The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh has launched a privately funded campaign to cover the application fee for undergraduate students applying for fall 2021 admission.
This initiative, partnering with the UW Oshkosh Foundation, aims to reduce financial barriers for students applying to any of UWO’s three campuses. The funds are available for undergraduate applicants who apply before Oct. 31, 2020 or until the donated funds run out. Aggie Hanni, UWO’s assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management, said that covering the cost of application fees is part of on-going efforts to increase access for all students. “We continuously evaluate our institutional processes to reduce barriers,” Hanni said. “Private funding from the UWO Foundation will help students who may otherwise not consider applying.”
Students who meet specific requirements will continue to qualify for application fee waivers throughout the year and that process is much more simplified this year, but Hanni said this initiative aims to address the challenge more proactively for all students. “During this collective time of uncertainty, we know students and their families may face short-term financial needs, and it is our hope that by offering to cover the cost of the application we can have a direct role in
decreasing the challenge of pursuing higher education,” Hanni said. The privately raised funds are available for students who apply before Oct. 31, 2020 and will cover the $25 undergraduate application fee. Hanni said students are encouraged to apply early, as funds for the campaign will likely run out before the October deadline. “While we are excited to offer this incentive for early applicants, there is a limit to the number of applications that we can cover based on the funds we were able to raise for this goal,” Hanni said.
Applying to UW Oshkosh before the end of October allows for other significant benefits, including early access
to apply for scholarships. “We want to make sure that students’ economic situations do not prevent them from applying or attending UWO,” Hanni said. “We want to start the conversation as early as possible so we can be sure to
provide as much assistance as we can for each student.”
