Financial aid

Start navigating your financial aid options here

UW–Madison Online students are eligible to be considered for an array of federal, state and institutional financial aid by submitting the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Visit UW’s financial aid page →

Financial aid is administered by the Office of Student Financial Aid, and they have a variety of resources on their website to help you through the process of applying for and receiving financial aid.

Check UW’s eligibility requirements →

An important factor in your financial aid determinations is the cost of attendance (COA). Cost of attendance is an ESTIMATE of the expenses you might encounter while enrolled in UW–Madison Online programs. The Office of Student Financial Aid bases your aid on this estimate

Your financial aid offer letter will assume you are a full-time student for the year. If you will be taking fewer than 12 credits, complete the Credit Level Evaluation e-form in your Student Center. We’ll adjust your financial aid accordingly and email you a revised aid offer

Your financial aid eligibility may vary depending on if you are applying as a UW–Madison Online student or as a residential (on-campus) transfer student.

Application deadlines

If deadline falls on a weekend, it is extended to the next business day. Admissions decisions for UW–Madison Online are released on a rolling basis.

Fall 2026

Application opens

Sep. 18, 2025

Deadlines

Application (Start 1): Jul. 15, 2026

Application (Start 2): Sep. 15, 2026

Classes start

Start 1: Sep. 2, 2026

Start 2: Oct. 26, 2026

Spring 2027

Application opens

Aug. 1, 2026

Deadlines

Application (Start 1): Dec. 1, 2026

Materials due (Start 1): Dec. 15, 2026

—–

Application (Start 2): Feb. 1, 2027

Materials due(Start 2): Feb. 15, 2027

Classes start

TBA

Summer 2027

Application opens

Aug. 1, 2026

Deadlines

Application: May 1, 2027

Materials due: May 15, 2027

Classes start

TBA

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