Government Relations

UW System Position on Bills Introduced in the Legislature During the 2005-2006 Session

Pending Legislation

AB 895

WHEG Grant Increase

Full Description

(Ballweg) Increases the WHEG grant maximum for any academic year from $2,500 to $3,000.

Referred to: Colleges and Universities Committee.

UW System Position

SUPPORT: The Board supports the removal of the WHEG cap and this bill to increase the cap for the state’s neediest students from $2,500 to $3,000 is a step in the right direction. In 2004-05 up to 8,000 of the total 26,000 WHEG recipients received the maximum award. With tuition expected to increase again next year, the bill would allow these students to at least be eligible to receive an increase to cover the tuition increase, if their family income and assets remain unchanged. There is no fiscal impact to the bill as there are funds in the HEAB account to cover this increase due to the Governor’s budget vetoes.