Adult Students/Veterans

People decide to return to school for a variety of different reasons. You may want to complete a bachelor's degree to be more competitive in the job market. Or to take a course or two for the sheer love of learning. Whatever your educational goals, as an adult you have issues larger than "just" academic preparation. Concerns may include balancing school and employment, child care, health insurance, and potential distance education options. The links below contain detailed information on how to choose your best academic path and how to fit it into your other responsibilites.

Getting Started

• Benefits of a College Degree
  Are you ready for a change? Earning your degree can make a dramatic impact on your life.

• Adult Student Guide
  Let us know if you would like your own print version of our guide.

• Two-Year and Four-Year Degree Programs
  The University of Wisconsin Colleges offers an Associate of Arts and Science Degree at all 13 of its campuses and one that is offered completely online through UW Colleges Online.

• Certificate Programs
  A certificate program is designed to show your competence in a certain knowledge or skill area.

• Distance Learning Options
  Distance learning courses and programs can be completed without going to a campus.

• UW System ecampus
  eCampus is your gateway to online education programs offered throughout the University of Wisconsin System.

• Independent Learning
  UW Independent Learning offers more than 125 self-paced, distance undergraduate-level courses.

• Alternately Scheduled Programs
  Alternately scheduled programs help returning adult students by offering more flexible options.

• Smarter Measure
  Smarter Measure is a FREE online, personal assessment tool that can help you decide if online or distance learning is a good fit for you.

• WisCareers
  Visit WisCareers for help writing a résumé or for detailed information on a specific careers.

Admissions

• Admissions
  Everything you need to know about admission guidelines and timelines as an adult student.

• Admissions Office Contacts 
  Admissions personnel at all of our UW System campuses are ready to answer your questions.

• Apply Online
  Using the online application is the quickest way to apply for admission to any of the 26 UW System campuses.

• Continuing Education
  You can also take continuing education programs which offer non-credit courses for personal and professional development.

Focus on Academics

• MajorMania
  Search among more than 4,400 of the UW System's academic programs. Find out which campuses offer the major/s you're interested in.

• Credit by Exam
  Find information on earning credit through CLEP and DANTES tests here. 

• Credit for Prior Learning
  Many of the UW System campuses offer ways for students to earn credits for prior learning.

• Distance Learning
  Learn more about earning a UW degree online or through other forms of distance education.

• Obtaining your GED or HSED
  If you don't have a high school diploma, visit this section to find information on obtaining an equivalency.

• Testing
  Check this section for information about any required test or taking the ACT, SAT, and placement tests.

• Campus Catalogs
  You can view academic programs from all 26 UW campuses with our campus catalogs.

• Schedule of Classes
  Find the courses that are offered each semester at each of our campuses.

Services for Adult Students

• Adult and Returning Student Offices
  Find the student organizations or offices that serve adults at most UW campuses.

• On-Campus Housing for Graduate and Adult Students
  Find out which UW campuses offer university housing for adults and/or graduate students.

• Medical Services
  All full-time students, regardless of age, are eligible for medical services at four-year UW campuses.

• Health Insurance
  Student health insurance plans are available at each of our campuses.

• Child Care
  On-campus child care is available at most of our 13 four-year universities. Ages of children, hours, and fees vary by campus.

Paying for College

• Paying for College
  Applying for financial aid, scholarship information, student budgets, explanations of aid types—it's all here.

• Adult Student Scholarships
  Many UW System campuses offer scholarships specifically for adult students.

• Military Education Benefits
  If you are a Veteran or Active Military, this site defines available education benefits and can put you in touch with the Veterans' coordinator at your campus of interest.

  The UW System and Wisconsin Technical College System have also created the Veterans Wisconsin Education Portal—a resource that can help you understand and access the benefits and programs available at Wisconsin’s public colleges and universities.

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