Chapter 39

39.41(7) (7) By August 1, 1997, and annually thereafter, the board shall submit a report to the joint committee on finance evaluating the success of the program under this section. The report shall specify the number and amount of the scholarships awarded in the current fiscal year and the institutions of higher education chosen by the scholarship recipients.

39.41(8) (8) The executive secretary shall promulgate rules establishing criteria for the designation of scholars under sub. (1m) (c) 3.

39.41 History History: 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 39, 269, 315; 1993 a. 16, 399, 457; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 27, 109, 237; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 57; 2005 a. 267; 2009 a. 302, 306; 2011 a. 260; 2013 a. 60, 237.

39.41 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. HEA 9, Wis. adm. code.

39.415 39.415 Technical excellence higher education scholarships.

39.415(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

39.415(1)(a) (a) “Executive secretary” means the executive secretary of the board.

39.415(1)(b) (b) “Faculty of the high school” means the principal administrative unit of the faculty personnel of a high school.

39.415(1)(c) (c) “Level of proficiency in technical education subjects” means the level of proficiency of a senior in technical education subjects according to criteria developed and approved under sub. (2).

39.415(1)(d) (d) “School board” has the meaning given in s. 115.001 (7).

39.415(1)(e) (e) “School district” has the meaning given in s. 115.01 (3).

39.415(1)(f) (f) “Senior” means a pupil enrolled in the 12th grade in a public or private high school, a tribal school, the school operated by the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, or the school operated by the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

39.415(1)(g) (g) “Tribal school” has the meaning given in s. 115.001 (15m).

39.415(1)(h) (h) “Vocational diploma” means a diploma granted to a person who has completed a 2-year, full-time program in an area designated and approved by the technical college system board for which the course requirements are established by that board.

39.415(2) (2) Level of proficiency criteria.

39.415(2)(a) (a) Each school board of a school district operating one or more high schools and each governing body of a private high school or tribal high school shall develop criteria to determine the level of proficiency in technical education subjects of seniors enrolled in a high school operated by the school district or governed by the governing body and submit those criteria to the board for approval. If the board approves those criteria, the school board or governing body may use those criteria to designate seniors as scholars under sub. (3) (a) or to nominate seniors for designation as scholars under sub. (3) (b) and the faculty of the high school may use those criteria to select seniors for designation as scholars or to certify alternates under sub. (3) (d) or (e).

39.415(2)(b) (b) The executive secretary shall develop criteria to determine the level of proficiency in technical education subjects of seniors enrolled in the school operated by the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing or the school operated by the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired and of seniors nominated under sub. (3) (b) and submit those criteria to the board for approval. If the board approves those criteria, the executive secretary may use those criteria to designate seniors as scholars under sub. (3) (c) 1., 2., or 3., or to select alternates under sub. (3) (f) or (g).

39.415(3) (3) Designation of scholars.

39.415(3)(a) (a) Subject to par. (d), by February 25 of each school year, the school board of each school district operating one or more high schools and the governing body of each private high school and of each tribal high school shall:

39.415(3)(a)1. 1. For each high school with an enrollment of at least 80 pupils but fewer than 500 pupils, designate the senior with the highest level of proficiency in technical education subjects as a scholar.

39.415(3)(a)2. 2. For each high school with an enrollment of at least 500 pupils but fewer than 1,000 pupils, designate the 2 seniors with the 2 highest levels of proficiency in technical education subjects as scholars.

39.415(3)(a)3. 3. For each high school with an enrollment of at least 1,000 pupils but fewer than 1,500 pupils, designate the 3 seniors with the 3 highest levels of proficiency in technical education subjects as scholars.

39.415(3)(a)4. 4. For each high school with an enrollment of at least 1,500 pupils but fewer than 2,000 pupils, designate the 4 seniors with the 4 highest levels of proficiency in technical education subjects as scholars.

39.415(3)(a)5. 5. For each high school with an enrollment of at least 2,000 pupils but fewer than 2,500 pupils, designate the 5 seniors with the 5 highest levels of proficiency in technical education subjects as scholars.

39.415(3)(a)6. 6. For each high school with an enrollment of 2,500 or more pupils, designate the 6 seniors with the 6 highest levels of proficiency in technical education subjects as scholars.

39.415(3)(b) (b) Subject to par. (e), by February 25 of each school year, the school board of each school district operating one or more high schools and the governing body of each private high school and of each tribal high school may, for each high school with an enrollment of fewer than 80 pupils, nominate for designation as a scholar by the executive secretary under par. (c) 3. the senior with the highest level of proficiency in technical education subjects.

