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NEWS

Doyle vows to increase aid

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by Pedro Oliveira Jr.

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Gov. Jim Doyle announced Tuesday he will increase financial aid by $44 million in the state budget next week to support his Wisconsin Covenant program.

Before a small group of middle school students in Fitchburg, the governor discussed with Savanna Oaks eighth-graders the importance of attending college and explained the objectives of the Wisconsin Covenant program.

Students who sign a personal Covenant contract are expected to finish high school, maintain a 3.0 grade point average, be good citizens and enroll in college preparatory courses.

In return, the state will guarantee Wisconsin students a place in a University of Wisconsin System school and work with families to provide financial aid. A student's first school choice within the UW System is not guaranteed, though.

Doyle said every student should be able to attend college in Wisconsin.

"I don't want any high school kid to think college isn't for them, or that it's only for rich people," Doyle said. "I want every young person in this state to know that there is a way that they can get to college."

The proposed $44 million increase in financial aid is part of a $225 million investment in education, addressed by Doyle in his State of the State address Jan. 30.

"In my budget next month I'll offer a comprehensive education agenda to prepare our kids for the jobs of tomorrow," Doyle said.

In addition to the Wisconsin Covenant program, the governor vowed to create "smaller classes, higher standards, good nutrition, a strong start in life and a ticket to college for every kid willing to work for it."

Once the first Covenant students arrive in the UW System, Doyle said his $225 million will help increase enrollment across five UW schools and improve graduation rates. The details of Doyle's budget will not be disclosed, though, until he hands it to the state Legislature Feb. 13.

Susan Fischer, director of the UW-Madison Office of Student Financial Services, said she is pleased by Doyle's commitment to education but doesn't know if the funding is there.

"We're always pleased when grant money for education is a high priority of the state government," Fischer said. "I just don't know where the money is going to come from."

Doyle said Tuesday there is a difference between "spending money and investing."

"Some people ask me, 'How are we going to afford this?' My answer is 'How are we not going to afford it?'" Doyle said. "Frankly, the money that we put in we're going to get back from you. You get college education, you're going to earn more money, pay more taxes and we'll receive that money back."

According to Doyle, administrative leaders of the UW System, Wisconsin Technical College System and the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, have been contacted and approved the initiative.

Eighth-grade students who chose to participate in the Wisconsin Covenant program will be able to sign a contract this spring.

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