39.435 Wisconsin grants and talent incentive grants.

(1) There is established, to be administered by the board, a grant program for postsecondary resident students enrolled at least half-time and registered as freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors in accredited institutions of higher education or in tribally controlled colleges in this state. Except as authorized under sub. (5), such grants shall be made only to students enrolled in nonprofit public institutions or tribally controlled colleges in this state.

(2) The board shall award talent incentive grants to uniquely needy students enrolled at least half-time as first-time freshmen at public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education located in this state and to sophomores, juniors, and seniors who received such grants as freshmen. No grant under this subsection may exceed $1,800 for any academic year. The board may award a grant under this subsection to the same student for up to 10 semesters or their equivalent, but may not award such a grant to the same student more than 6 years after the initial grant is awarded to that student. A student need not maintain continuous enrollment at an institution of higher education to remain eligible for a grant under this subsection. The board shall promulgate rules establishing eligibility criteria for grants under this subsection.

(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. Grants under sub. (1) shall not exceed $3,000 during any one academic year, except that beginning in academic year 2009-10, grants under sub. (1) shall not exceed $3,150 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.

(4)

(a) The board shall award grants under this section based on a formula that accounts for expected parental and student contributions and is consistent with generally accepted definitions and nationally approved needs analysis methodology.

(d) The awarding of grants under this section is subject to any formula approved or modified by the board under s. 39.285 (1).

(5) The board shall ensure that grants under this section are made available to students attending private or public institutions in this state who are deaf or hard of hearing or visually impaired and who demonstrate need. Grants may also be made available to such students attending private or public institutions in other states under criteria established by the board. In determining the financial need of these students special consideration shall be given to their unique and unusual costs.

(6) The board may not make a grant under this section to a person whose name appears on the statewide support lien docket under s. 49.854 (2) (b), unless the person provides to the board a payment agreement that has been approved by the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) and that is consistent with rules promulgated under s. 49.858 (2) (a).

(8) The board shall award grants under this section to University of Wisconsin System students from the appropriation under s. 20.235 (1) (fe).

History: 1973 c. 90; 1973 c. 335 s. 13; 1975 c. 39, 189, 224; 1977 c. 26 s. 75; 1979 c. 34; 1983 a. 27 ss. 926d to 926t, 2202 (22); 1985 a. 332 s. 251 (1); 1987 a. 27; 1989 a. 31; 1993 a. 399; 1995 a. 27, 404; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9, 185; 2001 a. 109; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 25, 367; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28, 182; 2011 a. 32; 2013 a. 20, 329, 330; 2017 a. 59; 2019 a. 9.