Grants
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Grants are a form of gift aid, which means they do not have to be repaid. Most grants are awarded only to students with financial need as determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process. Eligibility requirements for the various grant programs are listed below.
Types of Grants
- Advanced Opportunity Grant (AOP)
- Children of Fallen Heroes
- Federal Indian Grant
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
- Lawton Undergraduate Minority Retention Grant
- Non-Resident Grant
- Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG)
- Talent Incentive Program Grant (TIP)
- Wisconsin Grant for Study Abroad
- Wisconsin Hearing/Visually Handicapped Grant
- Wisconsin Grant
- Wisconsin Indian Student Assistance Grant
Advanced Opportunity Grant (AOP)
The Advanced Opportunity Grant is awarded to graduate students that are members of traditionally underrepresented minority groups (African American, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaskan Native or statutorily designated Southeast Asian) or non-minority, financially disadvantaged students. Both Wisconsin residents and non-residents are eligible. Full-time and part-time graduate students are eligible to apply. The Advanced Opportunity Grant Program has served approximately 40 students annually.
Children of Fallen Heroes
Under this scholarship, a Pell-eligible student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made. To qualify for this scholarship, a student must be Pell-eligible and have a Pell-eligible Student Aid Index (SAI), and be less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parent’s or guardian’s death. In subsequent award years, the student continues to be eligible for the scholarship, as long as the student has a Pell-eligible SAI and continues to be an eligible student. Students who think they qualify for this Scholarship should contact the Financial Aid Office.
Federal Indian Grant
Students of Native American heritage may be eligible for an education grant or scholarship from their tribe. The grant is awarded by the tribe based upon information provided by the Financial Aid Office. The amount of the grant varies by tribe. In order to apply, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit the tribal application form to the Financial Aid Office. Students who need assistance determining their tribal heritage should contact the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree. To determine a student's eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant, the U.S. Department of Education uses a standard formula to evaluate the information supplied on the FAFSA. The formula produces a Student Aid Index (SAI), which in part indicates whether or not the student is eligible for a Pell Grant. The amount of the Pell Grant is subject to change based on verification of FAFSA data and changes in enrollment. Students may be eligible for a Pell Grant at less than half time enrollment. The Financial Aid Office must verify the student attended all courses for which a Pell Grant is received and the Pell Grant will be adjusted for lack of attendance. In some cases, the Pell Grant may be available for summer term, even if a student attended full time during the academic year. The Pell Grant is limited to 12 semesters of full-time awards.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is awarded to Pell Grant eligible undergraduate students with exceptional need, based on the Student Aid Index (SAI). Students must be enrolled at least half time to be considered for FSEOG. Eligibility is also based on availability of funds which is limited. The maximum FSEOG awarded during an academic year is $800.
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
Consistent with provisions added to the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (the HEA), by the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Public Law 110-315, under certain conditions an otherwise eligible student whose parent or guardian died as a result of U.S. military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001, may receive increased amounts of Title IV student financial assistance. Students are eligible for increased aid under these provisions if the student was 23 years of age or younger when the parent or guardian died or, if the student was over age 23, he or she was enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of the parent or guardian’s death.
Lawton Undergraduate Minority Retention Grant
This grant provides funds to undergraduate minority students who are at least sophomore status. Applicants must be African-American, Latino, Native American or Southeast Asian students. Southeast Asian students must be of Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian or Hmong heritage. Students must file a FAFSA so financial need can be determined.
Qualifying minorities must be U.S. citizens and Wisconsin residents who are enrolled full time and making satisfactory academic progress. Students who demonstrate financial need must have a grade point average of 2.0 or better. This grant is limited to 8 semesters and provides between $1500-$2500, depending on the applicant's grade point average.
Contact the Lawton Grant Coordinator at lawtongrant@uww.edu, (262)472-4656 or stop by 107 McCutchan Hall for applications and/or information.
Non-Resident Grant
These grants are available to Non-Resident students (excluding Minnesota Reciprocity, Return to Wisconsin, and Midwest Tuition Rate) enrolled full-time and demonstrating financial need. Continuing students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or better. These awards cover part of non-resident tuition charges. If non-resident tuition is not assessed for the term of an award or if these charges are covered by another type of non-resident remission, the Non-Resident Grant will not apply for that award period. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the priority date to be considered for this grant as there are limited funds available.
Talent Incentive Program Grant (TIP)
The Talent Incentive Program Grant is administered by the Department of Public Instruction's Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Program. The purpose of TIP is to provide supplemental grant awards to extremely needy students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Students must be nominated for this grant as a freshman. In order to receive the award in future terms, students must remain continuously enrolled at half-time status at a minimum. Awards are limited to 10 semesters. Visit the WEOP website for application information.
Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG)
This grant is awarded to Wisconsin residents. Students must have an unmet financial need to qualify for this grant and must be enrolled at least half time. In most years, TAG is awarded to those who fall outside of Wisconsin Grant eligibility. Awards are tied to the availability of funds which is limited.
Wisconsin Grant for Study Abroad
There is a limited amount of funding for study abroad grants. These grants are intended to increase the number of UW System students studying abroad. Grants will be provided for only those experiences that grant credit regardless of program length. A recipient must be a resident undergraduate student enrolled in a program leading to a bachelor's degree who has earned at least 24 credits. The student must demonstrate financial need. Priority is given to students studying abroad for an entire semester. Contact the Center for Global Education, Hyland Hall Suite 1227, 262-472-5759 or international@uww.edu, for applications and information.
Wisconsin Hearing/Visually Handicapped Grant
These grants provide assistance to Wisconsin residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired. To qualify, such students need to demonstrate financial need. Awards are determined by the Higher Educational Aids Board. Contact ShariLynn DuClos for more information.
Wisconsin Grant
The Wisconsin Grant is a state-funded grant available to undergraduate Wisconsin residents who demonstrate financial need. Students must be enrolled at least half time. Awards amounts are determined by a state formula which is revised annually. Awards are limited to 10 semesters.
Wisconsin Indian Student Assistance Program
The Indian Student Assistance Program grants are available to Native Americans who are Wisconsin residents, demonstrate financial need, and are at least 25% Native American. Applications are available from the Higher Educational Aids Board. Awards are limited to 10 semesters. Contact Ben Dobner in the Financial Aid Office for more information.