Madison, WI – Rep. Scott Allen (R-Waukesha) has put forward a budget motion that would increase funding for the Wisconsin grant program for students attending private colleges and universities in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Grant is an already existing program that provides financial assistance to Wisconsin residents who wish to attend college or university in Wisconsin, whether through the UW system, the technical college system, private colleges and universities or tribal schools. This bill would provide an increase to our funding of this grant program for students attending private colleges or universities.
“Wisconsin needs to address our workforce shortage,” said Rep Allen. “If Wisconsin students leave Wisconsin for college, we are likely to lose them to another state’s workforce.”
Wisconsin’s private colleges and universities produce 23% of all bachelor’s degrees and 33% of all advanced degrees in Wisconsin. Half of their students come from out of state while 67% of their graduates stay to work in Wisconsin, which means that they are a net importer of critically needed workers.
“As the first institution of higher learning in the State of Wisconsin, and the first private college in the state, Carroll University has been a key part of the educational community at both the undergraduate and graduate level since 1846,” said Cindy G. Gnadinger, president of Carroll University. “Carroll has consistently produced business leaders, healthcare professionals, teachers, and civic leaders. Seventy-five percent of our alumni live and work in Wisconsin, making significant contributions to Wisconsin’s workforce and the communities where they live. An investment in private higher education is an investment in the future of Wisconsin.”
Currently, Wisconsin private colleges and universities receive only 2% of total state higher education funding, so this modest increase will help fund grants for financially needy Wisconsin students to attend Wisconsin schools instead of leaving our state.
“This is a strategic investment in the Wisconsin workforce of tomorrow,” stated Rep Allen.
