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, or pre-existing expenses, including tuition costs.

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 or medical care.

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:

Exhausted all other financial resources, including student loans, personal savings, and support from family/friends.

Current student enrolled in the semester for which the emergency grant is requested.

Enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking or certificate program.

Good standing with the university.

Demonstrated a genuine financial emergency that jeopardizes continued enrollment or academic success at UWM.

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 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, your application will be reviewed by an Office of Student Scholarships staff member. You will receive an email regarding the outcome of your application.

Resources

• Contact the UWM Student Financial Service Center with questions regarding financial aid, scholarships, tuition billing and payments, etc.

• Schedule an appointment with a UWM financial aid advisor for more in-depth guidance

• Review opportunities in the Panther Scholarship Portal

• Read about UWM’s payment plan

• Explore GradReady, our financial planning resource (use your UWM ePantherID and password to log in)

• Consider the UWM Food Pantry

• Learn about our Laptop Loan Program