About Agency & Staff
Agency Structure
The Higher Educational Aids Board is a part-time independent policy-making board composed of ten members appointed to serve at the pleasure of the governor. The Governor appoints one member from the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System; one member from the State Board of the Wisconsin Technical College System; one member who is a trustee of an independent college or university to represent such independent institutions; one student and one financial aid administrator each from within the University of Wisconsin System, Wisconsin Technical College System and independent institutions; one citizen member to represent the general public; and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The Executive Secretary of HEAB is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Governor. The Executive Secretary makes policy recommendations to the Board; carries out policy directives from the Governor, Legislature and Board; and is responsible for initiating and carrying out all administrative direction and responsibilities of the agency. The Deputy Executive Secretary serves outside the classified service at the pleasure of the Executive Secretary. All other permanent agency staff are in the classified service. The organizational chart of the agency below reflects the most recent structure.
Agency Functions
The agency's major operational responsibilities are administration of grants & scholarship programs, reciprocal agreements, tuition capitation programs, and collection of student loans. HEAB also provides administrative support and web site hosting for the Wisconsin Distance Learning Authorization Board (DLAB).
The Minnesota-Wisconsin Tuition Reciprocity Program is administrated in conjunction with the Minnesota Higher Education Services Office.
The Board has tuition capitation agreements with both the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Marquette University School of Dentistry. These agreements provide funds to the two institutions to train Wisconsin residents as physicians and dentists.
Mission Statement
"The Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board will work to ensure that all Wisconsin residents are provided equal access to a higher education, to promote diversity on Wisconsin college and university campuses, and to distribute all funds in HEAB administered programs using fair, equitable and timely procedures."