Wis. board calls for increase in college financial aid

MADISON, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin System and other college groups are endorsing a commission finding that calls for increased college aid in the next state budget.

A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report says the state Higher Educational Aids Board released a report this week concluding that financial-aid resources are insufficient. The commission says more than 76,000 college students who were eligible for financial aid last year didn’t receive need-based grants because state funding ran out.

The commission’s recommendations include changing the law to increase the amount available for certain financial aid by the same percentage that tuition increases.

On Tuesday, the UW System, the state technical college system and others said the board’s analysis underscores the importance of affordable education.