39.415(3)(c) (c) The executive secretary shall do all of the following:

39.415(3)(c)1. 1. Subject to par. (f), for the school operated by the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, designate the senior with the highest level of proficiency in technical education subjects as a scholar.

39.415(3)(c)2. 2. Subject to par. (g), for the school operated by the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, designate the senior with the highest level of proficiency in technical education subjects as a scholar.

39.415(3)(c)3. 3. Designate not more than 10 seniors nominated under par. (b) as scholars.

39.415(3)(c)4. 4. For each public, private, or tribal high school with an enrollment of at least 80 pupils, notify the school board of the school district operating the public high school or the governing body of the private or tribal high school of the number of scholars to be designated under par. (a).

39.415(3)(c)5. 5. For each public, private, or tribal high school with an enrollment of fewer than 80 pupils, notify the school board of the school district operating the public high school or the governing body of the private or tribal high school that the school board or governing body may nominate a senior under par. (b) who may be designated as a scholar by the executive secretary.

39.415(3)(d) (d) By February 25 of each school year, if 2 or more seniors from the same high school of at least 80 pupils have the same level of proficiency in technical education subjects and, except for the limitation on the number of designated scholars, are otherwise eligible for designation under par. (a), the faculty of the high school shall select the applicable number of seniors for designation under par. (a) as scholars and shall select, in order of priority, any remaining seniors with the same level of proficiency as alternates for the scholars or, if there is no remaining senior with the same level of proficiency, any remaining seniors with the next highest level of proficiency as alternates for the scholars. If a senior from that high school who is designated as a scholar under par. (a) does not qualify for a higher education scholarship under sub. (4) (a), an alternate for the scholar with the same level of proficiency as any senior from that high school designated as a scholar under par. (a) shall be eligible for a higher education scholarship under sub. (4) (a) until the scholarship may be awarded by the board. If an alternate with the same level of proficiency as a scholar under par. (a) does not qualify for a higher education scholarship under sub. (4) (a), an alternate with the next highest level of proficiency shall be eligible for a higher education scholarship under sub. (4) (a) until the scholarship may be awarded by the board.

39.415(3)(e) (e) If 2 or more seniors from the same high school of fewer than 80 pupils have the same level of proficiency in technical education subjects and, except for the limitation of one nominated senior, are otherwise eligible for nomination under par. (b), the faculty of the high school shall select the senior who may be nominated by the school board of the school district operating the public high school or the governing body of the private or tribal high school for designation under par. (b) as a scholar by the executive secretary. If that senior is designated as a scholar by the executive secretary, but does not qualify for a higher education scholarship under sub. (4) (a), the faculty of the high school shall select, in order of priority, one or more of the remaining seniors with the same level of proficiency for nomination as a scholar or, if there is no remaining senior with the same level of proficiency, one or more of the remaining seniors with the next highest level of proficiency for nomination as a scholar, and the school board of the school district operating the high school or the governing body of the private or tribal high school shall nominate under par. (b) one or more of these seniors as eligible for a higher education scholarship under sub. (4) (a) until the scholarship may be awarded by the board.

39.415(3)(f) (f) If 2 or more seniors from the school operated by the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired have the same level of proficiency in technical education subjects and, except for the limitation of one designated senior, are otherwise eligible for designation under par. (c) 1., the executive secretary shall make the designation under par. (c) 1. of the senior who may be eligible for a higher education scholarship under sub. (4) (a). If that senior does not qualify for a higher education scholarship under sub. (4) (a), the executive secretary shall designate, in order of priority, one or more of the remaining seniors with the same level of proficiency, or, if there is no remaining senior with the same level of proficiency, one or more of the remaining seniors with the next highest level of proficiency as eligible for a higher education scholarship under sub. (4) (a) until the scholarship may be awarded by the board.

39.415(3)(g) (g) If 2 or more seniors from the school operated by the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing have the same level of proficiency in technical education subjects and, except for the limitation of one designated senior, are otherwise eligible for designation under par. (c) 2., the executive secretary shall make the designation under par. (c) 2. of the senior who may be eligible for a higher education scholarship under sub. (4) (a). If that senior does not qualify for a higher education scholarship under sub. (4) (a), the executive secretary shall designate, in order of priority, one or more of the remaining seniors with the same level of proficiency, or, if there is no remaining senior with the same level of proficiency, one or more of the remaining seniors with the next highest level of proficiency as eligible for a higher education scholarship under sub. (4) (a) until the scholarship may be awarded by the board.

