2008-09 Financial Aid for Graduate and Law Students
How and When to Apply
Your E-mail Address
Your Costs of Attendance
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
Meeting Your Financial Need
Your Financial Aid Award Offer
Other Aid you May Be Receiving
Appeals and Special Circumstances
Types of Aid
Student Employment
Short-Term Loans
Financial Counseling
Other Types of Assistance
Eligibility
Student Consumer Information
The Office of Student Financial Services (OSFS) assists students whose personal and family resources are not adequate to cover the expenses involved in attending the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The office also provides counseling to help students manage their money effectively, information on other potential sources of financial assistance (such as employment), debt management counseling, and small short-term loans for emergency situations.
How and When to Apply
All aid applicants must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at the Department of Education Web site at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Use UW–Madison’s school code: 003895. If you completed a 2007–08 FAFSA, use your federal PIN number to file a Renewal FAFSA from the above Web site. After we receive your FAFSA we may request other information from you such as your 2007 federal tax returns. The best way to check the progress of your aid application is through the Student Center of My UW–Madison at my.wisc.edu.
Summer Aid: Students must go to My UW–Madison (my.wisc.edu) to apply for summer 2008 financial aid. Once in My UW–Madison, click on “Student Center.” In the “Finances” section find “View Financial Aid,” select aid year 2009, and click on “Summer Application.” Submit all 2008–09 forms by late April. All students must be enrolled at least half-time in a session at least 4 weeks in length. If you receive a Federal Stafford Loan during the summer it may affect the amount you can receive during the academic year.
Special Students:: A person who plans to enroll as a university special, school special, or college special does not qualify for federal financial aid, except EDCS and a limited group of students taking prerequisites for grad school. We will review your classes to determine your aid eligibility for Federal Stafford Loan and Federal Work-Study. Contact our office for more information
Note: Financial aid is given on an annual basis. A student must reapply each year.
Your Email Address
Our office will correspond with you at your “wisc.edu” e-mail address, or at your mailing address if you have no e-mail address. To keep both addresses current, do one of the following:
- New applicants can use their campus ID and PIN to access MyInfo at www.myinfo.wisc.edu.
- Continuing students can use their NetID and password to access My UW-Madison at http://my.wisc.edu.
Your Cost of Attendance
Although expenses at UW–Madison will vary among all students, the university bases its decisions regarding financial aid on cost-of-attendance estimates, or “budgets.” Following are the estimated average nine-month costs used for a graduate student for the 2008–09 academic year.
Wisconsin Resident |
Non-Resident |
Minnesota Resident | |
| Tuition & Fees |
$9,980 | $25,250 | $11,110 |
| Books & Supplies |
990 | 990 | 990 |
| Room & Board (off campus) |
8,250 | 8,250 | 8,250 |
| Miscellaneous |
4,070 | 4,070 | 4,070 |
| Travel |
560 | 560 | 560 |
| Total |
$23,850 |
$39,120 | $24,980 |
Note:
- Budgets for law and business students will be higher due to the higher cost of tuition, books, and supplies.
- Residency for tuition purposes is determined by the residence examiner in the Office of the Registrar. Informal opinions by university staff regarding residence status are not official.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
It is a basic premise of financial aid programs that the primary responsibility rests with students to pay college expenses. A measure of a student’s financial strength is called the Expected Family Contribution. This includes the prior year’s income, awards, and benefits from agencies outside the university, student (and spouse) assets, fellowships, and other support from the university, such as internships or house fellowships.
Meeting Your Financial Need
For financial aid purposes, “need” is defined as the difference between the cost of attendance as defined by the university and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated from the information you provided on your FAFSA.
Aid from our office is generally offered in the form of long-term, low-interest loans. High-need students may be offered the option of a work-study job to replace part of the loan or in addition to the loan.
The Office of Student Financial Services makes every effort to meet your computed financial need; however, in some cases there are not enough funds available to do so, especially for students paying non-resident tuition. You may need to rely on Grad PLUS Loans or alternative loans to supplement your aid package.
Financial Aid Award Offer
Note: Our office must be notified by the Graduate School that you have been admitted before your aid application will be processed.
| Application Completed | Expect To Receive Award Offer |
| Before late February | By May 1 |
| Late February through rest of year | Several weeks after receipt of entire application |
Summer applicants should expect to receive an award offer before June 1 if they promptly submit all forms by mid-April.
Other Aid you May Be Receiving
You are required to notify our office of any outside aid (not awarded by our office) that you might be receiving. This includes, but is not limited to, private and departmental scholarships, fellowships or assistantships. Notify our office as soon as possible as to the terms and amounts of these awards to prevent having to repay some of your financial aid.
