Board Members Present: Ann Neviaser, Debra McKinney, Andrew Blair, Ann Greenheck, Milton McPike, Thomas Shields, Elizabeth Tucker, Katie Kraus representing Ex-Officio Member Dr. Verna Fowler, Vicki Young via phone, Kevin Ingram via phone.

HEAB Staff Present: Connie Hutchison, Sherrie Nelson, John Whitt, Mary Lou Kuzdas, Cassie Weisensel.

Others Present: Paul Nelson, WAICU; Margaret Zitzer, Marquette University; Jacky Thomson, Marquette University; Rolf Wegenke, WAICU; Ian Welsh, United Council of UW Students; Kevin Welch, UW System Administration; Kristofer Frederick, UW System Administration.

Vice Chair Ann Neviaser called the meeting to order at 9 a.m.

PUBLIC HEARING: To consider a proposed order to create Chapter HEA 15 relating to the Nursing Student Loan Program.

Acting Chair Ann Neviaser convened the open hearing.

There were no comments submitted in writing and no oral testimony.

Chair Neviaser closed the hearing. The Board remained in open session.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Moved by Ann Greenheck, seconded by Thomas Sheilds to approve the minutes of the August 29, 2006 Board Meeting.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY:
System Rewrite: The rewrite is progressing on schedule and on budget. Testing of the system will begin the following week. HEAB's goal is to have the rewrite done around December 15th. We will continue testing until we begin processing 2007-08 student information in April.

Other: Secretary Hutchison distributed copies of letters from Representative Frank Lasee and her responding letters regarding the MN-WI Reciprocity Program.

BOARD REPORT #07-08 BIENNIAL BUDGET REPORT
The Higher Educational Aids Board has submitted its prioritized list for critical financial aid programs in the event that the budget picture becomes brighter in the upcoming months. The Board worked hard to pare down the list, leaving only those decision items they felt would be most beneficial to the neediest Wisconsin students. The Board asked for increases for Tuition Grant, WHEG-TECH, WHEG-UW, Minority Undergraduate Grants, Talent Incentive Grant, and WHEG-TRIBAL. The Board also submitted proposals creating two new programs: Affordable College Education Program and Veterans' Tuition Remission Reimbursement Program. The Board also proposed statutory language changes tying the appropriations for the Tuition Grant and the WHEG-WTCS to tuition, and proposed increasing the Academic Excellence Scholarship Grant from $2,250 to $3,000 annually. The AES proposal was requested by Representative Robert Kreibich and submitted with the Board's full support. Another priority item is the restoration of the 0.64 position that was eliminated in the 0507 budget.

BOARD REPORT #07-09 2005-2006 ANNUAL ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM REPORT
Every year HEAB is required to report on the status of the Academic Excellence Scholarship to the Joint Finance Committee by August 1st. It was pointed out that not much changes from year to year. Eighty-nine percent of the freshmen awarded the Academic Excellence Scholarship in 2005 accepted the scholarship and used it to attend a Wisconsin post secondary institution. In 2005-06, 790 freshmen enrolled in a Wisconsin post secondary institution. Total AES funds going to these students were $862,690 with an average award of $1,092.

BOARD REPORT #07-10 2005-2006 ANNUAL MINORITY UNDERGRADUATE RETENTION GRANT PROGRAM REPORT AND SURVEY RESULTS
The 1999-01 Budget Bill required HEAB to begin annual reporting on the effectiveness of the Minority Undergraduate Retention Grant. The last annual report noted that among student recipients surveyed, 88.54 percent indicated that the grant positively affected their decision to return to or stay in school. 81.15 percent of the respondents either have earned a degree or certificate or continue to work towards obtaining a degree/certificate. In addition, over 84.71 percent of the recipients plan on living and working in Wisconsin for their working career. As those numbers are approximately what they were the year before, we continue to believe that this program is very effective.

BOARD REPORT #07-11 STUDENT AID EXPENDITURES FOR 2005-2006
More money was spent than appropriated because in the middle of a biennium budget, you are allowed to carry back funds from 05-06. It was pointed out that students are allowed to receive the Hearing/Visually Handicapped Student Grant at approved out-of-state institutions.

BOARD REPORT #07-12 STATUS OF 2006-07 APPLICANTS AND PROGRAMS
In 2006-07, WHEG-UW has committed 127.65% ($55,330,522) of its appropriation with 28,096 awards. This is 79 more awards and .90% less committed than at this time last year. The final commitment for 2005-06 was 128.55%. WHEG-WTC has committed 155.77% ($25,991,796) of its appropriation with 30,666 awards. This is 77 fewer awards and 2.01% more committed than at this time last year. The final commitment for 2005-06 was 153.76%. WTG has committed 88.45% ($20,125,619) of its appropriation with 7,547 awards. This is 2,450 less awards and 26.41% less committed than at this time last year. The final commitment for 2005-06 was 114.86%. WHEG-TRIBAL has committed 103.80% ($419,369) of its appropriation with 55 fewer awards and 19% more committed than at this time last year. The final commitment for 2005-06 was 122.93%. The number of applicants through September 29, 2006, for the 2006-07 academic year was 220,669. That number last year at this time was 214,947. Applicants in 2005-06 totaled 246,975.

Vice Chair Ann Neviaser adjourned the meeting at 10:30am.