The Monthly Memo

Please visit our web page. The site address is: heab.state.wi.us.

Points of Interest:

1. The Assembly's budget bill includes a 5.7% annual increase for the WTC WHEG program along with a 6.6% annual increase for the WTG program. It also includes a 5.7% increase for the 1999-2000 UW WHEG program and ties the 2000-01 UW WHEG program increase to the previous year's tuition increase (funded through tuition revenue). The TIP grant increase is left at the JFC level of 4.92% and 4.97%. The Assembly version also reinstates HEAB staff funding that was removed by JFC. All other HEAB related issues in the JFC version remain the same in the Assembly version.

   The Senate's budget bill includes a 6% increase for the 1999-2000 UW WHEG program and TIP grant. The 2000-01 UW WHEG program and TIP grant increase are tied to the previous year's tuition increase (funded through GPR or tax dollars). The Senate version also includes a 6% annual increase for the WTC WHEG program along with an increase in the WTG program in the amount of 11.4% in 1999-2000 and 4.7% in 2000-01. All other HEAB related issues in the JFC version remain the same in the Senate version.

   Next the Assembly and Senate will each select five conferees to come together and discuss the Assembly and Senate budget versions and to develop a final version which will be sent on to the Governor for signature. It is currently expected that a budget may be sent to the Governor as early as next week. I expect the Higher Educational Aids Board will meet at the earliest mid July or as late as August to discuss WHEG/WTG formulas.

2. Please welcome Jim Buske who is HEAB's new Programs and Policy Division Manager. Many of you may remember Jim from when he worked for the Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation. He is looking forward to working with all of you again. If you would like to drop him a line, his email address is james.buske@heab.state.wi.us and his telephone number is (608) 267.9865.

Points Related to Processing:

1998-99

1. 1998-99 FINAL notification list and other associated reports are scheduled to print 7/27/99.

2. The 1998-99 vouchering process has ended. There are several checks for a few problem vouchers that will be put in the mail or are already on their way.

3. Currently the award commit and spent for WHEG and WTG is as follows:

   UW WHEG Award Commit	=	135.53%	(last year at this time it was 137.61%)
   UW WHEG Spent	=	97.10%	(last year at this time it was 95.40%)
   WTC WHEG Award Commit	=	169.18%	(last year at this time it was 173.88%)
   WTC WHEG Spent	=	99.44%	(last year at this time it was 99.10%)
   WTG Award Commit	=	114.75%	(last year at this time it was 112.23%)
   WTG Spent	=	100.00%	(last year at this time it was 99.96%)

Jane Hojan-Clark, Executive Secretary
Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board