Special Committee to Review Financial Aid Programs

MADISON, Wis. (WTAQ) - The Wisconsin Legislature will take a look at the state’s financial aid programs for colleges and universities, and recommend possible changes.

A special committee has been formed, chaired by Assembly Republican Joan Ballweg of Markesan. She says the panel wants to make sure that financial aid money is being used effectively, with goals of improving student access to colleges and keeping more graduates in the Badger State.

Ballweg says they’ll take a close look at Governor Jim Doyle’s Wisconsin Covenant which guarantees eighth-graders a place at a Wisconsin college if they get good grades and behave during their high school years.

The panel will also look at the tuition reciprocity agreement between Wisconsin and Minnesota grants and loans which are based on need and programs that forgive student loans.