There are several financial opportunities for graduate students to take advantage of at UW-Eau Claire.

Assistantships and Fellowships

If you would like to be considered for a graduate assistantship, graduate fellowship, or the Advanced Opportunity Program (AOP), the priority application date is March 1 for the following academic year.

Once you have submitted an application to a UW-Eau Claire graduate program and have activated your UWEC account, you may apply online for UW-Eau Claire scholarships on the Gold for Blugolds scholarship site. Submit a Graduate Studies Assistantship, Fellowship, AOP Application if you are interested in graduate assistantship employment, the Graduate Student Foundation Fellowship, or the Advanced Opportunity Program (all available in one simple application). You will be asked to upload a resume if applying for a Graduate Assistantship position or Graduate Student Foundation Fellowship. 

Initial assistantship and fellowship awards are made in early spring. The deadline for any subsequent competition for filling assistantships or fellowships after initial awards are made will be posted by the Graduate Dean. Applications for other forms of aid should be submitted as early as possible.

Graduate students are considered eligible for assistantships if enrolled in a minimum of four graduate credits, a minimum of three graduate credits for fellowships, and at least four graduate credits for AOP grants. Enrollment in at least one thesis credit or in an applied field project (which is coded as FTE) is also considered full-time enrollment for financial aid and enrollment certification purposes.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are available to graduate students who have been admitted in “full standing” to a degree program. Although most graduate assistantship positions require that the student work 13.3-hours per week (part-time) for an academic department, graduate assistantship positions may range from as few as 6 hours per week up to 20 hours per week, which is full-time. Graduate assistants must be enrolled at least half-time, which is four credit hours during the fall/spring semesters, but no more than ten credit hours per semester, if employed as a full-time graduate assistant.  Graduate assistants working at least 13.3-hours per week may be eligible for health insurance and other benefits, as well as out-of-state tuition remission.

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Foundation Fellowships/Scholarships

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Foundation Fellowships are awarded on the basis of scholarship and scholarly potential. Fellowship recipients must be admitted in full standing to a degree program or be eligible for admission upon completion of the baccalaureate degree. The Graduate Student Foundation Fellowship is awarded by the Office of Graduate Studies, but there are other scholarships available through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation. Within the list of Foundation scholarships in Gold for Blugolds, select "Graduate Student" under "Student Status" to find scholarships available to graduate students. A student must be enrolled in at least three credit hours during the fall and spring semesters and one credit hour during the summer session, unless otherwise specified by the scholarship.

Advanced Opportunity Program (AOP) Grants

Advanced Opportunity Program (AOP) awards are based, in part, on admission to full standing in a degree program (or eligibility for full standing upon completion of the baccalaureate degree). AOP grants are intended for economically disadvantaged non-minority graduate students. Only students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible for these awards. All AOP recipients must maintain good academic standing, make satisfactory academic progress in their graduate program, and demonstrate financial need. In the semester/session during which the award is received, recipients must carry an academic load of at least four credit hours (three credit hours during the summer session) or be enrolled in at least one thesis credit. To be considered for an AOP grant, students must have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) filed with Financial Aid and be currently enrolled at least two months before the start of classes and have submitted the AOP application with the Gold for Blugolds Scholarship site. The priority date for filing an AOP application is March 1 for the upcoming academic year, including the following summer session; however, applications will continue to be accepted as funding remains available. All graduate students enrolled in a degree program at UW-Eau Claire are welcome to apply for the AOP grants; preference is given to full-time Wisconsin resident students. Out-of-state students who receive an AOP grant may be eligible to receive a partial or full non-resident tuition remission the semester/session in which the grant is received.

Fee Schedule

A fee schedule is established each year. The fees and procedures described in this section are estimates.  Prospective students should refer to the Class Schedule, which contains up-to-date information about course fees.  Fee information can be found on the Tuition and Fee website.  The determination of student level (undergraduate or graduate) for the purpose of fee assessment is based on the student’s classification. A student who registers for graduate credit will be classified as a graduate student for the term and will be assessed graduate-level fees for all course work. Exceptions may be made for undergraduates taking graduate courses in accordance with the policy described in this catalog (see Enrollment of Undergraduates for Graduate Credit in Registration section of Undergraduate Catalog).  Some of the online courses and/or programs may have their own unique tuition and fees schedule.

The payment of segregated fees entitles a student to a student identification (ID) card. This card entitles the student to attend most University activities and to make use of University facilities (see Your Right to Know handbook and Blugold Card Services section).

