SB 735

This bill creates a grant program to cover resident tuition and fees at technical

colleges and two-year University of Wisconsin System schools. The bill also

eliminates the manufacturing tax credit.

The bill creates the Freedom to Learn Program, administered by the Higher

Educational Aids Board, to provide grants to resident students enrolled in technical

colleges or two-year UW System schools (eligible postsecondary institutions) who

have completed the federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The

amount of the grant is the amount of the student's tuition and fees, minus the amount

of other grants and scholarships awarded to the student to cover tuition and fees.

A recipient of an initial grant may renew the grant in the following academic year

if the recipient has maintained enrollment and a cumulative grade point average of

at least 2.0 and again enrolls in an eligible postsecondary institution in the following

academic year and completes the FAFSA. HEAB must establish requirements for

community service by grant recipients, and a grant may not be renewed unless the

grant recipient has satisfied these community service requirements. After a student

has met all requirements for an associate degree or diploma in the student's program,

the student is no longer eligible for the grant. Under the bill, HEAB must submit

to the legislature certain reports relating to the program.

Under current law, a person may claim a tax credit based on the person's

qualified production activities income derived from manufacturing or agriculture in

this state. The bill provides that, for taxable years beginning after December 31,

2017, a person may not claim the tax credit for income that is derived from

manufacturing.