Appeals and Special Circumstances
If you feel your award does not reflect your current circumstances, it is possible to appeal for reconsideration. Appeals should be submitted in writing to the Office of Student Financial Services. Usually, appeals are successful only when income or expense information changes from a student’s original application.
Types of Aid
By submitting a financial aid application you will be considered for the following types of aid.
Federal Work-Study (FWS): ): This program provides employment either on campus or in a nonprofit off-campus community agency. Amounts students can earn usually range from $500 to about $2,500 per academic year and are based on financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Services and on fund availability.
Federal Stafford Loan:: This loan is obtained through a commercial lending institution and is guaranteed, or insured, by state or private agencies. Graduate students who qualify may borrow up to $8,500 per year for up to five years with a cumulative maximum of $65,500. This cumulative maximum includes any amount borrowed while an undergraduate. The interest rate is fixed at 6.8%, with a cap of 8.25% for new borrowers. Neither interest nor principal payments begin until six months after the borrower leaves school or is no longer enrolled at least half-time. Fees of up to 2% may be deducted from the loan funds. Eligibility is based on financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Services.
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan: : : This loan has the same terms and conditions as the Federal Stafford Loan except that the borrower is responsible for interest that accrues while the student is in school. Eligibility is not based on financial need, but the loan amount cannot exceed the difference between the student budget and other aid. Borrowers may receive Unsubsidized Stafford Loans up to $20,500 per year, minus any Subsidized Stafford Loan eligibility.
Note:More detailed information about these programs will be provided when assistance is actually offered, including (1) the means by which payment of awards will be made,(2) the terms of any loan received and sample repayment schedules, (3) the general conditions and terms applicable to any work-study job (4) the responsibilities involved in accepting a specific type of aid.
Student Employment
Although work-study positions are limited to students who have been offered Federal Work-Study as part of their financial aid package, there are many other jobs advertised through the UW Student Job Center, lower level at 432 N. Murray St. Both on- and off-campus job openings are posted daily on the Job Center’s Web site: http://uwjobs.osfs.wisc.edu. These jobs are open to all students and their spouses. In addition, the Memorial Union, Union South, University Hospital and Clinics, University Housing, and campus libraries all hire many student employees each semester.
Short-Term Loans
Short-term loans are available on a limited basis. These loans are only given to assist in unanticipated emergency situations. All short-term loans must be repaid within the semester in which they are borrowed. To be considered for a short-term loan, you must complete a short-term loan application and submit it in an appointment with a financial aid counselor.
Law students should apply for short-term loans through the Law School.
Financial Counseling
Many financial aid questions can be answered by the OSFS front desk staff, but in some cases it is necessary to see a financial aid counselor. Counseling is available to students who want more information about financial aid, employment, personal budgeting, or debt management. Students can see a counselor by appointment in the Office of Student Financial Services during the regular hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Other Types of Assistance
Following are some other types of aid for which you may be eligible. Application procedures vary for each program.
Federal Grad PLUS Loan: : This is a new loan program as of July 1, 2006. Grad PLUS has a fixed rate of 8.5% which begins accruing once the loan is fully disbursed; however, principal payment can be delayed until after you leave school. There is no grace period. There will also be a credit check done before the final approval to determine that the applicant does not have an adverse credit history. This loan can be consolidated with all of your other eligible federal loans if you decide to consolidate after you leave school. You can borrow up to the cost of education minus any other financial aid, but you must apply for the annual maximum eligibility under the Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loan Program before applying for a Graduate PLUS loan. A guarantee fee of up to a 1%, plus a 3% origination fee, is deducted from the loan funds.
Alternative Loans: : These are loans which are offered through private lenders and are meant to provide additional aid only after a student has applied for all other sources of funding, such as Federal Stafford Loan and Federal GradPlus Loans. These loans are not guaranteed by the federal government and may carry high interest rates. All require credit checks and most will require a co-signer if the borrower has little or negative credit history. Visit the OSFS Web site for a detailed list of alternative loans.
Assistantships and Fellowships: : : There are many types of financial assistance available to graduate students through the academic departments, the Law School, and the Graduate School. Eligibility requirements, terms, and amounts vary according to the specific award. Many times recipients are required to work. TAs, PAs, and RAs with one-third appointments receive a full tuition waiver for the appointment term. For other appointments there may be a waiver of the nonresident portion of tuition included as part of the award for nonresident students. Selection may be based on academic excellence, financial need, a combination of these two or other factors. Contact your academic department or the Law School for further information. Often, applicants are required to submit their applications far in advance of their intended enrollment date, so apply as soon as possible. Note: These awards must be taken into consideration when the Office of Student Financial Services determines your eligibility for federal financial aid.
