Financial Aid and Veteran Services
Susan Johnson, Director
Student Services Center, Room 103
1108 Fremont Street
Stevens Point, WI 54481-3897
Phone: 715-346-4771
Email: finaid@uwsp.edu
Web: www.uwsp.edu/finaid
How to Apply for Financial Aid
The way to apply for financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form available online at StudentAid.gov. You, and your parents if you are a dependent student, will need an FSA ID to electronically sign your FAFSA. An FSA ID consists of a username and password, and you will be prompted to apply for one when you fill out the FAFSA. Because it may take up to three days to get an FSA ID, go to studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch to obtain one prior to completing the FAFSA. Keep your FSA ID credentials safe because you will need them again for making changes to your FAFSA, filling out future FAFSA, and signing promissory notes.
Apply early: Applications received after May 1 may be awarded less aid as funding becomes depleted.
Financial Aid Eligibility
Financial Aid and Veteran Services administers UW-Stevens Point’s various federal, state institutional, and private financial assistance programs that help students pay their college expenses. Awards are made based on your family’s income and assets, the size of your family, and other information which you provide on your FAFSA form. To be eligible for most types of assistance, you must:
- Demonstrate financial need,
- Be admitted to a UW-Stevens Point degree program or teacher certification program,
- Not be in default on a student loan,
- Not owe a repayment on a student grant, and
- Be enrolled at least half time (except for Pell Grant recipients).
If you enroll less than full time, your financial aid may be reduced. Also, if you fail to make satisfactory academic progress, you will NOT be eligible to receive financial aid even though you may continue enrollment. You are eligible to receive financial aid only ONCE for a previously passed course (up to three attempts). Note that audited courses do NOT count toward credit load for financial aid eligibility.
You may be eligible for some types of aid (loans or scholarships) whether or not you demonstrate financial need.
Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid
In order to be eligible to receive federal financial aid, you must demonstrate “Satisfactory Academic Progress” (SAP) which is a function of the following three components:
Grade Point Average (GPA):
If you are an undergraduate student receiving financial aid, you must maintain a minimum 2.0 UWSP cumulative GPA (all coursework transferred in is considered into this cumulative GPA), while if you are a graduate student receiving financial aid, you must maintain a UWSP minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Note: Standards of satisfactory academic progress for financial aid are different from the University’s probation/suspension requirements listed in the UWSP Catalog. Additionally, academic forgiveness is not counted when calculating SAP.
Pace (67% Rule):
As a full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate student at UWSP who receives financial aid, you must stay on pace to graduate on time. Pace is calculated by dividing the total credits you completed by the total number of credits you have attempted. When this calculation falls below 67%,you are no longer on pace to graduate on time and are ineligible to receive financial aid. Transfer credits are considered within this pace calculation as credits attempted and credits earned.
Maximum Time Frame (150% Rule):
As an eligible undergraduate, graduate, or second degree-seeking student, you can receive federal financial aid while attempting up to, but not exceeding, 150% of the university’s degree completion length. Credits transferred to UWSP and any credits attempted at UWSP, with or without the benefit of financial aid, must be taken into consideration. As an example, if you are a student who is required to earn 120 credits to graduate with a baccalaureate degree, the maximum time frame would be 180 credits (120 x 150% = 180).
Evaluation Process
The GPA, Pace and Maximum Time Frame requirements are evaluated by the Financial Aid and Veteran Services Office after every term (Summer/Fall/Spring), once grades are posted. If you do not meet the GPA, Pace, or Maximum Time Frame requirement(s), you will be ineligible to receive future financial aid. Your options are to:
- Choose to continue to enroll in classes without financial aid until you earn an academic standing that meets the minimum criteria for financial aid purposes, i.e., bring the cumulative GPA up to at least a 2.0 if you are an undergraduate student or 3.0 if you are a graduate student and/or successfully complete 67% of accumulative attempted credits. Once you have corrected the SAP deficiency of Pace/GPA, it is possible for aid to be reinstated.
- Provide documentation to Financial Aid and Veteran Services to correct any errors made, and/or
- Submit an appeal that explains the extenuating circumstances that prevented successful Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and specific steps on how you will reach SAP by the next evaluation period. This appeal requires the development and submission of an academic plan.
Appeal Process
If you did not meet SAP for financial aid and are currently ineligible to receive financial aid, you may appeal for reinstatement of eligibility by completing an Appeal for Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility form. This form must include a clear explanation of why you failed to meet SAP and specifically, what steps you plan to take to meet SAP by the next evaluation. Additional supporting documentation confirming the appealed situation may also be required.
