Dec 04, 2024  
2014-2015 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2014-2015 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED]

Financial Information



Fee Payment

You are expected to pay all fees according to the procedure outlined in the Student Handbook. Failure to pay fees may result in suspension. UW-Stout offers an opportunity to pay fees in installments. This program requires a down payment plus any past due amount or total payment at registration, whichever is less. The balance is due in additional monthly installments.

All students are required to complete a Fee Payment Agreement. All Wisconsin residents are also required to provide information on their marital status.

The application form is supplied online via Access Stout. Learn how to complete the agreement online at the Student Business Services website. 

Semester Costs

Undergraduate fees are set by the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and are subject to change. These fees incorporate the usual student costs such as textbook rental, Student Center, student activity, technology, United Council, and health fees. However, the schedule does not include lab or material fees charged in some courses. Students in the eStout program pay a per credit rate for tuition. All tuition and fees, room and food rates, and other charges are subject to change without notice. Tuition and fee information is online at the Student Business Services website.

Minnesota Students

If you are a Minnesota resident and a new student at UW-Stout, you must submit a reciprocity application to Minnesota. Approval takes up to four weeks. If approved for reciprocity, you will be charged at the Minnesota resident tuition rate. The State of Minnesota has indicated that “reciprocity benefits will not be granted retroactively” and that “each student is responsible for the application process.” Therefore, each new student must submit a correct application before the last day of the semester. Apply early to avoid complications. Students that have been in attendance at UW-Stout and have earned credits during the previous academic year will automatically have reciprocity renewed by the State of Minnesota. Reciprocity applications are available online at www.mheso.state.mn.us.

Students Auditing Classes

Wisconsin residents may audit classes for 30 percent of the normal per credit academic fee. The cost for non-residents is 50 percent of the normal non-resident fee. Senior citizens age 60 or older by the first day of class only pay textbook and lab fees for audit credits.

Refund on Fees

Withdrawal from semester courses generates refunds based on the following schedule: first and second week of classes, 100 percent third and fourth week, 50 percent. After the fourth week, no refunds will be made. Refunds for room and food service charges are based on the date of withdrawal.

Graduation Fee

Upon completion of 90 credits, student accounts will be charged a one time, non-refundable $100 graduation fee. This fee pays for various costs, including final degree audit, diploma and cover, as well as other costs and accessories associated with the commencement exercises. Candidates will be assessed the fee regardless of commencement ceremony participation. The fee does not cover the cost of the cap and gown, which are available from the University Bookstore.

Unpaid Obligations

Failure to meet financial obligations is a serious matter. Therefore, if you owe money to the university and fail to meet that obligation, UW-Stout may suspend you. A hold will be placed on your account and you will not be allowed to register or receive transcripts until your delinquent accounts are brought up-to-date. This includes such items as library fines, assessments for damages in laboratories and residence halls, as well as tuition and fees. Collection costs will be assessed on any unpaid charges owed to the university.

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid Office provides resources to UW-Stout Students and their families who need assistance in paying for college costs. This assistance is in the form of grants, work programs and/or student loans.

The philosophy for all need-based financial aid programs is that students and their families are primarily responsible for financing their education. Families applying for financial aid need to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a “financial statement” listing their income, assets and liabilities. Established federal and state formulas are used to determine a reasonable contribution form the student and family. State and federal financial aid is intended to meet education costs above that reasonable contribution.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be applied for annually. The FAFSA is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you apply electronically, the student and parents may use a pin to electronically sing the FAFSA. A PIN is easily obtained online at www.pin.ed.gov. The Financial Aid Office recommends the FAFSA online, as it is easy to use and shortens application processing time. A paper version of the FAFSA is also available at high schools, any post-secondary financial aid office or Stout will mail one to the family if requested.

The FAFSA may be submitted on or after January 1 of the academic year of enrollment. UW-Stout’s recommended priority filing date is March 15 for a fall start date to ensure all aid programs are available.

UW-Stout’s Federal School Code Number is 003915. This number is required on the FAFSA if the results are designated for Stout. When the results of the FAFSA are received by Stout, the student and family may be asked for further information or clarification. Once the application process is complete, the student will receive an award letter to accept or decline the aid offered.

