A. Higher Educational Aids Board Policy and Procedure Manual Update

Attached is a copy of a letter that was sent to Presidents or Chancellors and to Financial Aid Administrators in regards to the HEAB Policy and Procedure Manual that has been implemented. This was sent in lieu of a formal agreement. No school representatives have responded to indicate that their institution would not be able to fulfill the expectations outlined in the manual. HEAB continues to work with the Wisconsin Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and others to finalize language related to the "return of funds" which is to be implemented July 1, 2002.

B. Review of the Talent Incentive Program Grant Awarding Criteria and the Handicapped Student Grant Program Update

The following was presented to the Board October, 2000. A request for feedback on the following was also sent to UW System Administration, Tribal Colleges, WAICU, WASFAA State Issues Committee, WEOP, and WTC System Board:

The Talent Incentive Program Grant provides grant assistance to the most needy and educationally disadvantaged resident students attending colleges and universities in the State of Wisconsin. The maximum award per year for freshmen enrolled at least half-time is $1,800. Upper class students enrolled at least half-time are eligible for up to $1,250 in 2000-01 if enrolled consecutive terms and continue to show financial need. Eligibility cannot exceed ten semesters. Funding for the TIP Grant is provided by both the State of Wisconsin and by the Federal Government. Some of the language in the Administrative Rules that regulate this program has become obsolete. References are made of programs that no longer exist and some of the need or student status criteria may no longer apply. To better serve students from a disadvantaged background it would be helpful to better understand your perspective on the following:
1. Are any of the need or student status criteria no longer applicable?
2. If so, how should the criteria be altered?

The Handicapped Student Grant Program was established to provide funding for Wisconsin residents, enrolled at least half-time at an in-state or eligible out-of-state public or independent institution. The student must show financial need and have a severe or profound hearing or visual impairment. Students are eligible to receive up to $1,800 per year for up to ten semesters. The need to serve students with various handicaps continues to exist. This program as it currently exists provides funds to students with very specific impairments. To better serve these students and possibly those students with other handicaps, it would be helpful to know the following:

1. How extensive is the financial need of students with profound hearing or visual impairments?
2. What other types of handicaps do students who are not currently being served have?

A number of responses were received related to both of these issues. We plan to move ahead and develop recommended changes for each of these programs. Distance Learning was also an issue that was presented to the Board in October, 2000. Feedback received to date related to this issue indicates that a comprehensive evaluation must be made before a response can be written.

C. 31st Annual NASSGAP Survey Data Highlights

The 1999-2000 NASSGAP was published in April of 2001. Following are some highlights:

NATIONAL

• State awarded financial aid (need and non-need-based) increased by 12.6% in 1999-2000 over the previous year. $4.15 billion was awarded to more than 2.5 million students.
• Need-based grant aid to undergraduates increased by 8.5% over the previous year. Over $3.2 billion was awarded.
• Wisconsin was one of seven states to report a new need-based program (Tribal WHEG).

D. Federal Programs Status Report

This information will be provided on the day of the meeting, July 20, 2001.