All appeals must also include an academic plan identifying dates by which you will meet all aspects of the SAP policy. If the appeal is approved, you are subsequently placed on Academic Plan Status for one term, after which, you must be meeting SAP or be following your approved academic plan. If you are not meeting SAP and/or not following your approved academic plan at the next evaluation, you will not receive Financial Aid until you are once again in compliance.
If you had extenuating circumstances that prevented you from making SAP, you have the right to appeal your situation to Financial Aid and Veteran Services. Extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to, personal injury or illness, death of a relative or other reasons resulting in undue hardship to you. You must submit the Appeal for Reinstatement of Financial Aid Eligibility form, a copy of your Degree Progress Report (DPR), an Advisor/Chair (or designee)-approved academic plan, and any other related documentation that supports the appeal (see additional information on supporting documentation). Per Federal regulations, an appeal may only be approved if you show that you will be able to meet SAP by the next evaluation, or your academic plan ensures SAP by a specific point in time. The authorized Financial Aid Counselor(s) will serve as the final arbiter of appeals and will inform you of the decision regarding your appeal and the status of your financial aid eligibility. All decisions are final and are not subject to further appeal.
If denied, you may attend UWSP, without financial aid, and either re-appeal at a later date or regain eligibility for financial aid after all components of SAP are met. If you appeal and the appeal is approved, you are placed on Financial Aid Probation Status for one term, after which, you must be meeting SAP or be following your approved academic plan. If you are not meeting SAP or following your academic plan at the next evaluation, you will be ineligible to receive financial aid until you comply with all SAP requirements.
Academic Plan
All appeals require an academic plan identifying dates by which you will meet all aspects of the SAP policy. You should meet with your Academic Advisor in the Academic and Career Advising Center (ACAC) or your faculty advisor from your major to create an individualized academic plan. In the absence of a faculty advisor, you may meet with your Department Chair (or their designee).
Types of Financial Aid
When you apply for financial aid, you are considered for all programs listed below that are based upon need. You may also apply for other forms of assistance.
Grants, Need-Based
Federal Pell Grant: Awards up to $7,395 to undergraduates. Eligibility is determined by completing the FAFSA and based on the Student Aid Index (SAI). The specific award amount depends upon credit load.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: Awards up to $2,000 to exceptionally needy undergraduate students.
Lawton Minority Retention Grant: Awarded to Wisconsin undergraduate diversity students with sophomore standing and a minimum 2.00 GPA.
Wisconsin Hearing and Visually Handicapped Grant: Awards up to $1,800 per year for ten semesters for undergraduate Wisconsin residents who show financial need and have a profound hearing or visual impairment.
Wisconsin Grant: Provides awards based on financial need to undergraduate, Wisconsin residents enrolled at least half-time in a degree or certificate program. Awards are up to $3150 per academic year and are limited to ten semesters.
Wisconsin Talent Incentive Program: Awards from $600-$1,800 to the most financially needy and educationally disadvantaged Wisconsin resident students. Eligibility cannot exceed ten semesters.
Wisconsin Indian Assistance: State awards up to $1,100 to Wisconsin residents who are at least 25% Native American and are enrolled in a degree or certificate program. These awards are based on financial need and have a limit of ten semesters of eligibility.
Pointer Partnership Grant: Awarded to undergraduate degree-seeking students enrolled at least half time, who meet the need criteria.
Pointer Incentive Grant: This state, need-based grant is administered by the UW-Stevens Point Office of Financial Aid. The grant is awarded to undergraduate students with financial need who are Wisconsin residents enrolled at least half-time.
Loans, Need-Based
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan: No interest is charged while the student is enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking, undergraduate program. Annual loan limits are $3,500 the first year, $4,500 the second, and up to $5,500 in subsequent years, to an undergraduate maximum of $23,000.
Loans, NOT Need-Based
Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan: The maximum amount that you may borrow as a dependent student is governed by the same limits as the need-based Subsidized Direct loan plus $2, 000. The limits are higher for independent students: using the same limits as the need-based Subsidized Direct loan + $6,000 for freshmen and sophomores; + $7,000 for juniors and seniors; and $20,500 for graduates.
Federal PLUS or Graduate PLUS Loan: Loans up to the cost of education less all other aid. These loans require a separate application found at studentaid.gov.
Private Educational Loans: Loans from commercial lenders to help cover the cost of attendance. These are last resort loans, which should only be considered if needed after receiving federal financial assistance.