Financial aid is awarded based on need, enrollment status and aid program availability. Students must be enrolled in a degree program at UW-Stout and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

All available federal and state financial aid, except earnings from work study, will be credited directly to student accounts at the beginning of each semester. All university charges will be deducted from aid funds prior to any refund to the student, Refunds will be automatically sent to the student’s university identification card account or designated bank. Paper refunds checks may be mailed to students if this method is preferred.

Additional information on available resources including scholarships, alternative loans and other aid is available online.

All financial aid awarded maybe subject to change because of levels of state or federal funding or receipt of aid at prior post-secondary institutions or any new information including receipt of aid resources such as scholarships.

The Financial Aid Office has more complete information about the topics mentioned here on their website.

Withdrawal Fee

You will be charged a fee of $50 for a first-week withdrawal, and $100 for any withdrawal during the second week.

Financial Aid Replacement and Refund Policy

Students on financial aid will not receive refunds until funds representing financial aid awards have been applied back to the respective financial aid programs. Be sure to check with Student Business Services to verify the impact of withdrawing and your responsibility for repayment of financial aid.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Merit-Based Freshman Scholarships

More than $35,000 is awarded annually to outstanding high school seniors through merit based freshman scholarships. All entering freshmen are considered for these scholarships. Selection is based solely on academic merit without regard for financial need. Recipients are notified shortly after acceptance to UW-Stout.

Scholarship: Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship
Award: $2,250
Criteria: Selected by high school

Scholarship: National Merit Finalist
Award: $2,000
Criteria: Automatically awarded to NMSQT Finalist

Scholarship: National Merit Semifinalist
Award: $1,000
Criteria: Automatically awarded to NMSQT Semifinalist

Scholarship: Chancellor’s Academic Honor Scholarship
Award: $1,000
Criteria: Automatically awarded to those with top 5 percent class rank, an ACT score of at least 25, or an SAT score of at least 1140.

Merit-based scholarships are not cumulative. Students who qualify for more than one scholarship will be awarded the scholarship of highest value.

Stout University Foundation Scholarships

The Stout University Foundation awards approximately $600,000 in scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students at UW-Stout. These scholarships are financed by the contributions of alumni, friends, parents, faculty, campus organizations, other UW-Stout staff, foundations and corporations. No single factor will be responsible for an applicant receiving a scholarship. Factors which are considered include academic performance, teacher evaluation and comments, professional activities, extracurricular activities, community involvement, written statements, neatness and care in completing the application, and, in some cases, financial need.

The scholarship application form and deadlines are available online. Completed application forms must be submitted to the Stout University Foundation.

The Scholarship Committee reviews applications and makes awards in the spring. Recipients are notified by May 1. Recipients are required to write a letter of appreciation to the scholarship donors before payment is made for tuition. A formal award ceremony honors scholarship winners, donors, friends and family in September.

For additional information about scholarships, contact the Stout University Foundation, Louis Smith Tainter House, 715/232-1151 or visit the scholarships section of their website.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

By investing a little time and energy, you can conduct your own scholarship search. Scholarships are often provided by community agencies, corporations, clubs, cultural groups, foundations, churches and civic groups. While many are not based on financial need, you will usually have to meet some criteria to qualify for funding, such as academic achievement, community activities, leadership, ethnic or racial heritage, athletic ability, or other guidelines.

High school guidance counselors can supply a list of some of the scholarships available in your region. Reference librarians may also be able to help you identify sources. But there are other possible sources of funding for your education:

  • Find out if your parents’ employers, professional organizations or labor unions offer scholarships.
  • Contact regional civic organizations and ask about scholarships. The Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Lions Club or other groups may have scholarship funds available.
  • Review library resources that list financial aid sources.
  • Contact groups in your community, including churches, veterans, industries and major businesses.
  • Check with your program director or the dean’s office for the school your degree program is housed in for private scholarship information.
  • Contact the national office of your student professional organization for scholarship opportunities.
  • Not all scholarships are for large amounts of money, but any scholarship can help offset the cost of an education.