How to Apply for Financial Aid
To apply for grants, scholarships, loans and work-study, you'll need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All information submitted is confidential, and must be filed for each academic year.
Priority filing deadline: please submit by March 15 prior to your first semester.
New Students
Follow these simple steps to apply for financial aid.
Step 1
Complete the FAFSA application.
The application typically is available as early as October 1. The current aid year application as well as the 2024-2025 Academic year is now available. We recommend applying before March 15.
Be sure that you list UW-Stout as one of your college choices. For the UW-Stout, the FAFSA Federal School Code is 003915.
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 Access Stout 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 UW-Stout and we will work closely with you to compile documents needed for verification.
Step 4
You will receive a financial aid award from UW-Stout. UW-Stout 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 Access Stout.
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.
Returning & Transfer Students
When applying for financial aid as a returning or transfer student, you'll follow slightly different steps. These are outlined below.
Step 1
In order to apply for financial aid as a returning or transfer 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 December.
Be sure that you list UW-Stout as one of your college choices. For the UW-Stout, the FAFSA Federal School Code is 003915.
Step 2
You can check your financial aid status within Access Stout 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 UW-Stout and we will work closely with you to compile documents needed for verification.
Step 3
You will receive a financial aid award from UW-Stout. UW-Stout 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 Access Stout.
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.
Graduate Students
You may be able to receive financial aid as a graduate student at UW-Stout. 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
For the UW-Stout, the FAFSA Federal School Code is 003915.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Summer and Winterm semester courses at UW-Stout require you to file a separate application for financial aid. For example, Summer 2024 uses the 2023-24 FAFSA. Fall 23, Spring 24 and Summer 24 all use the 2023-24 FAFSA.
Step 2
You can check your financial aid status within Access Stout 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 UW-Stout 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-Stout. We begin to award graduate students in June. Students must be enrolled at least half time to be eligible for Federal Direct Loans.
- Half time for graduate students is 5-6 credits for all academic terms.
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, Winterm 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.
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. Additionally, more information on paying for graduate school can be found on the Graduate Studies webpage.
Summer & Winterm Sessions
Summer Financial Aid
Summer session is considered an "add-on" session to the current academic year. Financial aid for summer is limited and depends on the availability of funds and the amount of aid already used in the prior academic year.
Application Process
- Open Date: Online Summer Aid Application opens in March 6 after Summer Registration Opens.
- Submission: Apply after registering for Summer 2024. If studying abroad, submit ASAP.
Apply here
Key Points to Consider
- Aid depends on your usage in the regular academic year and fund availability.
- Notifications sent to your UW-Stout email.
- Ineligible if graduating in May or dismissed after Spring.
- Maintain academic standards for aid eligibility.
Important Deadlines & Info
- 3-week minimum processing time.
- Aid disbursed no earlier than June 18, 2024.
Action Needed
- Update us if your credit load changes.
- Aid may be canceled if you drop/cancel Summer classes.
Winter Financial Aid
The amount of Winterm aid depends on the amount of financial aid eligibility remaining for the academic year. Winterm applicants need to have completed a 2024-25 FAFSA and submitted the additional Winterm Financial Aid Application (application opens in October).
Application Process
- Open Date: Online Winterm Aid Application opens in October.
- Submission: Apply after registering for WinTerm.
- Special Cases: For study abroad, submit the Study Abroad Notification form.
Key Points to Consider
- Aid amount depends on usage in Fall and Spring semesters.
- Notifications via UW-Stout email.
- Ineligible if graduating in December or dismissed after Fall.
- Maintain academic standards for aid eligibility.
Additional Guidelines
- Winterm aid may be canceled if classes are dropped/canceled.
- Contact us for credit load changes.
- Aid disburses to Fall semester; manually apply to Winterm bill.
