COVID-19 Financial Services Information
During this unprecedented time, Financial Services continues to be here for you. Our offices remain open, and we have taken proactive steps to minimize health and safety risks by altering working conditions. Customer service remains a priority, and operations are ongoing which includes refunding students in a timely manner. Updates to this page will be completed as more information becomes available.
UW-Whitewater has received money from the federal government to distribute directly to students. The Federal Emergency Relief Grant is now available and applications should be submitted online at your earliest convenience. For questions related to the Federal Emergency Relief Grant, contact the Financial Aid Office at uwwfao@uww.edu.
University Housing has processed credits for Spring 2020. For further housing credit questions, contact University Housing at uhrooms@uww.edu or 262-472-4255. For questions about the housing move out process, contact Terry Tumbarello at tumbaret@uww.edu or 262-472-5300.
The HawkCard office has processed credits for Spring 2020. For further questions or inquiries, contact the HawkCard office at hawkcard@uww.edu.
We are hopeful things will get back to "normal" soon. We did not apply finance charges to students accounts in March and April, 2020. Finance charges resumed in May. If paying your balance is an issue, contact the Student Accounts Office to make a payment arrangement over the summer. Contact us via phone at 262-472-1373 or sfs@uww.edu to discuss your student account.
Please contact Student Accounts via phone at 262-472-1373 or sfs@uww.edu. We will negotiate a payment arrangement for summer and when it would be appropriate to register for classes.
The fastest and easiest way to receive your refund is direct deposit. Please follow the instructions here.
Segregated fees fund activities and programs for students. These services continue to operate, although their operations may look different at this time. Examples include telehealth counseling services from the Ambrose Health Center, virtual programming provided by the University Center, and online fitness programs available through Recreation Sports. Additionally, segregated fees are used to pay student approved facility debt for past renovation or construction. Because of the continuation of services, segregated fees will not be refunded for Spring 2020.
Although many college students were not eligible for the stimulus checks distributed in April 2020, the CARES Act did provide funds to UW-Whitewater for students who endured a financial hardship as a direct result of COVID-19. The Federal Emergency Relief Grant is now available and applications should be submitted online at your earliest convenience. For questions related to the Federal Emergency Relief Grant, contact the Financial Aid Office at uwwfao@uww.edu.
From March 13 until September 30, 0% interest is being assessed to most federal student loans. In addition, if you are in repayment, your student loans have been placed on administrative forbearance (temporary suspension) until September 30, but you can still make a payment if you so choose. For more information on Federal Student Loans and COVID-19, visit Federal Student Aid.
Many families are experiencing reduced income as a result of COVID-19 and wondering if they should update their FAFSA application. According to the Federal Student Aid site, the 2020-21 FAFSA application requests 2018 income tax records. For many, 2018 income does not reflect their current situation. They suggest contacting individual schools for which you are applying to explain and document the change in income. Click here for more information on the FAFSA application.
If you receive a refund from the CARES Act or are still able to earn money, here are some activities you may consider if you have extra funds:
- Continue to pay your bills - Pay your cell phone, rent, utilities, and more each month as normal.
- Reduce your credit card debt - Most student credit cards have a higher interest rate. If you are carrying a balance on your credit card and have extra funds, consider paying down on this debt.
- Pay down student debt - If you incurred student loans during this academic year, the loan most likely was used to pay for your education and living expenses. Consider using any extra monies due to university refunds like housing, meal plans, parking, weight room and more to make a student loan payment and reduce the amount of debt you owe. Visit Federal Student Aid to identify your loan servicer and to manage your loans.
- Savings - An emergency fund savings helps students prepare for unexpected expenses in the future without worrying about being unprepared for unexpected expenses. Consider taking your excess funds and saving a portion (or all) for the future.
The Financial Literacy Center (FLC) is a free financial resource for all UW-W students. The FLC exists to help student address questions and concerns related to their personal money management. Although in person appointments have been suspended, virtual one-on-one coaching sessions are being conducted and can be requested online, by email (finlit@uww.edu), or by phone (262-472-4947).