Scholarships
There are several places you can go to get information about scholarships:
Information about scholarships for incoming students can be found at uwsp.edu/admissions-aid/new-student-scholarships and https://www.uwsp.edu/finaid/Pages/firstyrscholarships.aspx.
Check with curricular department offices for awards available for majors in specific courses of study. For a list of majors and minors visit: https://give.uwsp.edu/scholarship-directory
For all-inclusive scholarship information, please visit https://www.uwsp.edu/finaid/Pages/scholarships.aspx.
Military Scholarships
Army ROTC Scholarship: Army ROTC offers opportunities for merit based scholarships at UW-Stevens Point. The scholarships will pay either full tuition & fees or room & board. Contracted scholarship cadets will also receive a $1,200 per year book allowance and $420 per school month for living expenses. High school students may compete for a four-year scholarship online at www.goarmy.com/rotc. On-campus students should contact the Scholarship & Enrollment Officer to determine their eligibility for a two, three, or four-year scholarship. Additional adventure training like airborne or air assault is also available to contracted cadets. For more information contact the Military Science Department, Room 159 Marshfield Clinic Health System Champions Hall (MCCH), phone 715-346-3821, email rotc@uwsp.edu, or go to www.uwsp.edu/rotc.
Simultaneous Member Program (SMP): This program allows you to participate in ROTC and the Army Reserve or National Guard as “officer trainees” to gain even more experience. In addition to the educational benefits that you already receive, SMP cadets may be eligible for MGIB “kickers”, increases in drill pay, and scholarships For more information contact the Military Science Department, Room 159 Marshfield Clinic Health System Champions Hall (MCCH), phone 715-346-3821, email rotc@uwsp.edu, or go to www.uwsp.edu/rotc.
Basic Camp (BC): This obligation free, 28-day summer camp is held in Fort Knox, Kentucky. It is a “catch-up” program for students who have not taken the first two years of ROTC classes. Upon completion of BC, you can receive eight elective credits; you may also be eligible for a contracting bonus, as well as an opportunity to earn a two-year scholarship. For more information contact the Military Science Department, Room 159 Marshfield Clinic Health System Champions Hall (MCCH), phone 715-346-3821, email rotc@uwsp.edu, or go to www.uwsp.edu/rotc.
Jobs for Students
Need a job? Campus Activities and Student Engagement (CASE), located at 050 Dreyfus University Center, 715-346-4700, works to connect students and employers. CASE lists jobs online which are viewable only by current UW-Stevens Point students, including Marshfield and Wausau campuses. CASE can assist you with the following employment programs:
- Federal Work Study Program: Eligibility is based on financial need. Jobs include on-campus lab assistants, office staff, and intramural officials. You can view open positions at the CASE website.
- Non-Work Study Jobs: Over half of the on-campus positions are NOT work study, with many more opportunities off campus. Visit the CASE website for listings of current positions.
Return to Wisconsin Tuition Discount
Nonresident children and grandchildren of UW-Stevens Point alumni may be eligible for a discount of 25 percent off the regular nonresident tuition rate. Contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment, 715-346-2441, for more information.
Military Service Benefits
Veterans, active National Guard members, and Reservists, and dependents of veterans may be eligible for monetary educational benefits while attending school. Please contact the Veterans Services Coordinator located in the Financial Aid and Veterans Services Office, Room 103, Student Services Center or by calling 715-346-4771. The Portage County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO), 715-346-1310, can also provide information regarding these benefits.
Financial Appeals for Tuition and Fees
If you wish to appeal charges resulting from a withdrawal from the University, you may file a request for a Tuition Appeal Form with the Student Financial Services office.
Tuition appeals are processed at least monthly. Appeals are reviewed in accordance with University of Wisconsin System Refund Policies and the Department of Education regulations relating to Title IV. UW-Stevens Point will refund tuition and fees based on the published tuition refund schedule. In limited circumstances, the university will consider an appeal for exception to the refund schedule. Appeals are heard by the Tuition Appeals Committee for extenuating circumstances and require appropriately documentation. Documentation requirements are listed on the Tuition Appeals Form, available on the Student Financial Services website.
Wisconsin Residency Requirements
Section 36.27(2) of the Wisconsin State Statutes (below) lists all the requirements for Wisconsin residency for tuition purposes. It is your responsibility to register correctly as a resident or nonresident. Contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment, admiss@uwsp.edu or 715-346-2441, for interpretation and further information about your proper residency classification. If you wish to request a change in your residency classification, contact the Office of Admissions and Recruitment for the proper forms.