39.415(3)(h) (h) Notwithstanding par. (a), if a high school of at least 80 pupils closes or merges, the school board of the school district operating the high school or the governing body of the private or tribal high school shall, subject to par. (d), for each of the 2 school years following the closure or merger, designate the same number of scholars from among the pupils enrolled in the high school at the time of closure or merger as the number of scholars designated for that high school in the school year the high school closed or merged. Any seniors designated under this paragraph shall be eligible for an original scholarship under this section.

39.415(4) (4) Technical college scholarships.

39.415(4)(a) (a) If a designated scholar under sub. (3) is admitted to and enrolls, for at least 6 credits, by September 30 of the academic year immediately following the school year in which the senior was designated a scholar, in a technical college district school that is participating in the program under this section, the scholar shall receive a higher education scholarship in an amount not to exceed $2,250 per academic year.

39.415(4)(b) (b) For each academic year that a scholar who receives a scholarship under par. (a) is enrolled for at least 6 credits, maintains at least a 3.000 grade point average or the equivalent as determined by the district school, and makes satisfactory academic progress toward an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, or a vocational diploma as certified by the district school, the student is eligible to receive a higher education scholarship as determined under par. (a) in the subsequent year or, if the scholar does not enroll in a participating district school in the subsequent year, in the semester immediately following the subsequent year.

39.415(4)(bg) (bg) If a student who received a higher education scholarship under par. (a) is not eligible under par. (b) for the scholarship for a year because the scholar failed to maintain for a prior year at least a 3.000 grade point average or the equivalent determined by the district school, the student is eligible to receive a scholarship under par. (a) for the year immediately following a year for which all of the following criteria are satisfied:

39.415(4)(bg)1. 1. The student enrolls for at least 6 credits.

39.415(4)(bg)2. 2. The student’s grade point average increases to at least 3.000.

39.415(4)(bg)3. 3. The district school certifies that the student has made satisfactory academic progress.

39.415(4)(br) (br) No scholar is eligible for a higher education scholarship for more than 3 years at a district school.

39.415(4)(c) (c) Subject to sub. (5), for each year the student receives a higher education scholarship under par. (a) or (b), the board shall pay the district school, on behalf of the student, an amount not to exceed $1,125 per academic year.

39.415(5) (5) Payments; match required.

39.415(5)(a) (a) The board shall make the payments under sub. (4) (c) only if the district school matches the amount of the payment from institutional funds, gifts, or grants.

39.415(5)(b) (b) The board shall make the payments under sub. (4) (c) from the appropriation under s. 20.235 (1) (fw).

39.415(6) (6) Notifications; approval; withdrawal.

39.415(6)(a) (a)

39.415(6)(a)1. 1. Each technical college district school that wishes to participate in the scholarship program under this section shall notify the board of its wish to participate in the program by October 1 prior to the academic year in which the school wishes to begin participation. The board shall approve for participation in the program a district school that provides notice under this subdivision of its wish to participate in the program. An approval under this subdivision remains valid until suspended or revoked by the board or until withdrawn by the school as provided under subd. 2.

39.415(6)(a)2. 2. If a district school that is approved under subd. 1. for participation in the scholarship program under this section subsequently wishes to no longer participate in the program, the school shall notify the board of this fact in writing by October 1 prior to the academic year in which the institution will no longer participate.

39.415(6)(b) (b) Each designated scholar who is eligible for an original higher education scholarship under sub. (4) (a) shall notify the board as soon as practicable of the district school he or she will be attending in the next academic year. Each designated scholar who is eligible for a subsequent higher education scholarship under sub. (4) (a) shall notify the board as soon as practicable whether he or she will be enrolling in a participating district school in the academic year immediately following the academic year in which he or she received an original or subsequent scholarship under sub. (4), or in the semester immediately following that immediately following year, and of the district school in which he or she will be enrolling.

39.415(6)(c) (c) Annually, the board shall notify each scholar who will be attending a participating technical college district school in the next academic year of the amount of his or her higher education scholarship.

39.415(7) (7) Scholarships not to supplant other grant; exception.

39.415(7)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), a scholarship under this section shall not be used to supplant any other grant for which a student is eligible.

