Frequently Asked Questions
You've got questions. We've got answers. Following are questions that prospective students and their parents frequently ask regarding admission and the financial aid process.
ADMISSIONS
Music Majors: Special Admission information
What are your admission requirements?
To be admitted as a new freshman to UW-Whitewater, applicants must complete the required 17 high school course requirements. Then, an applicant should possess one of the following two criteria: rank in the upper 40% of your high school class or possess a Combination Score* of 100 or more.
*Combination Scores are comprised of a student's rank in class added to the national percentile of the ACT Composite or SAT total scores.
How important is my GPA to the admission process?
We do not take the GPA into consideration. With many different scales being used throughout the country, plus the inability to claim that a GPA means the same thing from one school to another, there is no solid measure upon which it can be determined what a "good GPA" might be.
Do you require ACT and/or SAT scores as part of the admission process?
We require a score from one of the two national standardized tests for registration purposes. Students can take either the ACT or the SAT to satisfy this requirement. Presently, the writing component for each exam is not required.
Which test do most students take?
In Wisconsin, most college-bound students choose to take the ACT exam. In fact, about 98% of UW-Whitewater students typically take the ACT exam, compared to only 2% who choose to take the SAT.
How do I apply to UW-Whitewater?
UW-Whitewater accepts the electronic application shared by the entire University of Wisconsin System. For your application to be considered complete and ready for a decision, you'll need to provide the following:
- Official copies of your secondary school transcripts sent directly to UW-Whitewater by your high school
- School Counselor authorization forms (final portion of the online application)
- $35 application fee (can be submitted electronically with the application)
- Official ACT/SAT standardized test scores should be submitted as soon as possible
When should I apply?
You can apply to the College any time after September 15 of your senior year in high school for the following fall semester (nearly a year in advance).
What is the deadline for submitting an application?
UW-Whitewater processes applications on a rolling basis. That means that we accept applications until we determine that our freshman class is "full," but we do not stop accepting applications until that time. However, we recommend submitting your application before December 1.
Do you offer campus tours and interviews for prospective students?
You can schedule a personal tour or attend an on-campus event. Personal tours are offered twice a day (10 a.m. and 2 p.m.) during the school year and once per day (10 a.m. or 2 p.m.) during the summer and holiday seasons. You may also attend one of our many "Friday on Campus Day" events offered throughout the year.
FINANCIAL AID
What kinds of financial assistance are available at UW-Whitewater?
UW-Whitewater provides more than $XX million in grants and scholarships each year. Loans are also available. Approximately XX % of UW-Whitewater students receive some type of need- or merit-based assistance in the form of grants/scholarships, loans, and campus employment.
How will the amount of financial aid I receive be determined?
We'll use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other information you submit to us to determine the amount of need-based aid you will receive. That figure represents the financial gap between what your family can afford and the amount of our tuition and costs. Variables such as home equity, family size, number of students attending college, and ages of pre-college siblings are considered.
How do I apply for financial aid at UW-Whitewater?
The first step is to submit your application for admission. Then visit www.fafsa.ed.gov and use the online method to apply for financial aid. Submit the FAFSA and all other required documents by the priority date of March 15. Applications submitted after this date many be too late for many aid programs.
What are the deadlines for submitting my financial aid application and documents?
Submit the FAFSA and all other required documents by the priority date of March 15. Applications submitted after this date many be too late for many aid programs. Financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
When can I expect to receive a financial aid award decision letter?
Financial aid is awarded based on projected enrollment, tuition, and other expenses. Enrollment is captured on the 10th day of the term; a student's financial aid will be revised accordingly. Students awarded financial aid after the 10th day of the fall term will be awarded based on actual enrollment for the fall term and projected enrollment for the spring term. Actual enrollment will be used for awarding both terms if it is past the 10th day of both terms.
What information will be included in my financial aid award package?
The financial aid package may be a combination of grants, loans, and employment. The actual package is based on state and federal regulations and availability of funds.
DIRECTIONS
Find a map from your zip code.
From Chicago (average travel time 2 hours 10 minutes)
Take I-90 West to Exit 171A (Janesville/Milton exit). Take Hwy 26N to Milton. At stoplight, turn right onto Hwy 59 East to Whitewater. Turn left on Main St , right on Prairie St, and then left on Starin Road. Park in Lot 7 (on the right).
Alternative Routes:
- I-94 West to Hwy 50 W to Lake Geneva. Hwy 12 West to Whitewater.
- Hwy 12 West to Hwy 59E/Business Hwy 12 to Whitewater
- Hwy 14 West to Hwy 89 N; then left onto Main Street
From Madison (average travel time 60 minutes)
I-90 East to Exit 163 (Milton/Edgerton exit). Hwy 59 East, then left onto County "N" to Whitewater. After you cross Hwy 89S/12E, you will turn left at Indian Mound Parkway, then right on Main St. At stoplight in front of McDonald's, turn left onto Tratt St, then right onto Starin Road to parking Lot 7 (on left).
From Milwaukee (average travel time 1 hour 5 minutes)
I-43 South. At East Troy, take Hwy 20 W, then Hwy 12 W to Hwy 59E/Business Hwy 12 to Whitewater. Continue on Main Street. Turn right on Prairie St, then left on Starin Road to Lot 7 (on right). (Alternate route is Hwy 59 W. from Waukesha to Whitewater)