Minnesota Residents: If you meet Minnesota residency requirements at a public institution in Minnesota, you may be eligible to pay the established reciprocity fee for coursework taken at UW-Stevens Point. Contact the UW-Stevens Point Office of Admissions and Recruitment, admiss@uwsp.edu, for more information or go to www.ohe.state.mn.us.
Midwest Exchange Program
The Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) was established by the Midwestern Higher Education Compact to provide qualified students with a more affordable means of attending an out-of-state institution. Students who are residents of a participating state may apply to attend UW-Stevens Point at a significantly reduced tuition rate. To participate, students must be a legal resident of Indiana, Kansans, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, or Ohio. For more information, see http://www.uwsp.edu/admissions/Pages/Affordability/midwestStudentExchangeProgram.aspx.
Wisconsin Statutes Section 36.27(2):
(a) Students qualifying under any of the following categories, while they continue to be residents of this state, are entitled to exemption from nonresident tuition but not from incidental or other fees:
Adult students: Any adult student who has been a bona fide resident of the state for 12 months next preceding the beginning of any semester or session for which such student registers at an institution, OR any adult student who is a dependent of his or her parents under 26 USC 152(a) if one or both of the student’s parents have been bona fide residents of this state for at least 12 months next preceding the beginning of any semester or session for which the student registers at an institution.
Minors: Any minor student, if one or both of the student’s parents have been bona fide residents of this state for at least 12 months next preceding the beginning of any semester or session for which the student registers at an institution; OR any minor student who has resided substantially in this state during the years of minority and at least 12 months next preceding the beginning of any semester or session for which such student registers at an institution.
Minors under guardianship: Any minor student under guardianship in this state whose legal guardian has been a bona fide resident of this state for at least 12 months next preceding the beginning of any semester or session for which such student registers at an institution.
Migrant workers: Any adult student who has been employed as a migrant worker for at least two months each year for three of the five years next preceding the beginning of any semester or session for which the student registers at an institution, or for at least three months each year for two of the five years next preceding the beginning of any semester or session for which the student registers at an institution; any adult student whose parent or legal guardian has been so employed while the student was a minor and any minor student whose parent or legal guardian has been so employed. In this subdivision, “migrant worker” has the meaning specified in s. 103.90(5).
Refugees: (am) Any person who is a refugee, as defined under 8 USC 1101(a)(42), who moved to this state immediately upon arrival in the United States and who has resided in this state continuously since then is entitled to the exemption under par. (a) if he or she demonstrates an intent to establish and maintain a permanent home in Wisconsin according to the criteria under par. (e).
Armed forces, nonresident: (b) Nonresident members of the armed forces and persons engaged in alternative service who are stationed in this state on active duty and their spouses and children are entitled to the exemption under par. (a) during the period that such persons are stationed in this state.
Armed forces, resident: (b) Members of the armed forces, who reside in this state and are stationed at a federal military installation located within 90 miles of the borders of this state, and their spouses and children, are entitled to the exemption under par. (a).
Veterans: Nonresident persons who served in active duty in the U.S. armed forces for at least 10 years, who were honorably discharged from such service within four years before registering at an institution, and who filed state income taxes for at least 8 of the last 10 years of active duty in the U.S. armed forces, and their spouses and children are entitled to exemption under par. (a). A person who was a resident of this state at the time of entry into active duty, who is a resident of and living in this state at the time of registering at an institution, and who is a veteran, as defined in s.45.01(12), is entitled to the exemption under par. (a).
Graduates of Wisconsin high schools: (c) Any student who is a graduate of a Wisconsin high school and whose parents are bona fide residents of this state for 12 months next preceding the beginning of any semester or session for which the student registers at an institution or whose last surviving parent was a bona fide resident of this state for the 12 months preceding death is entitled to the exemption under par. (a).
Relocate for employment purposes: (cm) Any person continuously employed full time in this state, who was relocated to this state by his or her current employer or who moved to this state for employment purposes and accepted his or her current employment before applying for admission to an institution and before moving, and the spouse and dependents of any such person, are entitled to the exemption under par. (a) if the student demonstrates an intent to establish and maintain a permanent home in Wisconsin according to the criteria under par. (e). In this paragraph, “dependents” has the meaning given in 26 USC 152 (a).
General residency information: (d) Any person who has not been a bona fide resident of the state for 12 months next preceding the beginning of any semester or session for which such person registers at an institution, except as provided in this subsection, is not exempt from the payment of the nonresident tuition.
