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. Students who apply who are not enrolled in courses for the current term will be considered ineligible.

This grant is intended for one-time emergencies 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 does not 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 like non-maintenance 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 need emergency funding again, please contact the Office of Student Scholarships.

How to Apply

  1. Submit the Panther Scholarship Portal General Application.
  2. Submit the UWM Emergency Grant application (If you are currently enrolled in summer 2025 courses and cannot access this application, please contact the Office of Student Scholarships so a staff member can assist you.)

Your UWM Emergency Grant application will be reviewed by a UWM Office of Student Scholarships staff member to determine if your application will be approved. If approved, you will receive your emergency funds within 10 business days. You may contact the Office of Student Scholarships if you have questions.

Your application may time out after 15 minutes; save your application every few minutes to avoid losing your progress.

Resources

Award
Varies (typically not exceeding $1,000)
Schools, Colleges, Departments, and Areas
Emergency Grants, University-Wide Scholarships
Deadline
06/30/2025
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. Describe your emergency financial need and how the funding will help you.
  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. Which of the following are true for you? Select all that apply.
  14. Do you certify that the information disclosed on this application is true?
  15. Show 9 more