In-state students at the University of Wisconsin struggling to pay tuition have a new law on their side. The state Legislature recently passed the Student Financial Aid Bill, which links tuition increases with increases in available student aid.
Under this law, student aid will automatically increase by the same amount as tuition for all in-state students attending any public university in Wisconsin.
After years of lobbying state government to pay attention to the needs of students suffering under the burden of increased tuition costs, student groups across Wisconsin public universities have achieved their goal.
“The student involvement was highly impressive,” said Rep. Spencer Black, who was instrumental in supporting student efforts to pass the bill.
“They did an excellent job making their case through research of the issue and presenting why the bill is a good use of tax money.”
Austin Evans of the Associated Students of Madison, who served as the coordinator of UW’s student campaign to pass the bill, advises students to “keep going at it.”
“Students have been working on this issue for years,” Evans said. “We thought the governor would veto the bill, but he didn’t. You never know what will happen or if it will make a difference.”
Black said this victory is a “textbook example of student success.” His advice to students is to continue their involvement in state politics.
Black said many benefits will follow the increased monetary support of Wisconsin students. These benefits include graduating with a smaller loan debt and being able to work fewer hours.
“Now students won’t have to exhaust themselves working 40 hours in addition to doing schoolwork in order to supplement their income,” Black said
A recent study by the UW System shows that the average debt of a UW graduate is $15,000, an increase of $500 from last year.
The bill should impact current students who are early in their college careers, but the most dramatic effects are reserved for future students, according to Black.
“This is one of the bills that will make the most difference in people’s lives,” Black said. “[Wisconsin universities] won’t have to deny access to ambitious individuals from families with moderate incomes.”
Evans said the university and the prospective lower income students will both benefit from the bill.
“It’s important that a higher education isn’t out of reach for these students,” Evans said. “Also, the university will continue to have students from all different perspectives.”
According to Evans, every $100 increase in tuition results in losing about 2 percent of lower income students.
“Governor McCallum’s decision to pass this bill is simply a step in the right direction,” Evans said. “Students shouldn’t be forced to leave the university early or never come at all.”
Black hopes the passing of this bill at the insistence of students will not end student activism in legislative issues.
“It’s very important for students to be involved at election time to show that student votes do count,” Black said. “In this way, any student can be involved in the Legislature.”
