The Monthly Memo

Note: All revisions, updates and additions for the 2002-03 academic year have been made to the electronic Policy and Procedure Manual and are now available to you.

Points of Interest:

1. The Board met Friday, February 28th. The following items were approved:
   1. 2003-04 UW WHEG Formula
      ($3,854 - EFC) X 47% = Award ($1,800 Maximum)

   2. 2003-04 WTC WHEG Formula
      Additional discussion was necessary before a final formula could be determined. Once a formula has been finalized, you will be notified.

   3. 2003-04 Tribal WHEG Formula
      ($6,560-EFC) X 27.44% = Award ($1,800 Maximum)

   4. 2003-04 WTG Formula
      UW Tuition - $4,426
      Inflation Factors
      Dependent - 235%
      Single or Married Independent without Children - 628%
      Single or Married Independent with Children - 759%
      Base Maintenance
      Dependent - $6,245
      Single or Married Independent without Children - $6,245
      Single or Married Independent with Children - $10,444
      Maximum Award - $2,500

   5. The following Talent Incentive Program Recommended Rule Change related to Military Leave was approved by the Board and will now need to go forward through the Rule Change Process:
      HEA 5.05 Continued Talent Incentive Grant Eligibility.
      1. To continue to receive a grant after the freshman year, the student shall maintain half-time status per academic term and academic progress towards a degree, diploma or certificate as determined by the institution the student is attending. The minimum award shall be set annually by the board for sophomores, juniors and seniors.
      2. The student shall maintain continuous enrollment from semester to semester, or quarter to quarter, to remain eligible for a grant award for the sophomore, junior and senior years. Exceptions to this requirement shall be made by the executive secretary and will be for illnesses or disabilities which prevent attendance. All such exceptions will be certified by a doctor. No more than 12 months exception from the continuous enrollment requirement will be authorized by the executive secretary. Exceptions will be made by the Executive Secretary for persons affected by their active duty military service.

   6. The following WHEG Statutory Language Change related to Maximum Award was approved by the Board and will need to go forward through the Statutory Language Change Process. (Note: This language is currently in bill form - LRB-1921/2 and, if approved, would be affective for 2003-04.)
      39.435(3) Grants under sub. (1) shall not be less than $250 during any one academic year, unless the Joint Committee on Finance approves an adjustment in the amount of the minimum grant. The board shall establish the maximum amount of a grant awarded under this subsection. The board may not establish a maximum amount that exceeds the maximum amount in the previous academic year unless the board determines, to the best of its ability, that in doing so the board will award grants under this paragraph in the current academic year to at least as many students as the board awarded grants to under this paragraph in the previous academic year. Grants under sub. (1) shall not exceed $1,800 during any one academic year. The board shall, by rule, establish a reporting system to periodically provide student economic data and shall promulgate other rules the board deems necessary to assure uniform administration of the program.

   7. Next Board meeting is scheduled for July 18, 2003.
   [Please follow this link to the February 28, 2003 Board Report.]

2. Due to very tight program spending, please return refunds as soon as possible, particularly for the WTG and WHEG Programs. Please note that W/Z Codes will be applied to the UW WHEG notification lists beginning this week.

3. Governor Doyle released his 2003-05 Biennial Budget Recommendations February 18th. Please see the attachment to this memo. His recommendations include 1) the elimination of the Higher Educational Aids Board; 2) an increase to the UW WHEG Appropriation funded by the revenue provided by UW students; and 3) a 50% reduction in funding for Wisconsin residents who attend the MU School of Dentistry. These recommendations are now being reviewed by the Joint Committee on Finance. The Joint Committee on Finance will hold the following hearings for purposes of gathering feedback from Wisconsin residents on 2003-05 Biennial Budget related issues, including the Governor's recommendations:
   March 24 - Rhinelander 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
   James William Junior High School, 915 Acacia Lane, Rhinelander

   March 25 - Menasha 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

   Menasha High School auditorium, 420 7th Street, Menasha

   March 31 - Milwaukee 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

   Washington High School, 2525 North Sherman Blvd., Milwaukee

   April 3 - River Falls 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

   River Falls High School, 818 Cemetery Rd., River Falls

   April 8 - Platteville 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

   UW - Platteville, Center for the Arts, 1 University Plaza, Platteville

   April 9 - Madison 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

   State Capitol, Room 412 East, Madison

   After review and potential revisions, the Joint Finance Committee will present their budget recommendations to the Senate and Assembly for review and possible changes prior to a final version being presented to the Governor for his review, possible vetoes, and signature. Also find in an attachment to this memo a listing of State Legislators by college or university.

   [Download the Governor's 2003-05 Budget Recommendations for HEAB in Adobe PDF format (80 KB).]
   [Download the List of Colleges and Universities by Legislative District in Adobe PDF format (10 KB).]

4. Attached is a news release that recently was sent to various news outlets throughout the State.

Points Related to Processing:

2002-03

1. 2002-03 notification lists and other associated reports are scheduled to run March 4^th, 11^th, 18^th, and 25^th.

2. 2002-03 award commit and spent for WHEG and WTG are as follows:

   TIP Award Commit	=	129.60%	(last year at this time it was 128.42%)
   TIP Spent	=	82.79%	(last year at this time it was 86.51%)
   UW WHEG Award Commit	=	135.51%	(last year at this time it was 135.12%)
   UW WHEG Spent	=	99.03%	(last year at this time it was 95.83%)
   WTC WHEG Award Commit	=	169.90%	(last year at this time it was 171.31%)
   WTC WHEG Spent	=	97.87%	(last year at this time it was 98.35%)
   WTG Award Commit	=	116.85%	(last year at this time it was 116.85%)
   WTG Spent	=	90.09%	(last year at this time it was 86.69%)

   NOTE:  The "W" code is currently being applied to any new UW and WTC-WHEG applicants.

3. 2002-03 vouchering occurs both Tuesday and Friday nights. Requests will be processed if they are received by 12NOON on either Tuesday or Friday.

4. TIP nomination forms are to be sent to John Whitt.

5. File maintenance is being accepted for the following items only:
   Professional Judgement changes
   Special Tuition
   Selective Service changes
   Special Circumstances
   Deletes
   If you have a situation that you believe is a special circumstance, please contact the program coordinator. ALL other changes must by made by submitting information to the federal processor.

Other Points:

1. The next training sessions will be held:
   March 20, 2003

   The program begins at 10:00 a.m. and ends no later than 3:00 p.m. It is held at the HEAB offices at 131 W. Wilson St, Suite 902, Madison, WI. We have room for up to 6 people at each session.

   If you want to register for a session or need more information, please call Nancy Wilkison at (608) 267-2206 or send email to nancy.wilkison@heab.state.wi.us.

Jane Hojan-Clark, Administrative Manager
Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board