Recognition, Retirements, Appointments, Elections
Retiring Board Member and Board Chair Steve Van Ess was recognized by the Board, the HEAB staff, and Executive Secretary Connie Hutchison, for providing outstanding service, a deep knowledge of financial aid issues, and a witty sense of humor during his tenure on the Board. Steve, who has served on the Board since 1997, and has served as Chair for the past several years, will retire from UW-Madison at the end of August. Steve - you will be missed, but not forgotten. THANKS!

Steve Van Ess noted, thanked and congratulated the following Board members:

Reappointed by Governor Doyle:
Ann Neviaser, Independent Colleges and Universities
Kahlaf Kahlaf, Independent Colleges and Universities Student Representative

Newly Appointed by Governor Doyle:
Thomas Shields, University of Wisconsin Student Representative
Liz Tucker, University of Wisconsin Financial Aid Director (Term begins September 1, 2005)

Finishing Terms as Members of the Board:
Steve Van Ess, University of Wisconsin Financial Aid Director
Luke Naegle, University of Wisconsin Student Representative
Colleen Bunner, Wisconsin Technical College System Student Representative
Gregory Gracz, University of Wisconsin Board of Regents Representative

The following members were elected officers for 2005-2006:

HEAB Chair: HEAB Vice Chair: HEAB Secretary:

Mary Jo Greene Ann Neviaser Debra McKinney

The Board thanked Alice Winters, recently retired HEAB staff member, for her years of dedicated service to the Higher Educational Aids Board.

HIGHER EDUCATIONAL AIDS BOARD APPROVES NEW TG FORMULA
Because of the additional, and much appreciated, monies appropriated for Tuition Grant, the 05-06 Formula for Tuition Grant was adjusted at the July 29, 2005 Board meeting. The recommendation from Dr. Wegenke, Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities was accepted by the Board. The following adjustments were approved: TG Maximum - $2,850; Base Maintenance $10,444 for all Dependents and Independents; Inflation Factors - 264% for Dependents, 607% for Independents. (Please see the board report: http://www.heab.wi.gov/rep0605.pdf, for the complete recommendation.)

Please contact Mary Lou if you have any questions. Congratulations to WAICU for their hard work to obtain these extra funds.

To postpone "W" and "Z" codes please remove students not enrolled at your college or university.

Please verify formula components and factors with Mary Lou before repackaging any students.

Wisconsin Higher Education Grant - UW
The Governor was able to restore $8 million to UW-WHEG, and the UW Advisory Group determined that we would keep the current formula, capping awards at the $2,500 statutory maximum. The Board was updated, but no action was necessary.

We have been asked how single semester awards will be calculated. Our system will calculate a full award, up to $2500. However, for students who are beginning their 10th, and final, semester of aid, our system calculates a full award, caps it at $2500, and cuts it in half. Students with one semester of calculated aid will be limited to $1250.

I know there will be additional questions. Please feel free to contact either Sandy or me if you have concerns or questions!

Wisconsin Higher Education Grant - Technical Colleges
WHEG - Tech realized a small and much appreciated increase in their appropriation. While this did not result in a formula change, we anticipate that it will buy a couple of extra weeks before W and Z codes must be implemented.

Return of Funds Policy Clarified
The Board approved a revised Return of Funds Policy that clarifies the process and intent of state refunds and returned funds. The revisions can be seen in the Board reports, http://www.heab.wi.gov/rep0604.pdf. The July 29 proposal was adopted by the Board. This revision was constructed in collaboration with the WASFAA State Issues Committee.

Board Authorizes Ex-Officio Board Position for Tribal Colleges
The Board approved an Ex-Officio, non-voting Board Position for the Tribal College Sector. For the full recommendation, please see Board report: http://www.heab.wi.gov/rep0603.pdf.

[Please follow this link to the July, 2005 Board Report.]

Scheduled HEAB Board Meetings: October 14, 2005; February 10, 2006; April 21, 2006; July 21, 2006

Next HEAB Training Dates: September 15, 2005

Please let us know if you are coming to training as materials are printed based on the number of people attending. To register for a session or for more information, please contact John Whitt at (608) 266-1665 or email him at john.whitt@heab.state.wi.us.

HEAB conducts one-day training programs for new and continuing financial aid administrators. The training session covers all aspects of the programs administered by HEAB, including:

Goals of State Aid
Eligibility for State Aid
The Notification List
The Voucher Process
Return of State Funds
Submitting and Receiving Data to/from HEAB
Overviews of the Individual HEAB Programs

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.

Questions or concerns? I truly appreciate your feedback. Please contact me by phone at (608) 264-6181 or by email at connie.hutchison@heab.state.wi.us.