Education Grants Available for the Back to School Season

During your recent visit to the mall, the department store, the local boutique, or a chain store such as Wal-Mart, Shopko or Target, you may have noticed the sale advertisements for clothes, books, dorm furniture, backpacks, supplies, etc.  Yes, "Back to School" Season is upon us again as students of all ages prepare for classes to begin in just a few short weeks. 

For many folks, this can be a very exciting time of year as they look forward to reuniting with friends they have not seen all summer, making new friends, getting to know new teachers, professors, and having a routine schedule again.  Understandably, this time of year may also bring some anxiety upon students and their families as they try to determine how to pay for their education, especially at the post-secondary level.  Hopefully, I can help to alleviate some of those concerns by "educating" you on the grant programs available through the state of Wisconsin in offsetting the costs of higher education.

The State of Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB) oversees a number of financial aid programs available to qualified students.  The requirements that must be met in order to be eligible for one or more of the grants and loans available include:  being a legal resident of the state of Wisconsin; having a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent; and being enrolled in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at a non-profit college or university based in Wisconsin.  Students can apply for financial assistance through the HEAB by simply filling out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the same form used in applying for federal loans and grants.  Paper copies of the FAFSA form are available in most high school guidance offices and in college financial aid offices.  The FAFSA may be completed and submitted electronically by visiting www.fafsa.ed.gov. 

Once the FAFSA has been submitted and reviewed by the HEAB, a student may qualify for the Wisconsin Higher Education Grant, the Wisconsin Tuition Grant, the Talent Incentive Program Grant, or a number of other types of financial assistance based on financial need and which school the student will be attending.  Students and families interested in learning more about HEAB and the services available should visit http://heab.state.wi.us/programs.html, where they will find a list of FAQs, contact information, and a link with which to download a PDF brochure outlining each financial aid program. 

I hope this information will assist a number of students and families who are busy preparing for the upcoming school year, especially those most concerned with the impact their education may have on their household budgets.  An education is certainly among the biggest investments a person will make in their lifetime, and a worthwhile one at that.  I encourage folks to contact me if you still have any questions or concerns.  I am happy to provide any additional assistance needed for those looking to make their educational dreams a reality this fall. 

Rep. Samantha Kerkman takes questions from the Scouts in the Supreme Court Hearing Room.

St. Charles Girl Scout Troop Spends Day at the Capitol

The St. Charles Girl Scout Troop from Burlington recently spent a day at the Wisconsin State Capitol learning about how the state government works in order to earn a civic badge.  Troop members and their leaders met with State Representative Samantha Kerkman, a former Girl Scout herself, Justice Patience Roggensack of the State Supreme Court, and Lieutenant Governor Barbara Lawton.  The meetings with the government officials provided the Girl Scouts with the opportunity to ask questions and learn first-hand about each branch of the state government, which were represented by all three women.  Representative Kerkman, Justice Roggensack, and Lieutenant Governor Lawton shared their experiences as women working in public service and how they came to hold their current respective government positions.  They were all happy to meet with the Girl Scouts and thoroughly enjoyed their visit.