Universities of Wisconsin Emergency Grant

The Universities of Wisconsin Emergency Grant provides financial assistance to currently enrolled students facing unexpected emergencies that significantly impact their ability to succeed during the semester. The grant will cover up to $1,000. This grant is not intended to cover ongoing, recurring, anticipated, or pre-existing expenses, including tuition costs.

Eligible expenses include:

• Unexpected medical expenses
• Non-routine & unexpected car repairs.
• Travel expenses for a family emergency.
• Replacement of items due to theft or fire damage.

Funds cannot be used for tuition, student fees, textbooks, groceries, entertainment, legal services, fines, forfeitures resulting from legal violations or past due medical bills. 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 a student for an emergency grant.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Current student enrolled in the semester for which the emergency grant is requested.
• Pell grant eligible
• Demonstrated a 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.

To apply, you will need documentation for the expenses you would like covered (e.g., medical bill, quote for car repairs, flight information with amount, screenshot of replacement items with cost, etc.) Complete the Universities of Wisconsin Emergency Grant application and upload supporting documentation by clicking on the “Visit” link below. You cannot update your application once submitted; you will be asked to resubmit if documentation is missing.

If you haven’t already, enroll in direct deposit with the UWM Office of Student Accounts to receive a faster refund.

Your Universities of Wisconsin Emergency Grant application will be reviewed by a UW-Milwaukee Office of Student Scholarships staff member to determine if your request will be approved. If you are ineligible, your application will be denied. You may contact the Office of Student Scholarships if you have questions.

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