SB 181

This bill requires the Higher Educational Aids Board to establish a ten-year

program for making annual grants to individuals who were charged nonresident

tuition by and completed, after July 1, 2019, an educational program, including an

apprenticeship, at Wisconsin technical colleges or University of Wisconsin

institutions. Beginning in fiscal year 2019-20, the bill appropriates $15,000,000

annually to HEAB for administering and making the grants.

To be eligible for the grants, an individual must have continuously resided and

been employed in Wisconsin for a period of at least two years after graduation. In

addition, he or she must have a gross monthly income of at least $3,333 and, if he or

she has federal student loans, the National Student Loan Data System administered

by the U.S. Department of Education must show that the federal loans are in good

standing. The bill requires the Department of Workforce Development or the

Department of Revenue, upon request by HEAB, to provide information relevant to

an individual's eligibility for the grants.

The bill allows an individual to receive annual grants for no more than five

consecutive years in amounts equal to 10 percent of the difference between the total

amount of nonresident tuition the educational institution charged the individual

and the total amount of resident tuition the educational institution would have

charged the individual if the individual had been a resident. If an individual who

receives a grant ceases to reside or be employed in Wisconsin, or has an annual gross

income of less than $40,000, the bill provides that the individual is not eligible for

any additional grants.

The bill requires HEAB to promulgate rules establishing requirements and

procedures for applying for and making the grants. The bill includes a sunset date

that provides that HEAB may not award a grant ten years after the program begins.

No later than eight years after the program begins, the bill requires HEAB to submit

a report to the legislature evaluating the success of the program. The bill allows

HEAB to obtain nonresident tuition amounts for graduates specified by HEAB from

technical colleges and UW institutions.

Finally, the bill imposes duties on DWD. DWD must develop a logo for

businesses to publicize on their websites that they have employed individuals who

are eligible for grants under the program established under the bill. DWD must also

establish requirements for allowing businesses to display the logo on their websites.

In addition, DWD must publicize and maintain on its job center website information

about the program and job openings submitted by businesses that are available for

individuals who are eligible for grants under the program.