Apply for financial aid

Step 1

Complete the FAFSA application.

You can apply as early as October 1 of the year prior to the fall you want to attend. We recommend applying before March 15 to receive your award letter before May.

Be sure that you list UW-Eau Claire as one of your college choices. For all UW-Eau Claire campuses, the FAFSA Federal School Code is 003917.

Step 2

You can find out what your financial aid award might be by using our Financial Aid Estimator. 

Step 3

You can check your financial aid status within CampS and provide any additional information requested.  All of your financial aid files must be complete before we can award any financial aid.

NOTE: The federal government will select some students to complete a verification of their financial aid application. If you are selected, you will be contacted by UWEC and we will work closely with you to compile documents needed for verification.

Step 4

You will receive a financial aid award from UWEC. UWEC begins to award financial aid for incoming students who have completed applications in January. You will be sent a notification via email and you will be able to view the financial aid you were offered in CampS.

Step 5

Review your financial aid package and decide to accept or decline any loans that were offered to you. 

NOTE: If you have military or veteran status, there are additional benefits and resources available to you.

When applying for financial aid as a returning student, you'll follow slightly different steps. These are outlined below.

Step 1

In order to apply for financial aid as a returning student, you have two options. If you completed a FAFSA in the previous year, you can choose to simply renew your FAFSA with updated information or complete a new FAFSA.  If you do not have a FAFSA on file from the previous year, you will need to complete a new FAFSA. You can renew or apply as early as October 1st.

Be sure that you list UW-Eau Claire as one of your college choices. For all UW-Eau Claire campuses, the FAFSA Federal School Code is 003917.

Step 2

You can check your financial aid status within CampS and provide any additional information requested.  Your financial aid file must be complete before you can be awarded financial aid.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The federal government will select some students to complete a verification of their financial aid application. If you are selected, you will be contacted by UWEC and we will work closely with you to compile documents needed for verification. 

Step 3

You will receive a financial aid award from UWEC. UWEC starts to award continuing students after spring semester grades have run. You will be sent a notification via email and you will be able to view the financial aid you were offered in CampS.

Step 4

Review your financial aid package and decide to accept or decline your loans.

NOTE: If you have military or veteran status, there are additional benefits and resources available to you.

You may be able to receive financial aid as a graduate student at UWEC. Through the FAFSA, graduate students are typically awarded Unsubsidized Direct Loans and work-study. Follow the steps below to apply for financial aid as a graduate student.

Step 1

Complete the FAFSA application each year
The UWEC school code is: 003917

Summer is a trailer at UW - Eau Claire. This means that if you are starting your program in the summer term, you will need to file a separate application for your summer aid than the application used to award your Fall/Spring aid.  For example, summer 2023 uses the 2022-23 FAFSA. Fall 23, Spring 24 and Summer 24 all use the 2023-24 FAFSA. 

Step 2

You can check your financial aid status within MyBlugold CampS and provide any additional information requested.  Your financial aid file must be complete before you can be awarded financial aid.

** The federal processor will select some students to complete a verification of their financial aid application. If you are selected, you will be contacted by Blugold Central and we will work closely with you to compile documents needed for verification.

Step 3

You will receive a financial aid award letter from UW-Eau Claire.  We begin to award graduate students in June. Students must be enrolled at least half time to be eligible for Federal Direct Loans. During the Fall and Spring terms, halftime is four credits.  During the summer term, half time is three credits. 

Step 4

Review your financial aid package and decide to accept or decline your loans. 

Step 5

Graduate students are eligible to borrow up to $20,500 in Unsubsidized Direct Loans over the course of an academic year (Fall, Spring, Winterim and Summer). If you need additional funds after receiving your financial aid offer, you may be eligible to borrow a Graduate PLUS Loan. You should only apply for a Graduate PLUS Loan after borrowing your full amount of Unsubsidized Direct Loan for the year. 

2022-23 Graduate PLUS Loan Application

Accept/decline your award
Note: If you have military or veteran status, there are additional benefits and resources available to you. Additionally, more information on paying for graduate school can be found on the Graduate Studies webpage.