Have not previously received an emergency grant.

Unfortunately, simply lacking funds does not qualify as an emergency. This grant is reserved for situations that are truly unexpected and urgent.

If you are unsure if you should apply or have previously been awarded an emergency grant and are experiencing a new financial emergency, please contact the Office of Student Scholarships.

Students must submit the Panther Scholarship Portal General Application before they can apply for the UWM Emergency Grant. Note: Your application may time out after 15 minutes; save your application every few minutes to avoid losing your progress.

Once your application has been submitted, it will be reviewed by an Office of Student Scholarships staff member. As part of the application review process, you may be required to meet with a financial aid advisor in the Student Financial Service Center. Watch your UWM inbox closely for communication regarding your application. Due to limited funds available, unfortunately, not every eligible student will receive a grant.

Resources

Award
Varies (typically not exceeding $1000)
Schools, Colleges, Departments, and Areas
Emergency Grants, University-Wide Scholarships
Deadline
12/11/2025
Supplemental Questions
  1. What was the date of your financial emergency?
  2. For what types of expenses are you requesting funds? Select all that apply.
  3. What is the amount you are requesting?
  4. Provide a clear and concise statement regarding your financial emergency.
  5. Upload supporting documentation regarding your expenses, the emergency, and/or your financial need.
  6. As needed; this is additional space for uploading documents (2).
  7. As needed; this is additional space for uploading documents (3).
  8. As needed; this is additional space for uploading documents (4).
  9. As needed; this is additional space for uploading documents (5).
  10. As needed; this is additional space for uploading documents (6).
  11. As needed; this is additional space for uploading documents (7).
  12. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Information
    • 1. Have you submitted a FAFSA for the current academic year?
    • 2. If you have not submitted a FAFSA for the current academic year, explain why. (If you have submitted a FAFSA, enter Not Applicable for your response.)
    • 3. If you submitted a FAFSA, have you accepted all available aid including loans?
    • 4. In addition to financial aid, have you exhausted all other financial resources?
    • 5. If you have not exhausted all other financial resources, please explain why. (If you have exhausted all other financial resources, enter Not Applicable for your response.)
  13. Review of your application may require you to meet with a financial aid advisor in the Student Financial Service Center. Please provide your hours of availability each weekday between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM and meeting format preference (phone, virtual, in-person).
  14. Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive funds should you be awarded an emergency grant.
  15. I certify that the information disclosed on this application is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
  16. Show 10 more