Promise FAQ
Questions about … the program
Promise Program students are guaranteed an additional promise grant grant if their financial aid package (state and federal grants and work study) does not cover the cost of tuition and segregated fees.
Students who qualify for the Parkside Promise Plus will participate in our SSS Project Success program and will have access to one-on-one coaching and support from other successful UW-Parkside students.
To be considered for the Parkside Promise Plus program, new first-year students need to ..
- Be a new first-year student admitted to UW-Parkside by June 1
- Submit the FAFSA by June 1st
- Have an estimated student aid index (SAI) between -1500 and 2000.
- Be a Wisconsin resident for tuition purposes
- Have a high school cumulative GPA of 2.20 or above at time of admission to Parkside
- Sign the Promise Pledge
- Enroll as a full-time student the fall following high school graduation
Each fall, we start a new cohort of Promise students. Recruitment for the Promise programs begin in early fall. To be considered, you must be admitted to UWP and complete your FAFSA.
To be considered for a Promise program, all you need to do is complete the admissions process and submit your FAFSA to UW-Parkside (00515).
Questions about … costs
If your tuition and segregation fees are not covered by federal and state grants, you will be awarded a Promise grant to cover the difference.
The Promise program does not cover the costs of winterim. Other financing options may be available.
Students may be eligible for additional support to cover summer courses if needed to meet credit requirements.
The program is limited to tuition and segregated fees for full-time enrollment for four consecutive years (excludes summer and winterim).
For the upcoming year, the UW Parkside is waiving application fees.
Housing or dining fees are not covered by the Promise. Although these costs are not included as part of the program, you may be offered additional aid in the form of grants and loans to assist with these costs
No, the promise program does not cover the cost of books. Although these costs are not included as part of the program, you may be offered additional aid in the form of grants and loans to assist with these costs.
No, however, other financing options may be available.
Questions about … eligibility
Unfortunately, you are not eligible for the Promise program. However, you may be eligible for one of our Out-of-State Scholarship programs.
To qualify for the program, you must be a resident of Wisconsin for tuition purposes.
Students attending less than full time may still qualify for federal and state aid; however, they will not qualify for any additional funding through the Parkside Promise Plus program if tuition and fees are not covered by federal and state programs.
While your eligibility can not be guaranteed until you actually are able to enroll at Parkside, fill out the Interest Form, and we will keep in touch with you.
If you graduated high school prior to 2024 and are just enrolling in college, you are not eligible for the Parkside Promise Plus.
Visit the Financial Aid website to explore other options for financing your education.
Questions about … FAFSA, EFC, and verification
Yes. The program requires students to apply for and use federal and state grants. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be a citizen, national or permanent resident of the United States students. (NOTE: Students who do not fall into one of these categories cannot receive financial aid.)
Promise Program support is calculated after the federal and state grants are applied, but before loans and work-study and non-tuition scholarships.
The Student Aid Index (SAI) is a measure of your family’s financial strength and is calculated according to a formula established by law. The information you report on your FAFSA is used to calculate your SAI. We use the SAI to determine your federal student aid eligibility and financial aid award.
Note: Your SAI is not the amount of money your family will have to pay for college nor is it the amount of federal student aid you will receive.
If your scholarship must be used for tuition, it will be applied prior to any Promise grant. If it can be used for something other than tuition and fees, it will be applied after any Promise fund.
We need to review documentation that you provide to the Financial Aid Office to confirm information your provided on your FAFSA. This is typically tax information, and a form that you can download from our website.
For the Parkside Promise Plus program, you must turn in your documentation to the Financial Aid office by the July 15th.
Questions about … renewal
For the Parkside Promise Plus program, you need to:
- Reapply for Financial Aid each year by March 1 and remain eligible for the Federal Pell Grant
- Attend full-time for fall and spring semester for four consecutive years
- Complete 30 credits each academic year and maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress
Promise programs are for four years of consecutive full-time enrollment. Additional funding is not guaranteed, however, we will review your aid package for any additional funding options.
In addition to maintaining a 2.5 cumulative GPA and eligibility for a federal Pell grant, Parkside Promise Plus students must also have complete the activities outlined in their Parkside Promise Plus pledge.
When you complete the FAFSA by March 1, you will receive a confirmation page, which indicates if you qualify for the Federal Pell grant.
To remain in the Parkside Promise Plus program, you must remain Pell eligible. If you do not maintain Pell eligibility, our team of Financial Aid Counselors will be happy to discuss options to keep school affordable.
Do you have a different question?
Let us know at promise@uwp.edu or 262-595-2355