UWM Emergency Grant

The UWM Emergency Grant helps currently enrolled students who have financial hardship cover expenses related to unforeseen emergencies that significantly impact their ability to be successful during the semester. This grant is intended for one-time emergency situations that occur during the semester. In most cases. the award 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 support pre-existing, ongoing, or recurring expenses. If a student’s situation is unrelated to an unforeseen emergency or if they seek funding to pay tuition, the student should apply for scholarships instead. Unfortunately, simply lacking funds does not qualify you for an emergency grant.

Examples of qualifying circumstances:

  • To replace books and supplies that have been stolen or destroyed in a fire.
  • To provide food and personal items related to unanticipated changes to finances.
  • To provide temporary housing for students who leave unsafe living environments.
  • To help pay for non-routine expenses, such as car repairs or medical care.
  • To cover short-term expenses associated with a sudden unexpected job loss or illness.
  • To help with the travel costs because of the death of an immediate family member.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Exhausted all other financial resources (e.g., student loans, savings, friends and family, etc.)
  • Current student enrolled in the term in which an emergency grant is requested.
  • Enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking or certificate program.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for undergraduates; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for graduate students.
  • No disciplinary holds and good standing with the University.
  • Demonstrated emergency financial need that hinders continued enrollment and success at UWM.
  • The grant will significantly impact and improve the recipient’s circumstances.
  • Have previously not been granted an emergency grant.

If you are unsure or have previously been awarded an emergency grant and again need emergency funding, please contact the Dean of Students Office.

How to Apply
1) Submit the Panther Scholarship Portal General Application.
2) Submit the UWM Emergency Grant application.
***Note: The scholarship portal may time out after 15 minutes; be sure to save your applications every few minutes to avoid losing your progress.

Review Process
Students who satisfy the eligibility criteria above will be contacted by a staff member to schedule a time to discuss your circumstances. In most cases, students who are awarded a grant will generally receive funds within ten business days of approval.

Award
Varies (typically not exceeding $1,000)
Schools, Colleges, Departments, and Areas
University-Wide Scholarships
Deadline
06/30/2025
Supplemental Questions
  1. What was the date of your financial emergency?
  2. Describe your emergency financial need and how the funding will help you.
  3. For what types of expenses are you requesting funds? Select all that apply.
  4. What is the amount you are requesting?
  5. Upload supporting documentation regarding your expenses, the emergency, and/or your financial need.
  6. As needed; upload additional supporting documentation regarding your expenses, the emergency, and/or your financial need.
  7. As needed; this is additional space for uploading documents.
  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. If funds are available and you are eligible for a grant, we will schedule a time for you to meet with a reviewer. Please indicate your availability for the following days and also your preferred method to meet.
    • 1. Availability on Mondays
    • 2. Availability on Tuesdays
    • 3. Availability on Wednesdays
    • 4. Availability on Thursdays
    • 5. Availability on Fridays
    • 6. Which meeting method do you prefer?
    • 7. What is your preferred phone number to be contacted?
    • 8. What is your preferred email address to be contacted?
  13. How did you find out about the UWM Emergency Grant?
  14. Which of the following are true for you? Select all that apply.
  15. Do you certify that the information disclosed on this application is true?
  16. Show 10 more