Navigating course registration, tracking financial aid, and checking degree progress at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee runs through PAWS (PeopleSoft Academic Workflow System). It's the central administrative hub where you manage your entire student record from orientation until graduation.
Logging in for the first time or managing complex enrollment swaps can feel confusing without a clear roadmap. This guide cuts through the administrative clutter to show you how to use PAWS efficiently, avoid common registration blocks, and keep your student account running smoothly.
Logging In and Setting Up Your Account
Your access to PAWS relies on your UWM ePantherID and password.
- Go to the official UWM PAWS login portal.
- Click the login button and enter your ePantherID credentials.
- Complete any required multi-factor authentication prompts via Duo Security.
Once inside, you'll land on your Student Center. This dashboard acts as your home base, displaying your current class schedule, financial account summary, holds, and to-do lists in a modular layout. Bookmark the direct login URL and check your account weekly, especially right before enrollment windows open.
Mastering Class Registration and Enrollment Shopping
Registration appointments open based on your earned credits, with seniors and priority groups going first. Waiting until your exact minute arrives to search for classes slows you down.
Use the Shopping Cart feature weeks before your enrollment date.
- Search the UWM Schedule of Classes for open sections.
- Add desired sections to your PAWS shopping cart rather than waiting.
- Check the "Enrollment Requirements" tab on each course to ensure you've met prerequisites or secured consent numbers.
- Run a validation check on your cart items to spot time conflicts or missing prerequisites before enrollment opens.
When your appointment time arrives, you just open your cart, select the validated courses, and click finish. If a class fills up, use the waitlist feature if available, but always have a backup lecture or discussion section ready in your cart.
Managing Financial Aid and Billing
PAWS connects your academic schedule directly to your tuition bill and financial aid packages. You don't need a separate portal to see what you owe or what federal loans have disbursed.
- Viewing Charges: Navigate to the finances section in your Student Center to check itemized term bills, due dates, and payment plan options.
- Accepting Aid: Review grant, scholarship, and loan offers under the financial aid tab. You can accept or reduce loan amounts directly in the system.
- Authorizations: Complete any pending title IV authorizations or direct deposit setup for faster financial aid refunds if your aid exceeds your tuition balance.
Keep an eye on billing deadlines published by the UWM Bursar's Office. Unpaid balances place a financial hold on your account, which blocks future registration and transcript requests.
Resolving Holds, To-Do Lists, and Advisor Notes
If you see a red stop sign icon on your dashboard, your account has a active Hold. Holds prevent registration, grade viewing, or graduation.
Common holds include mandatory advising appointments, immunization documentation missing at the UWM Student Health Center, or parking fines. Clicking on the specific hold reveals the department to contact and the exact steps required for removal.
Similarly, check your To-Do List regularly. Admissions documents, verification forms, and tax documents often sit here waiting for your upload or signature.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clear a registration hold on PAWS?
Click on the specific hold listed in your Student Center to view the originating office. Most academic advising holds require you to schedule an appointment with your assigned advisor through the Navigate app, who will lift the restriction once you've met.
Why is my enrollment shopping cart giving me a prerequisite error?
PAWS checks your completed coursework automatically. If you transferred credits from another institution that haven't fully posted, or if you're currently taking the prerequisite, the system blocks enrollment. Contact your department or advisor for a permission or swap override.
How do I update my mailing address or preferred name?
Navigate to your personal information section inside your Student Center. You can update local addresses, phone numbers, and preferred names directly, though legal name changes require official documentation submitted through the Registrar's Office.
What should I do if I forget my ePanther password?
Go to the UWM password reset utility to reset your credentials securely. Avoid contacting general IT help desk queues unless automated recovery fails.
