Navigating Your Finances at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: A Comprehensive Guide to the Bursar's Office

Understanding your financial responsibilities as a student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is crucial for a smooth academic journey. The Student Financial Service Center plays a vital role in managing tuition, fees, and payments. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential aspects of UWM's bursar functions, including tuition and fees, payment options, payment plans, refunds, and important policies.

Tuition and Fees: Understanding Your Financial Commitment

Tuition rates and fees at UWM are subject to annual updates. The Student Financial Service Center publishes the most current tuition rates by term. It is essential to stay informed about these costs to plan your finances effectively.

The Online Statement of Account (PAWS)

Your primary tool for managing your UWM student account is the online Statement of Account, accessible through your Panther Access to Web Services (PAWS) account. To view your statement in PDF format, simply click the "View Billing Statement" link. Your online Statement of Account is available “on demand” and contains current account information. This statement provides a real-time snapshot of your financial obligations to the university.

Registration and Financial Commitment

When you register for classes or make changes to your registration using your online Panther Access to Web Services (PAWS) account, you are making a financial commitment to UWM. All students are required to sign a University Terms and Conditions Agreement. This agreement outlines your responsibilities regarding tuition and fees. You must view PAWS to determine the correct amount due and due dates. Failure to pay charges by the due date may result in late fees, finance charges and a hold placed on your account.

University Terms and Conditions Agreement

All students are required to sign the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Educational Services Terms and Conditions Agreement before registering for classes. The agreement is available from the Finances section of your PAWS Student Center (Home Page) and can be signed electronically. If you have signed a paper copy of the agreement previously, you will also need to sign the electronic version before you will be allowed to register for classes. To complete the agreement:

Log into PAWS and click on the Terms and Conditions Agreement link located in the Finances section of your PAWS Student Center (Home Page).
Read the Electronic Signature Consent.
Click Submit. The agreement will display. This is only for you to view. You do not fill information in to the agreement. At this point it is for viewing purposes only. You can allow the agreement to display as you continue. The Online Terms and Conditions Agreement page displays on your PAWS account.

Responsibility for Payment

Failure to view your account does not negate your responsibility to pay by the due date. View PAWS to determine the correct amount due and due dates.

Payment Options: Making Payments to UWM

UWM offers various convenient payment options to accommodate different student preferences.

Online Payments via PAWS

PAWS charges may be paid online through your PAWS account.

Credit/Debit Card: Each PAWS online Credit Card AND Debit card transactions will be assessed a 2.85% non-refundable convenience fee and 4.25% if using an international card.
E-Check: NO FEE! Enter your routing and checking account numbers in your payment profile for online payments and draw payments directly from your checking/savings account and avoid the 2.85% convenience fee (4.25% for international students). Please note: your debit card could be linked to your checking and savings, so save yourself the fee and enter your routing/checking numbers instead! You will be directed to the secure payment site. Follow the Payment steps to complete the Payment via ACH (Electronic Check) or Credit/Debit Card. Once the Payment is Complete, you will be able to save/print a receipt from the Quick Pay site. You will be directed to the secure payment site. Click on Make a Payment. Enter the amount. Click Next - Payment Method.

International Payments via PayMyTuition

UWM has partnered with PayMyTuition to provide a streamlined payment process for international students.

Enter some basic information including your student number.
Follow the instructions provided to send your funds to PayMyTuition via your selected payment method.
Track your payment by logging into your PayMyTuition Dashboard at any time.

Designate Access: Granting Payment Permissions

Students may want to grant another party such as a parent or guardian access to pay their bill online. In order to comply with FERPA requirements, a student would need to grant access to their record within PAWS by creating a Designate Access account. Refer to UWM Knowledgebase Article for instructions on how to create a designate account. A student may have up to three designate accounts. To add another account, click “Create Account” again and follow the same process. It is your responsibility to pass on this information to the account holder. Once access is granted, a Designate may log into the student’s PAWS account and make an online payment.

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Payment by Check

Make your check payable to the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Include the 9-digit Student ID number in the memo area of your check. You may use the envelope you received with your invoice or a gold envelope provided near the depository. Allow sufficient time for your payment to reach us.

In-Person Payments

Please direct in-person payments to: Office of Student Accounts, Mellencamp Hall Room 110, 2442 East Kenwood Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53211. currency and coin. dollars. This includes bank drafts, cashiers, travelers, personal, and business checks. Credit/debit card payments.

Returned Check Fee

A $20.00 returned check fee may be assessed when a check (e-check or paper) is not paid by the bank on which it is drawn for reasons such as non-sufficient funds, refer to maker, missing signature, account closed etc. In addition, three or more failed payment attempts will result in an account hold that will stay in place for a minimum of one year from the last failed payment to prevent future enrollment and refunds. The replacement payment for a returned check should be in the form of a cashiers check, money order, debit or credit card, or cash - not a personal check.

