MADISON…Today, Representative Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva) announced that legislation he co-authored has passed the State Assembly on a unanimous 96-0 vote.
The bill would ensure the successful WI Merit Scholarship program continues into the future. Set at $5,000, the scholarships are based solely on merit to Wisconsin residents who are attending UW System schools.
“The scholarship has been a valuable tool for the UW to ensure we are keeping our best and brightest students right here in Wisconsin,” said August. “This scholarship has helped our university system compete with other schools across the nation.”
Created in 2018, the program has benefitted nearly 300 freshmen with $1.5 million in scholarships. The scholarship is based on high school GPA and ACT scores, with it being awarded to students across all colleges in the UW System.
“Studies have shown once these students leave Wisconsin, it is very difficult to get them to come back,” explained August. “These kids are the leaders and entrepreneurs of the future, and this program will help ensure they will remain Wisconsin residents.”
August pointed out that the program does not use general fund tax dollars. Instead, it utilizes revenue from a segregated trust account known as the Normal School Fund (NSF).
In fact, the NFS is constitutionally required to benefit the UW System. The bill will now go to the State Senate for its consideration, where companion legislation is authored by Senator Steve Nass (R-Whitewater).
