Gov. Doyle: Announces $12 million in funding to help more Wisconsin students prepare for college

Contacts: Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

Amy Kerwin, College Access Challenge Grant, 608-246-1785

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced $12 million to help students throughout the state by providing them the information and tools they need to plan to go to college. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Access Challenge Grant program that awarded the state $1.6 million annually for the next five years and the Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation, which is providing an additional $819,000 each year.

“In Wisconsin we are making sure that every student who works hard knows that higher education is within reach,” Governor Doyle said. “This grant will help us to provide the tools and information students need to get to college.”

The College Access Challenge Grant will help provide students with the information and tools necessary to have access to higher education. The grant will be used to increase collaboration among high school counselors, Wisconsin Covenant staff, the Department of Public Instruction, college and university campuses, and community-based organizations statewide to assist students and families as they plan and prepare for education beyond high school.

Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation, which is administering the grant on behalf of the Department of Administration, is providing financial aid workshops, personal assistance in filling out college financial aid and admissions applications, and ACT and SAT preparation seminars for students and families across the state.

The program is targeted toward students who are traditionally underrepresented in the college-going population, such as students from low-income and minority backgrounds and students who would be the first in their families to go to college.

Since taking office in 2003, Governor Doyle has taken major steps to improve access to higher education in Wisconsin. The Governor has tripled the amount of financial aid available to students to $243 million. The Governor has also signed legislation to increase the maximum Wisconsin Higher Education Grant for UW System schools from $2,500 to $3,000 and has expanded the college tuition tax deduction. Governor Doyle also created the Wisconsin Covenant, a pathway to higher education for every hardworking Wisconsin student.