The cost of tuition and how you will pay for your education is an important part of your decision. Financial aid, including grants, scholarships, military benefits, employer tuition reimbursement, and loans, can help bring your degree, certificate, or course within reach.
We explain tuition and financial aid in this overview, to help you get started.
Tuition
You’ll pay the same tuition whether you live in Wisconsin or out of state, however, tuition varies by program. Visit your degree or certificate program page for specific tuition details.
There are no additional course or program fees, however, textbooks are purchased separately. As these are online programs, you will not pay segregated fees (fees for student services, activities, programs, and facilities). You will not pay a technology fee; if a course requires software or special technology, we will provide it to you without charging a fee.
Financial Aid
Financial aid may be available to you as a new or returning adult student and is awarded by your home campus; visit your degree or certificate program page for details.
Your first step when applying for federal and state financial aid is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Even if you haven’t made a final decision to apply, you may want to file the FAFSA. Federal financial aid is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who apply early have a better chance of receiving aid, including grant aid that does not have to be repaid.
Please check with your home campus regarding minimum credits required to qualify for financial aid as a full- or part-time student.
Ways to Pay for Your Education
As an online student, you may consider the following sources of financial aid to help with the cost of your online education:
- Grants—award is usually based on financial need. Grants, unlike loans, generally do not have to be repaid.
- Scholarships—usually based on academic merit, financial need, or other criteria, awarded by a wide range of organizations. Scholarships do not need to be repaid.
- Loans—a loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest. Student loans are available from the federal government, private sources such as a bank or financial institution, or other sources. Federal student loans usually have lower interest rates than private loans, and offer flexible repayment plans.
- Military benefits—aid available to eligible veterans and current members of the military.
- Tuition reimbursement—a benefit offered by companies to their employees to help pay for education. Ask your human resources department if your company offers this benefit.
- Education tax benefits—research possible tax benefits with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Contact your home campus financial aid office for more specific information on eligibility and options available to you.
Grants and Scholarships through UW Online Collaboratives
- Any UW Flexible Option or UW Online Collaborative program: new students in a degree or certificate program within the UW Flexible Option or UW Online Collaboratives are eligible for the Aspire Scholarship. The goal of this scholarship is to assist in students’ success as they start their educational journey with us.
- Independent Learning, Associate of Arts and Sciences: new and continuing students in UW Independent Learning or one of the Associate of Arts and Sciences degree programs (semester or competency-based) may be eligible for the Sylvia Rose Memorial Scholarship.
- Sustainable Management programs: new and continuing students in the Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management or Master of Science in Sustainable Management degree programs are eligible for a scholarship. Students interested in a career in sustainability are encouraged to apply to the programs and submit a scholarship application.
- Students currently enrolled in or withdrawn from a semester-based collaborative program may be eligible for a grant or scholarship to help with tuition balances and emergencies.
Veteran/Military Benefits
Benefits are available to eligible veterans and current members of the military. Contact your home campus financial aid office office for more specific information on eligibility and options that may be available to you.
