Pharmacy Students
PharmD, PharmTox, and Graduate Student Resources

H. Financial/Benefits

I. School of Pharmacy Contact Information

Please email Meghan Rapp (Business Office) at meghan.raap@wisc.edu or hrsupport@pharmacy.wisc.edu about benefits or payroll related questions.

II. Financial Support

Stipend and Payroll Information

  • A W-4 form (for tax purposes) must be filled out by September 1 by all incoming students. Domestic students may do so online at your My UW Student Center. International students will be contacted by Glacier about completing this form. Please contact hrsupport@pharmacy.wisc.edu if you need assistance finding this form. Please keep in mind that because some appointment types (e.g. fellowships) are considered trainees by the IRS, students who are US citizens, permanent residents, and resident aliens on those appointment types will not have any income tax withheld, while non-resident aliens will. Therefore, if you hold one of those appointment types you may need to pay income tax directly and should consult with a tax advisor if you have any questions. However, other appointment types (e.g. RA or TA) are considered employees by the IRS and will have taxes withheld. Although our business office/HR department aren’t able to provide any specific tax advice, they are happy to answer any questions you may have about if your specific appointment type is considered a trainee or employee by the IRS.
  • Your earning statement can be found online. It is recommended that your payroll check be directly deposited into your checking or savings account.
  • The current gross (pre-tax) compensation level for Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate students is $33,000 for fiscal year 2023 (July 1 2023- June 30 2024) for a 12-month appointment. First-year students will also receive a “welcome” award.
  • The annualized stipend for fiscal year 2025 (July 1 2024- June 30 2025) will be $36,000 for a 12-month appointment.
  • The School of Pharmacy ensures the student’s stipend is covered for the fall and spring semesters of the first academic year. If a first-year student receives a fellowship or training grant appointment with a stipend less than the Pharm Sci compensation level (currently $33,000), the School of Pharmacy will cover the remainder of the stipend.
  • Beginning with the summer of the first year, the student’s Graduate Advisor is responsible for ensuring financial support for the student. For example, the student may be supported via a Research Assistant (RA) appointment, an external or internal fellowship, or be awarded a training grant slot. Alternatively, the Graduate Advisor may request a Teaching Assistant (TA) appointment. Some students are supported by a combination of different types of funding, with the source of the funding transitioning semester-by-semester.
  • In the second year and beyond, if a student receives a fellowship or training grant appointment with a stipend less than the Pharm Sci compensation level (currently $33,000), the advisor will supplement the stipend up to the Pharm Sci level.

Tuition

  • Graduate appointments in our program (TA, RA, fellowship, or training grant appointment) include tuition remission (waiver), thus, students should not receive a tuition bill as tuition is paid by the student’s main funding source.
  • If a student receives a tuition bill, they should contact Meghan Rapp at meghan.raap@wisc.edu or hrsupport@pharmacy.wisc.edu immediately.
  • If we are not contacted about a tuition bill prior to the due date on the eBill (usually the second Friday of the semester) the student will be charged a non-refundable $100.00 late fee from the university. The Pharmaceutical Sciences Program is not responsible for a late fee.

Financial Assistance

Emergency grants and loans are available to students enrolled in School of Pharmacy BS, MS*, PhD or PharmD programs who are experiencing financial hardship.

III. University Fees

  • Each semester, students will need to pay Segregated University Fees (“seg fees”), which are charges in addition to instructional fees assessed to all students for services, programs, and facilities that support the primary mission of the university. However, for students actively supported by a fellowship or training grant, seg fees are usually paid by the fellowship or training grant. Seg fees can vary based on enrollment level.
  • Students will receive a bill for the segregated fee charge or the balance due can be checked on MyUW financial account. Fees are paid online through your MyUW account or see the Bursar’s office webpage for additional payment options.
  • See the Bursar’s Office Tuition and Fees page for the exact amount of segregated fees to be paid each semester and the payment deadline.
  • Each semester, international students must pay an international services fee.
  • New students will be charged a one-time Registrar Office Document Fee during their first semester.
  • Students should remember to enroll for classes on time for each semester to avoid paying late enrollment fees.

    IV. Health Insurance and Other Benefits

    • Our students are eligible to participate in a variety of benefit programs including State Group Health Insurance, which provides the same health benefits as those afforded to faculty.  Single as well as family coverage plans are available. Additional benefits that students may elect to participate in include University Sponsored Dental Insurance, Employee Reimbursement Accounts, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, & Individual and Family Group Term Life Insurance. Details about benefits available can be found at https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/new-employee-benefits-enrollment/benefits-for-employees-not-covered-by-the-wrs/).
    • Students are encouraged to contact Meghan Rapp, Payroll & Benefits Specialist via email (meghan.raap@wisc.edu or hrsupport@pharmacy.wisc.edu) during the summer prior to their first fall semester, for benefit information and instructions.  The start date for benefits is determined by the official start date. Specifically, if the start date is the 1st of the month, benefits will be effective on the start date. If the start date is after the 1st of the month, benefits will not be effective until the 1st of the following month.  Additionally, you have 30 days from the start date to complete benefits applications, or the application may be denied. Outside of the first 30 days, employees are only able to make benefit changes due to a qualifying life event (such as getting married or giving birth), or during the Annual Benefits Enrollment each fall. If you experience a life event during your employment, please contact Meghan Rapp as soon as possible.Students can also utilize services offered by University Health Services (UHS) – information at https://www.uhs.wisc.edu. UHS provides students with many basic health care services at no extra cost, but is not a substitute for health insurance.
    • All International Students and visa dependents are required to have UW–Madison approved health insurance coverage. International students must purchase the UW–Madison Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) for themselves and any visa dependents or have a qualifying waiver. Having a benefits eligible appointment and electing health insurance coverage through the State Group Health Insurance program as described above qualifies our international students for the waiver. Please see the following webpage for details: https://www.uhs.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ship-waiver.pdf

    Pharmsci Handbook