Students with Disabilities may be eligible for tuition and book funding through a grant from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). For further information, visit www.dwd.state.wi.us/dvr. For information regarding disability-related services and programs on the UW–Madison campus, contact the McBurney Disability Resource Center, 155 Middleton Library, 1305 Linden Dr., Madison, WI 53706, 608/263-2741.
Veterans: There may be both long-term loans and monthly G.I. Bill benefits available to veterans to help meet their educational expenses. For further information, contact the Veterans Information Center, 714 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706, 608/263-3456.
Child Care Tuition Assistance Program: : Students with children may qualify for up to $1,400 per academic year to assist in paying child-care costs. Payments are made directly to the day-care provider. Eligibility is based on financial need, but unlike many other financial aid programs, all students, including special students, those enrolled less than half-time, international students, and others, are potentially eligible. Applications are available from the Office of Student Financial Services.
There are no grant or scholarship funds available to graduate or law students through the Office of Student Financial Services. There is only loan and work-study assistance. However, the academic departments, the Graduate School, and the Law School are good sources for information about fellowships and assistantships.
Eligibility
In order to receive loan funds and/or work-study assistance through the Office of Student Financial Services, a graduate or law student must:
- be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States (international students are not eligible for any aid through the Office of Student Financial Services);
- be admitted as a graduate or law student at UW-Madison;
- show financial need as determined by the Office of Student Financial Services (except for unsubsidized loans);
- maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the Graduate or Law school;
- carry at least a half-time credit load each semester. (4 credits for graduate students, 6 credits for law students);
- meet the specific eligibility requirements for each of the aid programs he or she accepts;
- not be in default on any federal educational loan, not show an unwillingness to repay any educational loan, and not owe any refund on a federal grant or loan;
- have a valid Social Security Number;
- be in compliance with Selective Service registration;
- have no convictions for the sale or possession of illegal drugs. Depending on the date of conviction, the student may not be eligible for federal student aid;
- not be delinquent in court-ordered child support and/or maintenance (applies to State of Wisconsin controlled grants and scholarships).
Generally, the Office of Student Financial Services will not fund a graduate or law student beyond 10 semesters. This is in addition to aid received as an undergraduate. Summer aid counts as one-half semester.
Student Consumer Information
- Data on student retention rates are available from the Office of the Registrar. Web site, www.registrar.wisc.edu.
- Information on academic programs, faculty, and physical facilities is available in both the UW–Madison Graduate School Catalog or on the Web site, www.wisc.edu.
- Information regarding university accreditation may be obtained from the Academic Planning and Analysis Office Web site, apa.wisc.edu.
- The university tuition refund policy for withdrawal from classes is available in the “TuitionGuide,” available online at registrar.wisc.edu. Students with financial aid will be required to return any tuition refund to the university’s financial aid accounts.
- Students who withdraw from the university may have to repay a portion of their aid to the university. The exact amount of the repayment will vary depending on when the withdrawal occurs. Any tuition refund coming to the student will automatically be applied toward the amount that must be repaid.
- Criteria used to determine whether a student is maintaining satisfactory academic progress in terms of financial aid eligibility are available in the “Student Award Guide” on our Web site.
In its resolve to create teaching and learning environments that support diversity, UW–Madison will ensure compliance with federal and state laws and campus policies that provide separate prohibitions against discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin or ancestry, age, or disability. State law additionally prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, arrest or conviction record, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, military status, or veteran status. The application of specific state prohibitions on discrimination may be influenced by an individual’s status as an employee or student. Department of Defense personnel policies governing enlistment and commissioning of armed forces personnel and awarding of Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarships to UW–Madison students do discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and UW–Madison faculty, staff, and student governance groups have registered their strong opposition to this discrimination and urge the Department of Defense to change its policy. University policies also prohibit harassment on the basis of ethnicity.
Inquiries concerning this policy may be directed to the appropriate campus admitting or employing unit or to the Equity and Diversity Resource Center, 179A Bascom Hall, 500 Lincoln Drive, Madison, WI 53706–1380; 608/263–2378; TTY 608/263–2473
The information in this brochure was the most accurate available at the time of publication. It is subject to change at any time without notice.
Office of Student Financial Services
University of Wisconsin-Madison
432 N. Murray Street
Madison, WI 53706-1496
608/262-3060 fax 608/262-9068
E-mail: finaid@finaid.wisc.edu
Web site: www.finaid.wisc.edu
Produced by University Communications