“They are eligible for the aid, but the funds cannot be dispersed. We are hopeful that the program gets funded and those students are taken care of.” UWM Financial Aid Director Jane Hojan-Clark

With classes set to begin, hundreds of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students are still unsure of when and if they will receive their financial aid for the upcoming year.

As the state budget is still being ironed out, many students who applied for the Wisconsin Higher Education Grant (WHEG) have been put on a waiting list. Until a budget is passed, students will have to continue to wait it out.

Options for students who need their grant money to pay tuition have limited options at this point.

“The options are to work more or take out a loan. However, taking out a loan only increases student debt. Some students may choose to enroll part time,” said UWM Financial Aid Director Jane Hojan-Clark.

An Aug. 26 Wisconsin State Journal story reported that 3,800 students are currently on waiting lists for WHEG grants ranging from $674 to $2,730 per year, with the list continuing to grow with new applicants. Any student who applied for WHEG after June 26 was put on a list.

According to Hojan-Clark, 570 Panther students are still waiting on their grant money.

“They are eligible for the aid, but the funds cannot be dispersed. We are hopeful that the program gets funded and those students are taken care of,” said Hojan-Clark. Financial aid at UWM was dispersed last week through PAWS, with the aid being reflected on tuition accounts. Those awaiting excess cash checks should begin to receive them this week as well.

“Apply as early as you can. If you file everything early, you will get your aid on time and most likely everything will be taken care of,” said Hojan-Clark.

Communication has also been a problem at times, with the aid office receiving hundreds of calls and e-mails in the past concerning aid disbursement and application status. The financial aid office has been sending out more frequent e-mails this year to help ease the process.

“We have been working along with the Student Association to try and communicate with students so that they know the timing and the process involved with getting their financial aid,” said Hojan-Clark.

> Comments