Our Badger diversity occurs in many ways. The unique student veteran experience adds depth and perspective to our classrooms and to our larger campus identity. We enjoy the personal freedoms we exercise every day because they stood up to fight for them.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori Reesor
Active Duty Checklist
Review this checklist to understand the steps you need to take when leaving and returning to UW-Madison. This document is for your use, it doesn't need to be turned in.
UW-Madison Active Duty Policy
The policy from the Office of the Provost applies to all enrolled UW-Madison students who are called to or already on active U.S. military service.
Called to Active Duty
Use the checklist above to understand all the steps you need to take before you leave UW-Madison.
If you are a newly admitted student who needs to defer your enrollment due to initial entry training, please work with our Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
What if I don’t have my orders?
We can also take an official memorandum signed by your unit commander with the tentative dates you’ll be gone.
I received multiple orders, do I need to submit them all?
You only need to submit updated orders if you will be gone longer than you originally expected.
Who all should I notify on campus of my upcoming period of active duty?
In order to make sure you have a smooth transition, you should notify our office, your advisor, your professors (if you need to withdraw), offices you receive assistance from (think Financial Aid, McBurney Disability Resource Center, etc.), and your employer. We also recommend reaching out to those you interact with on a regular basis, such as student organizations, mentors, or friends. You may not need to let these people/organizations know, but they would most likely notice your absence and want to show support.
What will I have access to while I’m gone?
You’ll still be able to log into MyUW and continue to use your wiscmail.
Returning From Active Duty
Reentry
Do not fill out a reentry application. Before you leave, we’ll make a note of your anticipated return. We’ll automatically request an enrollment appointment for the semester you indicated unless you let us know otherwise. This way, you’ll have the option to enroll at the same time as everyone else in your program/year. If your return plan changes, just send us an email. You can wait up to two semesters after you return from active duty to begin classes again.
Education Benefits
You’ll want to apply for new education benefits early. Our Benefit Information page describes the different types of education benefits and the application process for each. If you’re not sure which benefits to apply for, you may find our eligibility survey helpful. Don’t forget to select your benefits!
Financial Aid
Your eligibility for traditional financial aid may have changed, so we strongly recommend filling out a FAFSA. Questions about traditional forms of financial aid and the FAFSA can be directed to the Office of Student Financial Aid. If you haven’t done so previously, we also recommend signing up for eRefund through the Bursar’s Office.
Military Credit
If you completed training during your time away, you can submit your necessary transcripts to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment (OAR). Keep in mind a majority of military credit will transfer as general electives. For more information, please reference the OAR page for veterans and active military.
Residency for Tuition
If you were considered a non-resident for tuition purposes before you left, keep an eye out for communications from residency counselors in the Office of the Registrar. Questions about residency for tuition purposes can be directed to residencefortuition@registrar.wisc.edu.