Tuition and Residency

A Wisconsin Statute requires the payment of nonresident tuition by students who are residents of states other than Wisconsin or who have not been bona fide residents of Wisconsin for one year (12 months) immediately preceding the beginning of the semester for which they are registering.  Determination of resident status for tuition purposes is made by the Office of Admissions at the time of admission.

If the original residence status for tuition purposes is designated as nonresident, this status remains in effect unless the student requests and is granted reclassification.  Such requests should be addresses to the Office of Admissions prior to the beginning of the semester in which reclassification is to take effect.

In some programs, especially those offered online, residency may not be a factor, as tuition and fees may be the same rate for all students.

Minnesota/Wisconsin Tuition Reciprocity

The current reciprocity agreement between Minnesota and Wisconsin enables a Minnesota resident to attend Wisconsin public institutions of higher education at rates approximating tuition prevailing in the Minnesota State University System. Those wishing to take advantage of this tuition remission must apply well in advance of their initial enrollment at a Wisconsin System institution. Approval covers the full year (including winterim and Summer Sessions) and is automatically renewed each year for the campus initially approved. Information is available from the State of Minnesota Office of Higher Education Reciprocity Program, 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN  55108-5227, Phone: 651-642-0567 or toll-free 800-657-3866. 

Midwest Tuition Rate 

The Midwest Tuition Program is available to residents of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and South Dakota. This tuition rate applies to degree-seeking programs, effective fall 2024 for incoming students.  The Midwest Tuition Rate does not apply to flat-rate tuition programs.

Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP)

UW-Eau Claire no longer participates in the Midwest Student Exchange Program. 

Tuition Remission

Wisconsin Statues provide for awarding a limited number of tuition remissions to students who are not residents of Wisconsin and who are not enrolled in a flat rate tuition program.  These awards range in value and can be up to the difference between resident and nonresident tuition.  Students who are not residents of Wisconsin are considered for non-resident tuition remission by submitting the FAFSA.  Students who are employed for a graduate assistantship of at least 13.3-hours per week during the academic term/year may be eligible for a non-resident tuition remission (if not enrolled in a flat-rate tuition program). Minnesota residents must apply for MN/WI tuition reciprocity.

International Student Tuition Remission

International graduate students who are NOT enrolled in a flat-rate tuition program are eligible for a nonresident tuition remission, whereby the University provides a full or partial waiver of the nonresident portion of tuition.  If interested, please notify the Office of Graduate Studies as soon as possible; funds are limited.

Financial Assistance

Consideration for financial aid will be given following admission to a particular graduate program. An applicant who is completing a baccalaureate degree may be awarded graduate aid pending verification of successful completion of the degree. Applicants for financial aid are urged to submit their applications as early as possible. To apply for aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available online at: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Students must be enrolled on at least a half-time basis (four credits during fall or spring semester, three credits during summer session, or a minimum of one thesis credit) to be eligible for financial aid. Graduate students may be awarded one or a combination of different types of financial aid.

Work Study and Student Employment

Applicants applying for Federal Work Study must establish financial need by completing the FAFSA and meeting the job skill requirements established by the employer.  Students may work up to their maximum work study award under the Federal work study program.  Graduate students’ job responsibilities are generally of a more complex nature and thus may be paid at a higher wage rate than undergraduate students. Both on- and off-campus work study positions are available.

Nonfederal Student Employment is open to all enrolled students who meet the job skill requirements.  Students may work up to 20 hours per week as a student employee.

Contact Blugold Central Student Services for specific questions concerning eligibility and restrictions, 715-836-3000.

Loans

Graduate students who want to be considered for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan must complete the FAFSA and be enrolled at least half-time (4 credits during the academic year; 3 credits during summer).  Applicants may borrow up to their Financial Aid budget minus other aid, or a maximum of $20,500 per academic year, whichever is less (Maximum accumulated loan for both undergraduate and graduate degrees is $138,500).

Graduate PLUS loans are available to students who are enrolled at least half-time, have used their yearly unsubsidized loan allocation and are in need of additional funds. To apply for a GRAD PLUS loan, click here- https://www.uwec.edu/tuition-financial-aid/financial-aid/apply-for-aid/.

International Student Aid

International Student Tuition Remission Scholarships

International graduate students who are in good academic standing and NOT enrolled in a flat-rate tuition program are eligible for an international student tuition remission scholarship, whereby the University provides a full or partial waiver of the non-resident portion of tuition.  If interested, please notify the Office of Graduate Studies as soon as possible; funds are limited.