Congratulations!
Congrats on taking the first steps towards your education goals. Have you received your approval email from Guild? If not, don’t worry, you should receive an email within seven days of submitting your Guild application.
If you have received your Guild approval email, double congratulations! Here are your next steps for becoming a Guild student at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee:
Steps for All Guild Students who are applying to the UW Flexible Option Program:
1 — Make sure you’re eligible
Check to make sure you're eligible for your company's education benefit, right up to the first day of of your courses. Go to the Guild home page and check your eligibility status in the upper right-hand corner. For more information about eligibility, contact Guild support.
2 — Submit Your Application to the UW Flexible Option Program
Once you have been pre-approved through Guild, you will hear from an Enrollment Adviser (EA) that works with this UW Flexible Option program offered through the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The EA can provide you with information on the program and details around how to apply for admission. When filling out the online application form, be sure to choose the same learning program that you selected on the Guild application, or you may have to pay for the program on your own. Please also be sure to use the same name, email address, and other personal information you used on your Guild application. Using different information may result in delays for your start.
Once your application to the UW Flexible Option (campus of UW-Milwaukee) is submitted, you will receive an email outlining the other application materials you will need to submit for admission consideration and the deadline by which to do so. Your Enrollment Adviser is your contact person while you submit your application materials. Make sure to read the email completely to understand what is required for your application.
3 — Send Your Official Transcripts
You are required to submit official transcripts from each college or university attended. Official high school transcripts are also required from the secondary school attended. All students who completed an HSED or GED program must order transcripts through the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
Official transcripts should be sent electronically to admissions@uwex.wisconsin.edu from each institution you attended. If your institution does not offer electronic submission, they may send transcripts in a sealed envelope directly from the institution to the UW Flexible Option Admissions Office located in Madison, WI. Review the following link for more information on How to Send Transcripts. DO NOT send transcripts to UW-Milwaukee. Send transcripts to the UW Flexible Option Admissions Office.
While electronic transcripts are preferred, if you request paper transcripts sent by mail, use the following mailing address when placing your order:
UW Flexible Option
Admissions Office – Suite 130
780 Regent Street
Madison, WI 53715
Note:
1. It may takes 1-2 weeks for transcripts to arrive if ordered by mail (or longer), so order them as soon as possible.
2. If you had previous education outside of the U.S. (i.e., foreign credentials), an English translation of your non-English transcripts may be required.
3. Contact Admission at admissions@uwex.wisconsin.edu if you have any questions.
All applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores or similar proof of English Proficiency. For additional options on submitting proof of English Proficiency, see UW-Milwaukee’s English Language Proficiency Requirement. Confirm your requirements with an Enrollment Adviser before paying out of pocket for a service and/or exam.
If you need more help with the foreign credentials process, please review this article. You can also message Guild Support or call 1-800-985-4027 (Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. MT).
4 — Complete Your Orientation Process
Make sure to take time to complete the UW Flexible Option orientation (part 1 and 2) to learn more details about your program, expectations, and keys to your academic success!
Orientation Part 1 is a self-paced, online orientation module that must be completed DURING the admissions process. A link to the orientation module will be emailed to you after you have submitted your application for admission.
Orientation Part 2 is a second online orientation module that is sent AFTER you're admitted to a program. Orientation Part 2 must be completed before the first meeting with your Success Coach (see Next Steps in the admissions process for more information).
5 — Schedule a Meeting with your UW Flexible Option Success Coach
Schedule a meeting with your UW Flexible Option Success Coach to get ready for starting your program. Your Success Coach is available to help you select and register for courses, support you in your program, discuss program and course-related questions, and share support resources available to you.
6 — Start Your FAFSA
Gather important documents and complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online. Use the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee code 003896. Follow the detailed instructions provided by the Federal Student Aid office. When you're finished, you will be offered awards which you can accept or decline.
You can also go directly to the Wisconsin-Milwaukee Financial Aid Department to learn more about the FAFSA process at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Per the Employer policy, each student enrolling in a program that is eligible for federal financial aid may be required to complete one or more of the following items before initial program enrollment and annually thereafter: FAFSA, financial aid packaging / awarding process, accept any grant aid awarded. If any grants are accepted they will be applied to tuition and mandatory fees before employer payment. If you have questions regarding your Employer education benefit policy, please consult Guild support. If you have questions about financial aid, please contact your learning provider's financial aid office.
7 — Establish Attendance in your Courses
Make sure you establish attendance in your courses within the first eight days of the subscription period. Failure to do so may result in you being automatically dropped from the program.
If you withdraw from the program between the first day and 11:59PM CST on the eighth day of the subscription period, you are assessed a $50 withdrawal fee. Those who are administratively withdrawn from the program, for any reason, are also charged the $50 withdrawal fee. Click here to find the withdrawal policy.
8 — Connect with your UW Flexible Option and Guild Growth Coaches for Ongoing Support
Once you've passed your add/drop period, you will continue to work with your UW Flexible Option Success Coach for ongoing program support. You will also receive communications from a Guild Growth and Career Coach who are available to provide additional goal setting and career exploration services.
8 — Earn Your Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Your Guild support network, along with your UW Flexible Option support team, will be there to offer guidance and support throughout your program. Don't hesitate to reach out to Guild Support for help or your UW FLexible Option Success Coaching Team (asc@uwex.wisconsin.edu) with any questions you may have!