Frequently Asked Questions

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General Questions


How can a student apply for Wisconsin state financial aid from HEAB?

Students need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for State of Wisconsin need-based assistance.

Why must a student file the FAFSA, a federal form, in order to be eligible for state grants?

The federal Department of Education passes applicable student information for Wisconsin residents to HEAB. Student and parental financial information provided on the FAFSA determines the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is included in the formulas developed by HEAB each year to calculate Wisconsin Grant (WG) and Talent Incentive Program (TIP) awards.

Is registration with Selective Service required?

Male students seeking financial aid from the State of Wisconsin are required to register with the United States Selective Service System (SSS).

Which state grants serve the largest number of students?

The Wisconsin Grant is the primary financial aid programs administered by HEAB. The WG population includes students attending two and four year UW campuses, Wisconsin Technical Colleges, non-profit independent colleges and universities based in Wisconsin and Tribal Colleges.

Where can a student get applications for the Wisconsin Grant?

The FAFSA is the only application students need to complete to be considered for Wisconsin Grant.

Academic Excellence Scholarship


What are the sources of information on the Academic Excellence Scholarship?

The Statute for the AES is 39.41; the rules are found in Chapter HEA 9 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code; and you may contact the Higher Educational Aids Board with specific questions.

How many scholarships are available for each school?

The number of scholarships available to each school is based on that school's enrollment. Schools with 80 through 499 students enrolled in grades 9-12 are allocated one scholarship, schools with 500 through 999 students in grades 9-12 are allocated two scholarships, and so on.
Enrollment Number of scholarships
1-79 Compete statewide for 10 scholarships
80-499 1
500-999 2
1000-1499 3
1500-1999 4
2000-2499 5
Over 2500 6

What is the value of the scholarship?

Recipients of the AES receive $2,250 towards tuition, with HEAB providing half and the post secondary institution providing the other half.

When does the high school submit the name of the scholarship winner?

HEAB sends nomination forms to high schools in January, to be completed and returned to HEAB by March 1.

In determining the scholarship winners, should the GPA be calculated in a weighted or unweighted system?

Either system is acceptable. Use whichever system is normally used in the high school.

May courses taken while the student was in junior high school count toward the high school GPA for purposes of awarding the scholarship?

If the courses appear on the high school transcript and if they are regarded in all respects as high school courses, they should be included in the calculation of the GPA for purposes of the AES.

What if a school does not normally use "all subjects" when calculating the GPA?

The school may contact HEAB and receive a waiver to calculate the GPA using only the academic subjects normally included in the GPA.

How are GPA ties resolved?

The high school should have a written policy stating the tie-breakers to be used, in the order in which they will be used. Typical tie breakers are ACT scores, or number of honors courses.

How does a student qualify to be an alternate for the scholarship?

If you have a weighted grading system, wherein an A may be worth more grade points in some courses than in others, then you may list as alternates for the AES the students with the next highest GPAs. If you have an unweighted grading system, because of new legislation you may list as alternate the students with the next highest GPAs, not lower than 3.8.

Should alternates be told of their status?

You are encouraged to inform alternates of their status as such and of their rank order. Also, you should feel free to give recipients and alternates information on how to contact HEAB if they have any questions.

What happens if a potential scholarship recipient graduates early?

Generally, if the student is a senior at the time the winner of the scholarship is determined, then it does not matter when the student graduates. The student will receive the scholarship for the fall semester after he or she graduates.

When must the scholarship award be used?

In some cases (especially when there are no alternates involved), use of the scholarship may be deferred. Deferment is possible when the student is ill, or receives other scholarships through sources which may be short term for the student (for example, ROTC, other scholarships from specific schools, or scholarships from the parents' employer.) Otherwise, the scholarship must be used in the same year in which the student graduates from high school, starting with the fall term.

Is it important for the AES nominees to return the WAES form?

It is ESSENTIAL that the nominee return the WAES form. If a recipient does not give HEAB the name of the Wisconsin college he or she will attend, via the WAES form which is sent to the student in the spring, then HEAB cannot complete the student's record to allow for release of the funds. Also, if the student is not using the funds at a participating institution, he or she MUST release the scholarship before an alternate may receive it. Delays in sending the information and in sending the release to HEAB mean delays in awarding an alternate.

Why must the AES nominee designate the school they plan to attend?

The name of the school the AES recipient is planning on attending is needed to make the program run more efficiently. It allows us to know which alternates may need to be contacted for further information about their plans.

Which colleges participate in the AES program?

Colleges in the University of Wisconsin system, including the two year campuses, colleges in the Independent College system, and colleges in the Wisconsin Technical College system all participate in the AES program. The AES CANNOT be used at schools located outside of the state of Wisconsin.

Hearing/Visually Impaired Student Grant


Who is eligible for a grant under the Wisconsin Hearing & Visually Handicapped Student Grant program?

A student must have a severe to profound hearing or visual loss and demonstrate financial need to qualify for this grant. If the student has another disability, he/she should contact their local Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Is medical certification required every year when a student applies for this grant?

