You are considered a special student if you have graduated from a recognized high school, or have the educational equivalent and demonstrate ability to succeed in college level work, but are not interested in seeking a degree at UW-Eau Claire. Admission criteria for special students are more flexible than for degree seeking students, and no formal admission is required prior to Special Student Registration. Please see the below information on how to apply as a special student.
(Please note: If you are a high school student or counselor and would like to find out information regarding taking college coursework while in high school, please see the Youth Options or High School Special Enrollment website. Or, if you have earned a bachelor degree and are interested in pursuing a teaching certification, please see the website regarding Post-Baccalaureate Teaching Certification.)
Amount of Credits per term:
Special students are limited to six credits per semester or two courses per semester (if credits exceed six) during fall and spring semesters. During the Summer and Winterim Sessions, all special students may take one credit per week, they are attending.
Financial Aid:
Special students are not eligible for financial aid. They may apply for the Returning Student Grant through Nontraditional Student Services, and are eligible to work on campus as a non-federal work-study student.
Application Process:
1. Apply online at www.apply.wisconsin.edu. Click on Special Student (undergraduate or graduate) after registering as a new user.
2. Submit a $100 tuition deposit. You can submit the tuition deposit either by mail or online:
- Submit the $100 tuition deposit by mailing a check. Checks can be made payable to University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Checks can be mailed to :
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Cashier’s Office
P.O. Box 5000
Eau Claire, WI 54702
- Or, pay the $100 tuition deposit online at www.uwec.edu/payment. It is an Electronic Payment with a direct transfer from a personal checking or savings account.
3. Electronically submit a Payment Plan Agreement. The Payment Plan Agreement form will be available online 2 business days after your tuition deposit has been received.
4. When your application and $100, with Payment Plan Agreement, is received and cleared through the Business Office, the system will automatically generate an appointment time for you to register for classes.
5. For questions regarding submitting the tuition deposit and Payment Plan Agreement, please contact the Business Office (715) 836-5907 or cashier@uwec.edu.
You will be mailed a bill with the remainder of your tuition amount.
If you decide to cancel admission, please email admissions@uwec.edu to notify
of the cancellation and your $100 tuition deposit will be refunded.
Registration:
Because of the demand for some courses and limitations on enrollment, degree-seeking students will be given priority over Special Students. Graduate special students can register as soon as a deposit has cleared the system and an online Payment Plan Agreement has been submitted. Undergraduate special students always register the day before the first day of classes begin for a semester.
PIN (Personal Identification Number): Every student who is enrolled in a credit course is assigned a PIN. Special student PINs will be mailed to you after you have paid your $100 tuition deposit. If you have not received a PIN, please contact LTS (Learning and Technology Department) 715-836-5711.
Permissions: Some courses require permission to enroll from the department or an instructor. If you have any questions as to whether the course you would like to take requires permission, please contact the department offering the course. All departments give out student permissions and overrides.
Advisor: Your assigned advisor will be Bonnie Isaacson. She advises all special students at UW-Eau Claire. Please contact her for further information regarding advising questions: isaacsbj@uwec.edu.
If you are a special student and would like to become a degree seeking student, please contact the Admissions Office admissions@uwec.edu. The Admissions Office can discuss with you how your credits as a special student can apply towards a degree at UW-Eau Claire and how you can submit an application as a degree seeking student.