Determining eligibility to pay resident fees: (e) In determining bona fide residence at the time of the beginning of any semester or session and for the preceding 12 months, the intent of the person to establish and maintain a permanent home in Wisconsin is determinative. In addition to representations by the student, intent may be demonstrated or disproved by factors including, but not limited to, timely filing of a Wisconsin income tax return of a type that only full-year Wisconsin residents may file, voter registration in Wisconsin, motor vehicle registration in Wisconsin, possession of a Wisconsin operator’s license, place of employment, self-support, involvement in community activities in Wisconsin, physical presence in Wisconsin for at least 12 months preceding the beginning of the semester or session for which the student registers, and, if the student is not a U.S. citizen, possession of a visa that permits indefinite residence in the United States. Notwithstanding par. (a), a student who enters and remains in this state principally to obtain an education is presumed to continue to reside outside this state and such presumption continues in effect until rebutted by clear and convincing evidence of bona fide residence.
Appeals: (2m) APPEALS. Any body designated by the board to determine nonresident tuition exemptions under sub. (2) may require a student who has been granted such an exemption to submit information from which the body may determine the student’s eligibility for the exemption the student’s eligibility for a different exemption, or the student’s residency status.
New Student and Degree Completion Fees (formerly Matriculation Fee)
The New Student Fee & Degree Completion Fee have replaced the Matriculation Fee, effective with the Fall 2020 term. If you have already been assessed a Matriculation Fee, these fees will not apply. For the New Student and Degree Completion Fees visit: www.uwsp.edu/stuaffairs/Pages/segregatedFees.aspx.
Billing and Payment of Tuition/Fees
Payment Plan Options:
For information on payment options and payment plan details please visit: http://www.uwsp.edu/SFS/Pages/Pay-My-Bill.aspx.
For billing dates and deadlines visit: https://www.uwsp.edu/SFS/Pages/Billing%20Information.aspx.
Finance Charges
For information regarding finance charges visit: https://www.uwsp.edu/SFS/Pages/Billing%20Information.aspx.
E-Billing
UW-Stevens Point electronic billing is the official means of generating tuition bills for all enrolled students. You will receive a notice in your university email account when your UW-Stevens Point E-Bill is ready to be viewed online. A UW-Stevens Point logon and password are required to access the billing statement which details the amount due (tuition, fees, housing, and other university charges) and the payment due date.
Credit Agreement
For information regarding the credit agreement please visit: https://www.uwsp.edu/SFS/Pages/Billing%20Information.aspx.
Billing Errors
If you think your bill is wrong, write us a note about the error within 60 days of receiving your billing statement. Be sure to include your name, your student ID number, the amount of the error, and a brief explanation of why your bill is wrong. Email the note to: Student.Financial.Services@uwsp.edu or mail the note to: Student Financial Services, Room 003, Student Services Center, UW-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI 54481. If only part of your bill is wrong, then pay the correct portion of the bill by the due date.
Refund Schedule for Tuition and Fees
For information regarding direct deposit for refunds, financial aid refunds, tuition refunds and other fees and miscellaneous refunds visit: https://www.uwsp.edu/SFS/Pages/Student-Refunds.aspx.
On-Campus Living (Housing and Food)
At UW-Stevens Point, you are required to live in residence halls until you have been out of high school two years past your graduation date. This is a UW System Board of Regents policy. If you are married, have a dependent child, are a veteran, are living with your parents, or receive a special exemption because you have been out of high school two years or more, you need not comply with this requirement. Accommodations in the Suites@201 are contracted for an entire academic year with billing on a semesterly basis.
Refunds:
For housing contracts that start for the fall semester, housing contract termination requests must be received, via the housing portal, on or before July 1 and approved by Residential Living. Termination requests received and approved by the above deadline do not face a cancellation termination fee. Termination requests for fall semester received and approved after July 1, may face a $150 termination fee if you remain enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point main campus.
For housing contracts that start for the spring semester, housing contract termination requests must be received, via the housing portal, on or before December 15 and approved by Residential Living. Termination requests received and approved by the above deadline do not face a cancellation termination fee. Termination requests for spring semester received and approved after December 15, may face a $150 termination fee if you remain enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point main campus.
If you get married, become a parent, student teach, or participate in curricular programs which require off-campus living outside of a 40-mile radius from Stevens Point, you may request release from your residence hall agreement. To do this, contact or visit Residential Living or submit a cancellation request in your UWSP Housing Portal.
If you withdraw from UW-Stevens Point, you must also terminate your residence hall agreement and properly check-out of your residence hall space. Please see your specific housing contract by visiting https://www.uwsp.edu/residential-living/Pages/applying/contracts.aspx for an explanation of the housing refund schedule based on your check-out date.
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