The event, called Students' Day, is sponsored by the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and is meant to advocate increased funding for the Wisconsin Tuition Grant.,”
Students from all over Wisconsin gathered in Madison Wednesday to let the legislature know they want more need-based financial aid funded by the state.
The event, called Students' Day, is sponsored by the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and is meant to advocate increased funding for the Wisconsin Tuition Grant.
The Wisconsin Tuition Grant provides need-based financial aid to Wisconsin students who attend the state's private colleges and universities.
Students' Day takes place just before the Wisconsin legislature begins debating the state's budget for the next two years. One of the items at stake on the budget is the amount of funding for the grant.
"We don't want our portion of financial aid to be cut," said Jacky Thomson, financial aid counselor at Marquette. "It's like they have a pie and we want the biggest chunk of that pie they can give."
Student presence at the Capitol, where part of the day was spent, is meant to let the students tell legislators how financial aid makes a difference in their lives.
"(We want to) put a human face on the importance of financial aid, particularly for low-income students," said Rolf Wegenke, WAICU president. "I don't think people understand that low-income populations in this state are attending college at a lower rate than they did a decade ago."
Marquette sent nine students and seven administrators and faculty members to the event, according to Thomson.
183 students registered to participate this year, Wegenke said.
According to Wegenke, students spent the first part of the day learning about how higher education is funded and the importance of student aid. Students also heard speeches from Sen. Jeff Plale (D-South Milwaukee) and Rep. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan).
Ballweg said she spoke about differences in financial aid in Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin, particularly the fact that Wisconsin's system of financial aid separates students according to what type of school they want to attend.
"I believe we must do what we can to increase financial aid," Ballweg said. "I want to look at revising the system so that we can grant financial assistance based on student need and not the school they wish to attend."
Ballweg said she encouraged the students to come to her with their feelings on what she talked about and how they think the financial aid system works.
Students also had the opportunity to meet personally with their legislators to express their concerns about financial aid.
"Any time residents of the state come face to face with legislators, it's a benefit for any issue," Ballweg said. "If the students can convey their interest, that's a great thing."
According to Thomson, in 2005, the last time Students' Day was held, the Wisconsin Tuition Grant received a $1.2 million increase in funding and a similar result would be ideal for this year as well.
"I think in the short range (participating students) will gain the perspective that they can make a difference," Wegenke said. "Members of the assembly and senate are going to listen to them and over the summer they're going to see them act on it. In the long range I hope they're going to see more educational opportunity in the state."
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