39.415(7)(b) (b) A student who receives a scholarship under this section is not eligible to receive a scholarship under s. 39.41.

39.415(8) (8) Annual report. By August 1, 2016, and annually thereafter, the board shall submit a report to the joint committee on finance evaluating the success of the program under this section. The report shall specify the number and amount of the scholarships awarded in the current fiscal year and the technical college district schools chosen by the scholarship recipients.

39.415(9) (9) Rules. The board shall promulgate rules to implement this section.

39.415 History History: 2013 a. 60; 2017 a. 91.

39.42 39.42 Interstate agreements. The board, with the approval of the joint committee on finance, or the governing boards of any publicly supported institution of post-high school education, with the approval of the board and the joint committee on finance, may enter into agreements or understandings which include remission of nonresident tuition for designated categories of students at state institutions of higher education with appropriate state agencies and institutions of higher education in other states to facilitate use of public higher education institutions of this state and other states. Such agreements and understandings shall have as their purpose the mutual improvement of educational advantages for residents of this state and such other states or institutions of other states with which agreements are made. This section does not apply to the agreement under s. 36.27 (2r).

39.42 History History: 1971 c. 100, 125; 1975 c. 39; 1977 c. 29; 1981 c. 20; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 27; 2023 a. 104.

39.435 39.435 Wisconsin grants and talent incentive grants.

39.435(1) (1) There is established, to be administered by the board, a grant program for postsecondary resident students who satisfy the eligibility criteria under 20 USC 1091 (a) (1) and (2). 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.

39.435(2) (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. No provision of this subsection applies to a grant under sub. (1).

39.435(2m) (2m) The board may award a grant under sub. (1) to the same student for up to 10 semesters of full-time enrollment or, as determined by the board, the equivalent of 10 semesters of full-time enrollment. If the student receiving the grant is enrolled less than full time in any semester or session, only the fraction of the student’s enrollment, in proportion to full-time enrollment, shall be applied toward this 10-semester limit.

39.435(3) (3) The board shall, by rule, establish a reporting system to periodically provide student economic data related to applicants for grants under sub. (1) and shall promulgate other rules the board deems necessary to assure uniform administration of the program.

39.435(4) (4) 

39.435(4)(a) (a) The board shall award grants under this section based on the current federal need analysis formula consistent with generally accepted definitions and nationally approved need analysis methodology.

39.435(4)(d) (d) The awarding of grants under this section is subject to any formula approved or modified by the board under s. 39.285 (1).

39.435(5) (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.

39.435(6) (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).

39.435(8) (8) The board shall award grants under this section to University of Wisconsin System students from the appropriation under s. 20.235 (1) (fe). The board shall ensure that University of Wisconsin System students enrolled in an agricultural short course who are eligible under sub. (1) are awarded grants as provided in sub. (4).

39.435 History 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; 2023 a. 80.

39.435 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. HEA 5, Wis. adm. code.

39.437 39.437 Wisconsin covenant scholars grants.

39.437(1) (1) Establishment of grant program. There is established, to be administered by the board, a Wisconsin Covenant Scholars Program to provide grants to students who meet the eligibility criteria specified in sub. (2).

39.437(2) (2) Eligibility.

39.437(2)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), a student is eligible for a grant under this section if the student meets all of the following criteria:

39.437(2)(a)1. 1. The student is a resident of this state and is enrolled at least half time and registered as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in a public or private, nonprofit, accredited institution of higher education or in a tribally controlled college in this state.

39.437(2)(a)2. 2. The student has been designated as a Wisconsin covenant scholar by the board.

39.437(2)(b) (b)

39.437(2)(b)1. 1. 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).

39.437(2)(b)2. 2. No student shall be eligible for a grant under this section in more than the equivalent of 10 semesters of undergraduate education.

39.437(2)(b)3. 3. No student who fails to meet acceptable academic standards prescribed by the student’s institution of higher education or tribally controlled college shall be or shall remain eligible for a grant under this section.

39.437(3) (3) Amount of grant.

39.437(3)(a) (a) In this subsection, “expected family contribution” means the amount that a student and the student’s family are expected to contribute in an academic year to the cost of the student’s postsecondary education, as determined by use of the most recent federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid, as described in 20 USC 1090 (a).

39.437(3)(b) (b) The amount of a grant shall be paid from the appropriation account under s. 20.235 (1) (fm) and, except as provided in pars. (c) and (d), shall be determined by the board by rule.