Campus Connection

UW-L students can search and apply for scholarships using a new online system

Incoming and continuing UW-L students are invited to take advantage of a new online system to apply for scholarships. Students can search and apply for any of the more than 300 scholarships available through the UW-L Foundation. For the last 30 years, the UW-L Foundation has accepted only paper applications. The new online system was created to make the process easier and, hopefully, encourage more applicants, says Sara Olson, UW-L Foundation scholarship coordinator. Features of the online system include a keyword search to narrow the results for applicable scholarships, an option to automatically email specific campus faculty and staff members to request a reference, and one base application used to apply for multiple scholarships. Students are often surprised to learn of the variety of scholarships available, says Olson. Not all scholarships are based on academic achievement. For instance, scholarships are available for students in the Screaming Eagles Marching Band, the jazz band and the School of Education. Other scholarships are geared toward non-traditional students, single parents, students with a relative who worked at the G. Heileman Brewing Co., or a student whose parent or grandparent is a UW-L alum. There is even a scholarship for someone who lives in a county serviced by Xcel Energy, which includes any student who lives on the UW-L campus or in La Crosse County. During the 2011-12 school year the UW-L Foundation awarded 400 scholarships totaling more than $600,000. Scholarships range from $200 to more than $1,000. Feb. 15 is the deadline for all scholarship applications. Olson encourages students to apply early. “You have the semester break to research and work on the application,” advises Olson. “Don’t wait until the last minute.” Students can log in to the system at uwlax.academicworks.com using their email password (8.4).