Third-Party Payments

If some or all of your tuition and fees will be paid by a qualified Third Party, the authorization guaranteeing payment of a specified amount of your tuition and fees must be received by the fee due date. Having a Third Party Authorization on file does not remove your responsibility to assure that all tuition and fees are paid. Third party agreements may impact your eligibility for financial aid.

Payment Plans: Spreading Out Your Payments

UWM provides an optional Payment Plan that allows current students/authorized payers to spread payment of anticipated tuition and mandatory fees, room, and board expenses into installments for the Fall and Spring semesters. Past Due payment plans are also now available via the Payment Center on PAWS. Eligibility applies. If there are additional charges or credits to your student account after you set up the payment plan, your account will be rebalanced accordingly at the next scheduled daily rebalance. However, if an unscheduled cancellation or out of pocket payment is made, you are responsible for checking your account to ensure it rebalanced properly.

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Past Due Payment Plans

Yes! Past Due plans are now available for past due and former students. Log in to your PAWS Account, click on Payment Center and enroll in an online self-service payment plan with options up to 36 months (min bal > $400). Eligibility applies.

Can I enroll in classes while on the past due payment plan? No, the past due plan must be paid off in full or at least under $1500.00. If you wish to enroll, please cancel the past due plan, enroll in classes and either pay your balance by the current term due date OR wrap your past due balance under $1500.00 in the current term plan. No, you cannot be on two plans at once and cannot change or extend the past due plan if you want to switch from 12, 24 or 36 to option. In addition, if you wish to change plans, you are responsible for the nonrefundable enrollment fee for changing the plan. Late Payment Fee. Enroll in a Past Due Payment Plan: Log in to your PAWS Account, click on Payment Center and enroll in an online self-service payment plan with options up to 36 months (min bal > $400). Eligibility applies* and auto withdrawal is on the 1st of the month. *This plan is for past due former students ONLY.

Consequences of Non-Payment

Students with a past due balance may be subject to collections processes if the balance is not paid in a timely manner. In addition, multiple failed payments on the payment plan will result in automatic cancellation of the payment plan and activation of collections processes. A hold will be placed on your account that restricts future registration, refunds, and other campus services, and further collection efforts and additional costs to you such as referral to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, outside collection agency, and or legal proceedings. You will also not be able eligible to enroll for a current student payment plan in the next term if your past due balance is $1500.00 or greater. However, you may qualify for Past Due payment plans: Log in to your PAWS Account, click on Payment Center and enroll in an online self-service payment plan with options up to 36 months (min bal > $400).

Dropping Classes and Withdrawing from the University

Students who do not plan on attending classes after registration must drop their courses on PAWS and withdraw from the university. Click here to access additional withdrawal information and the Registrar’s Add/Drop Calendar. Deadlines are based on the session in which a class is scheduled for a term. Many Fall, UWinterIM, and Spring term classes fall under the Regular session but some are scheduled in a variety of partial-term sessions with different deadlines. In the Summer term, classes are almost always scheduled in partial-term sessions.

Financial Aid: Understanding How Aid Affects Your Account

Having a financial aid award package visible on PAWS does not remove your responsibility to assure that the funds are paid to your student account by the fee due date. View PAWS to verify that your remission has waived the appropriate tuition and fees. Some remissions are dependent on a minimum credit requirement before the waiver will pay to a student’s account. If your waiver has not processed, first verify your credit load and add classes, if necessary. Students that have graduate appointments must be at the proper credit limit for the remission to waive tuition and fees. Payroll Deduction is a contractual benefit available to graduate appointments and is limited to Teaching, Project and Research Assistants, and Fellows Fall and Spring only. Submit a Graduate Assistant and Fellowship Certification and Payroll Deduction Authorization form to the Student Financial Service Center no later than 4:00 PM on the relevant tuition due date.

Disbursement of Financial Aid

Awarded financial aid will begin to post to student accounts ten days before the official start of the semester. Financial aid is credited toward your tuition, fees, room and meal plan charges. If you wish to have any excess aid pay other allowable charges on PAWS, you must sign a Student Financial Aid Authorization Form (see Student Account Online Forms). You are responsible for paying any portion of your tuition not covered by your financial aid by the fee due date to avoid late payment fees or finance charges. Students receiving financial aid are subject to the same payment deadlines as other students. Most aid is processed in time, but if you have not submitted your information timely, have not met all qualifications for aid, had to provide more information for verification, or have not accepted or completed follow-up tasks required for the aid, your aid may be delayed. Students should check your WINS account to confirm that aid has processed by the payment due date.

Refunds: Receiving Excess Funds

Refunds are processed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All refunds are completed electronically. Students are encouraged to sign up for e-Refunding to receive their money electronically deposited into the bank account of your choice. To sign up for e-Refunding, follow the e-Refunding instructions [PDF]. Once you have set up your refund/payment profile, your refund check will be deposited in approximately 2-3 business days after it has posted to your student account on WINS. The funds will be available to you as soon as they are deposited. If you do not have a bank account, you can expect your refund to be delayed.

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