NEWS
State legislators unveil proposal to increase financial aid funds
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by Carolyn Smith
Thursday, September 15, 2005
State Reps. Spencer Black and Joe Parisi, both D-Madison, announced legislation Wednesday that would provide more financial aid funding for students.
Under the provisions of the bill, $17 million in additional higher-education aid grants would be made available to University of Wisconsin students.
"For those who receive student aid, [this bill] would effectively freeze their tuition without sacrificing dollars that are going to the university," Parisi said.
The bill would increase the amount of state aid students receive so it would match the increase in tuition costs. The funding would be set aside in the state budget for the next biennium if the bill is approved.
The amount of money needed for the new grants is relatively small compared to the $55 billion budget, Black said.
Parisi called the legislation an “investment” and said previous generations and the state Legislature are obligated to give current and future scholars a hand.
"We feel this bill is one small step to make it so that all young people are able to afford to attend the university, regardless of their financial background," he said.
Black said the 50 percent increase in tuition over the past two state budget periods has caused financial stress for students who rely on financial aid to pay tuition.
"I'm very concerned that over the past few years, tuition has increased substantially and financial aid has not kept pace," Black said.
The jump in education costs has had two major consequences for young people in the state, Black said.
"Fewer students now are coming from moderate and low-income families," Black said.
Secondly, UW graduates are leaving college with "a very high debt load" of about $17,000 on average for those who receive aid, he added.
"It would be a shame if the University of Wisconsin becomes a providence only of the well-to-do," he said.
Black cited legislation passed recently in Wisconsin that requires student aid to increase at the same percentage rate as tuition, but said students need even more help.
Parisi said he would not have been able to afford college when he was young if it had not been for aid programs.
"We are living the American dream," Parisi said. "The only reason we are able to do that is because generations before us made sacrifices and made investments to provide us with the opportunity."
However, for the bill to be successful, students must get involved, Black and Parisi said.
Though the legislators are still looking for co-sponsors for the bill, they said the bill is likely to be discussed and decided on within the next legislative session.
Black and Parisi, both UW alumni, said they are hopeful the bill will be approved in the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly.
"I don't want to see the door that was opened to me closed to students and kids in the future," Black said.
