New or Transfer Students
Welcome to UW–Madison!
Prepare for SOAR as a New Student
Be sure you reserve your SOAR session and plan your trip accordingly. SOAR sessions last 2 days. You will need to plan your travel and accommodations ahead of time.
If you have not already, apply for your educational benefits. Depending on the benefit, the process can take 45-60 days. Several types of education benefits can be used at UW-Madison. You can find information about what benefits we certify for current service members, veterans, and dependents here: Education Benefits.
Not sure what benefits you may be eligible for? Taking our Benefit Eligibility Survey is a good place to start!
Already applied and received your eligibility determination? Depending on the benefit you received eligibility for, you may need to submit documentation specific to the benefit to the University Veteran Services office. For example, if you receive eligibility for the Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) you must email your Certificate of Eligibility to veterans@wisc.edu. However, if you receive eligibility for the WI GI Bill® you must email the WDVA 2029 form to the University Veteran Services office. To find more information about what documentation you must submit to the University Veteran Services office, view your specific benefit(s) page(s) here: Education Benefits. On each individual benefits page, you will find a box at the bottom of the page called “Applying.” You will find the information on the documentation you need to submit within this box.
On the first day of SOAR, you will meet with a University Veteran Services staff member. During this advising meeting, we will provide you with more information about what benefits are available, the rules necessary for using benefits at UW-Madison, and how to select your benefits each semester. This advising meeting will be held in the morning, after placement testing. SOAR staff will direct you to the meeting location after you check in.
You will also receive an email two weeks before your SOAR date with the exact timing and location of this benefits advising meeting. Within that email, you will receive an invitation to a Canvas course that we encourage students to complete before coming to SOAR. This Canvas course will provide foundational knowledge on the topics that will be discussed during the benefits advising meeting.
*For new students attending Virtual SOAR, please see the Virtual SOAR information in the Transfer Student section below for information about how to meet with UVS during SOAR.
Still have questions or concerns you’d like to discuss? Contact us to schedule a meeting with a member of our team who serves as a School Certifying Official (SCO).
University Veteran Services will host a welcome event for all new and transfer students at the beginning of the fall semester. You will receive an email when the date gets closer informing you what the event will be, where it will be held, and what time. We look forward to meeting you once more at this event!
Prepare for SOAR as a Transfer Student
In-person Transfer SOAR
Be sure you reserve your SOAR session and plan your trip accordingly. Transfer SOAR sessions last 1 day, however, depending on how far away you are coming from you may need to plan a stay in Madison.
If you have not already, apply for your educational benefits. Depending on the benefit, the process can take 45-60 days. Several types of education benefits can be used at UW-Madison. You can find information about what benefits we certify for current service members, veterans, and dependents here: Education Benefits.
Not sure what benefits you may be eligible for? Taking our Benefit Eligibility Survey is a good place to start!
Already applied and received your eligibility determination? Depending on the benefit you received eligibility for, you may need to submit documentation specific to the benefit to the University Veteran Services office. For example, if you receive eligibility for the Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) you must email your Certificate of Eligibility to veterans@wisc.edu. However, if you receive eligibility for the WI GI Bill® you must email the WDVA 2029 form to the University Veteran Services office. To find more information about what documentation you must submit to the University Veteran Services office, view your specific benefit(s) page(s) here: Education Benefits. On each individual benefits page, you will find a box at the bottom of the page called “Applying.” You will find the information on the documentation you need to submit within this box.
During SOAR you will meet with a member of our team who serves as a School Certifying Official (SCO). You will receive more information closer to your SOAR session about where and when you will meet with UVS staff to ensure a smooth transition of benefit use when you start at UW-Madison.
We understand that you may already have experience using educational benefits at your previous school, however, our rules and processes may be different than your previous school. Be sure to either bring or email ahead of time the necessary documentation for your benefits. To find more information about what documentation you must submit to the University Veteran Services office, view your specific benefit(s) page(s) here: Education Benefits. On each individual benefits page, you will find a box at the bottom of the page called “Applying.” You will find the information on what you need to submit within this box.
If you have additional questions or concerns please schedule an appointment with one of our team members. Contact us to set up an appointment.
Transfer credit should be evaluated and awarded by your SOAR date. You can find information about the transfer credit process, timeline, re-evaluation request, and more here: Transfer Your Credit to UW-Madison.
Be aware that the majority of military credit will transfer as general electives and may not reduce your time to a degree. A large number of general electives could negatively impact your financial aid eligibility and your admission to competitive programs with credit limits.
University Veteran Services will host a welcome event for all new and transfer students at the beginning of the fall semester. You will receive an email when the date gets closer informing you what the event will be, where it will be held, and what time. We look forward to meeting you once more at this event!
Virtual Transfer SOAR
Be sure you reserve your virtual SOAR session. Virtual SOAR attendees must complete an online Canvas course that will be provided for you as you get closer to your session date.
If you have not already, apply for your educational benefits. Depending on the benefit, the process can take 45-60 days. Several types of education benefits can be used at UW-Madison. You can find information about what benefits we certify for current service members, veterans, and dependents here: Education Benefits.
Not sure what benefits you may be eligible for? Taking our Benefit Eligibility Survey is a good place to start!
Already applied and received your eligibility determination? Depending on the benefit you received eligibility for, you may need to submit documentation specific to the benefit to the University Veteran Services office. For example, if you receive eligibility for the Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) you must email your Certificate of Eligibility to veterans@wisc.edu. However, if you receive eligibility for the WI GI Bill® you must email the WDVA 2029 form to the University Veteran Services office. To find more information about what documentation you must submit to the University Veteran Services office, view your specific benefit(s) page(s) here: Education Benefits. On each individual benefits page, you will find a box at the bottom of the page called “Applying.” You will find the information on the documentation you need to submit within this box.
Contact the University Veteran Services office to schedule an appointment with a member of our team who serves as a School Certifying Official. You can schedule this appointment either before or during the week of your SOAR session.
We understand that you may already have experience using educational benefits at your previous school, however, our rules and processes may be different than your previous school. Be sure to submit the necessary documentation for your benefits as soon as possible. To find more information about what documentation you must submit to the University Veteran Services office, view your specific benefit(s) page(s) here: Education Benefits. On each individual benefits page, you will find a box at the bottom of the page called “Applying.” You will find the information on what you need to submit within this box.
Transfer credit should be evaluated and awarded by your SOAR date. You can find information about the transfer credit process, timeline, re-evaluation request, and more here: Transfer Your Credit to UW-Madison.
Be aware that the majority of military credit will transfer as general electives and may not reduce your time to a degree. A large number of general electives could negatively impact your financial aid eligibility and your admission to competitive programs with credit limits.
University Veteran Services will host a welcome event for all new and transfer students at the beginning of the fall semester. You will receive an email when the date gets closer informing you what the event will be, where it will be held, and what time. We look forward to meeting you once more at this event!
Appy for Financial Aid
It’s highly recommended to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) because it’s possible to receive aid that won’t need to be paid back. The free money, grants and scholarships, within your financial aid offer are automatically accepted on your behalf. Any offered loans can be declined if you won’t need them.
Applying for federal education benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) won’t affect any financial aid you apply for. It may have an effect if you apply for the Wisconsin GI Bill or the Wisconsin National Guard Grant.
Contact
University Veterans Services
716 Langdon Street
301 (3rd floor)
Madison, WI 53706
Monday – Friday
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Appointments & Drop-in Services
Drop-in Days and hours:
Monday: 10 am – 3 pm
Wednesday: 10 am – 3 pm
Thursday: 10 am – 3 pm
Please visit our Contact page to schedule an appointment with a member of our staff.