While an annual application is required for this grant, only the initial application requires medical certification to determine the degree of a hearing or visual impairment.

Is the Hearing and Visually Handicapped Student Grant restricted to Wisconsin schools only?

Under certain circumstances, a student can attend an out-of-state school and still be eligible for this grant.

Indian Student Assistance Grant


What should a Native-American student with limited information regarding his/her tribe or degree of Native-American blood do to pursue eligibility for this grant?

The student should contact the Bureau of Indian Affairs (Great Lakes Agency), Ashland, WI at (715) 682-4527. The Bureau will assist the student in tracing his/her Native-American Heritage.

Do the Native American tribes in Wisconsin provide additional funding in conjunction with this grant?

The Tribal Education Offices often match or exceed the maximum $1,100 Indian Student Assistance Grant.

Minnesota-Wisconsin Tuition Reciprocity


How does a student receive MN-WI Tuition Reciprocity?

A student must apply to HEAB and be approved to receive MN-WI Tuition Reciprocity. It is not automatic!

When does a student need to re-apply for MN-WI Tuition Reciprocity?

A student must submit a new reciprocity application to HEAB if he/she changes Minnesota schools.

Is there a deadline for applying for MN-WI Tuition Reciprocity?

A MN-WI Reciprocity application must be postmarked no later than the last day of scheduled classes of the first term for which a student expects to receive benefits under the agreement.

Nursing Student Loan


How does a student apply for the Nursing Student Loan?

To apply for this loan, students must complete and file a FAFSA. They should then notify the financial aid office that they are interested in receiving a loan under the program.

How much may a student receive through this program?

There is a minimum loan of $250 and a maximum of $3,000 per school year. There is a cumulative total of $15,000.

Can this loan be forgiven?

This loan is forgiven at the rate of 25% in each of the first two years of full-time work as a nurse in Wisconsin, for a maximum of 50%.

When must a student repay this loan?

Borrowers go into repayment on the remaining 50% of the loan when the forgiveness period is completed. If the borrower does not practice as a nurse in Wisconsin upon graduation, the borrower will have a six month grace period and then repayment will begin on the outstanding balance.

Talent Incentive Program (TIP) Grant


Who is eligible for the TIP Grant?

An initial TIP award may only be given to a Wisconsin resident first-time freshman, enrolled at least half-time in a degree or certificate program, who demonstrates financial need and who comes from a non-traditional or educationally-disadvantaged background.

What is a "first-time freshman"?

A first-time freshman is a student who has been enrolled in a post-secondary institution for less than two semesters at half or greater time since attending high school.

What are the "financial need" criteria for an initial TIP award?

  • Family Contribution
    1. A dependent student whose expected parent contribution is $200 or less.
    2. An independent student whose academic year contribution is $200 or less.
  • TANF or W2 Benefits
    1. A dependent student whose family is receiving TANF or W2 benefits.
    2. An independent student who is receiving TANF or W2 benefits.
  • Unemployment
    1. A dependent student whose parent(s) are ineligible for unemployment compensation and has/have no current income from employment.
    2. An independent student (and spouse, if married) who is/are ineligible for unemployment compensation and has/have no current income from employment.
PLEASE NOTE! An eligible initial TIP recipient must meet at least one of the financial need criteria AND at least one of the non-traditional / educationally-disadvantaged criteria.

What are the "non-traditional / educationally-disadvantaged" criteria?

  • The student is or will be enrolled in a special academic support program due to insufficient academic preparation.
  • The student is a first-generation post-secondary student (neither parent graduated from a four-year college or university).
  • The student is handicapped according to the Department of Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) or according to the Special Needs or Disabilities Office on Wisconsin college or university campuses which use the Americans with Disabilities Act definition.
  • The student is currently or was formerly incarcerated in a correctional institution.
  • The student's environmental or academic background is such that it deters the pursuit of educational plans.
PLEASE NOTE! An eligible initial TIP recipient must meet at least one of the financial need criteria AND at least one of the non-traditional / educationally-disadvantaged criteria.

Which schools participate in the Talent Incentive Program?

The TIP Grant is available at all University of Wisconsin campuses and Wisconsin Technical Colleges, as well as non-profit independent colleges and universities based in Wisconsin, and Wisconsin tribal colleges.

What applications are required for the TIP Grant?

The student must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A student may be nominated for the TIP Grant by their school financial aid office or by a counselor of the Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Programs. Any additional forms will be provided by the school financial aid office or the nominating WEOP counselor.

Can a student receive the TIP Grant after their freshman year?

Only first-time freshmen are eligible for an initial TIP award. A student who received the TIP Grant as a freshman may continuing to receive the TIP Grant for a total of 10 semesters (including the freshman year), but a student cannot receive an initial TIP award after their first year in school.

What are the requirements for continuing to receive the TIP Grant?

To be eligible for a continuing TIP award, the student must:
  • continue to be a Wisconsin resident enrolled at least half-time in a degree or certificate program
  • make satisfactory academic progress toward their degree or certificate
  • continue to demonstrate financial need