*Contingent Upon Funding

The Office of Graduate Studies at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh offers the Advanced Opportunity Program (AOP) in support of the UW 2008 Diversity Plan. The Advanced Opportunity Program provides tuition assistance to graduate students of color and non-minority disadvantaged graduate students. AOP is funded by the State of Wisconsin and is intended to allow graduate students of color and non-minority disadvantaged graduate students to focus their attention on their graduate studies and to complete their degree programs in a timely fashion.

Eligibility

At the time of the FAFSA application:

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident

• Traditionally underrepresented persons of color: African American, Southeast Asian, Native American/Alaskan Native, Hispanic American

• Non-minority disadvantage persons

• Full- and part-time graduate degree-seeking students in full standing in UW Oshkosh graduate degree programs. Does not include graduate “special,” non-degree, guest or certificate-only students. Also graduate students seeking a second master’s degree or a post-master’s degree emphasis within a UW Oshkosh graduate degree program are not eligible.

• Student has not exceeded the time to degree limit for applicant’s graduate program.

Additional eligibility criteria

Current UW Oshkosh graduate degree students — satisfactory progress toward degree completion — must meet all of the following conditions on March 15, 2013:

• Admitted in full standing to a UW Oshkosh graduate degree program

• Enrolled in a minimum of 3 graduate degree credits in at least one of the next three semesters — summer 2013, fall 2013 or spring 2014.

• Successfully completed at least five graduate credits in the previous year (current semester and two previous, including summer).  Credits toward eligibility count as of the admission term, only.  No prior credits will be accepted.

OR

Newly admitted UW Oshkosh graduate degree students (prior graduate coursework not included) — must meet all of the following conditions on March 15, 2013:

• Admitted in full standing to a UW Oshkosh graduate degree program

• Enrolled in a minimum of 3 graduate degree credits in at least one of the next three semesters — summer 2013, fall 2013 or spring 2014

• Cumulative graduate GPA of 3.00 or better or admitted overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or better.

Preference

Preference will be given in the following order:

1. Wisconsin resident graduate students of color admitted to UW Oshkosh graduate degree programs

2. Wisconsin resident non-minority disadvantaged graduate students admitted to UW Oshkosh graduate degree programs.

3. Non-resident graduate students who meet the same eligibility requirements as noted above.

Application Process and Deadlines

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the AOP application and must be received by March 15, 2013.

The UW Oshkosh Financial Aid priority file date is March 15, 2013. You may need to provide additional information to the Financial Aid Office if requested. Consideration may be given to applicants after March 15 if they:

1. Have filed a FAFSA by March 15, 2013.

2. Are applying to a UW Oshkosh graduate degree program with a published, specific admissions deadline.

3. Have met all other AOP eligibility requirements.

Awards

Award amounts are variable according to funding eligibility. Graduate students receiving AOP awards will not be precluded from other funding programs.

Awards are competitive and funding is limited; therefore, not all eligible applicants will receive an award.

Applicants will be notified by May 1, 2013, if they are receiving an AOP award. Applicants who are admitted to a UW Oshkosh graduate program at the time of their FAFSA application, but are not notified by May 1, 2013, will not be receive an AOP award.  Please contact Marci Hoffman with questions at hoffmanm@uwosh.edu.

Enrollment Requirements

1. Recipients agree to use these funds only to meet expenses directly related to their graduate student enrollment at UW Oshkosh (tuition, books, living expenses, etc.).

2. The award is paid in two equal installments. Recipients may choose to receive the two installments for the summer, fall or spring academic terms, as long as award eligibility is maintained.