Chapter HEA 15

HEA 15.05(3) (3) Eligibility for the grant awards ceases if:

HEA 15.05(3)(a) (a) The scholar does not maintain acceptable academic standards as prescribed by the student’s institution of higher education; or

HEA 15.05(3)(b) (b) The scholar does not file an updated Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually; or

HEA 15.05(3)(c) (c) The student does not enroll in accordance with s. HEA 15.04 (2); or

HEA 15.05(3)(d) (d) The scholar is convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor.

HEA 15.05 History History: CR 10-027: cr. Register September 2010 No. 657, eff. 10-1-10; correction in (3) (c) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2011 No. 671.

HEA 15.06 HEA 15.06 Terms of grants.

HEA 15.06(1) (1) Eligible institutions shall enter into a five-year contract with the board using the established financial aid distribution process. Annual program funds for the Wisconsin Covenant Scholars grant program shall be allocated through these contracts for a period of five academic years following the high school graduation of each class of Wisconsin Covenant Scholars.

HEA 15.06(2) (2) Grant amounts shall be determined by the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) calculated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) based on the following designations. Scholars shall receive the full grant amounts listed below regardless of the scholars’ unmet need except in case where awarding the full amount conflicts with federal laws related to over-awarding in the financial aid process. In that instance, the grant may be reduced in order to comply with federal law.

HEA 15.06(2)(a) (a) For students attending an eligible institution full time:

HEA 15.06(2)(a)1. 1. Scholars with an EFC of $0 shall receive $1,000 annual grant for the first two years of postsecondary education. For the second two years of postsecondary education, the office shall develop and submit to the board a formula for awarding grants for the upcoming academic years to scholars enrolled in an eligible institution. The formula shall account for expected parental and student contributions and shall be consistent with generally accepted definitions and nationally approved needs analysis methodology.

HEA 15.06(2)(a)1.a. a. This award amount assumes that the Wisconsin Covenant Foundation shall continue to grant $1,500 annually for the first two years of postsecondary education for students with an EFC of $0.

HEA 15.06(2)(a)1.b. b. If the Wisconsin Covenant Foundation does not award at least $1,500 annually for the first two years of postsecondary education, then students with a $0 EFC shall receive $1,500 annually rather than $1,000 for the first two years of postsecondary education.

HEA 15.06(2)(a)2. 2. Scholars with an EFC of $1 to $3,499 shall receive $1,500 annual grant for the first two years of postsecondary education. For the second two years of postsecondary education, the office shall develop and submit to the board a formula for awarding grants for the upcoming academic years to scholars enrolled in an eligible institution.

HEA 15.06(2)(a)3. 3. Scholars with an EFC of $3,500 to $11,999 shall receive $1,000 annual grant for the first two years of postsecondary education. For the second two years of postsecondary education, the office shall develop and submit to the board a formula for awarding grants for the upcoming academic years to scholars enrolled in an eligible institution.

HEA 15.06(2)(a)4. 4. Scholars with an EFC of $12,000 or greater shall receive $250 annual grant for the first two years of postsecondary education. For the second two years of postsecondary education, the office shall develop and submit to the board a formula for awarding grants for the upcoming academic years to scholars enrolled in an eligible institution.

HEA 15.06(2)(b) (b) For students attending an eligible institution half time:

HEA 15.06(2)(b)1. 1. Scholars with an EFC of $0 to $3,499 shall receive $750 annual grant for the first two years of postsecondary education. For the second two years of postsecondary education, the office shall develop and submit to the board a formula for awarding grants for the upcoming academic years to scholars enrolled in an eligible institution.

HEA 15.06(2)(b)2. 2. Scholars with an EFC of $3,500 to $11,999 shall receive $500 annual grant for the first two years of postsecondary education. For the second two years of postsecondary education, the office shall develop and submit to the board a formula for awarding grants for the upcoming academic years to scholars enrolled in an institution.

HEA 15.06(2)(b)3. 3. Scholars with an EFC of $12,000 or greater shall receive $125 annual grant for the first two years of postsecondary education. For the second two years of postsecondary education, the office shall develop and submit to the board a formula for awarding grants for the upcoming academic years to scholars enrolled in an eligible institution.

HEA 15.06 History History: CR 10-027: cr. Register September 2010 No. 657, eff. 10-1-10.

HEA 15.07 HEA 15.07 High school responsibilities. On or before January 31 of each year, the office shall provide to each high school principal or principal’s designee a list of students who are eligible for verification in that year. By April 5 of each year, each high school principal or principal’s designee is required to provide a list of students who completed the pledge and have been certified by the Office of the Wisconsin Covenant verification form, as well as those students who did not present a form for verification.

HEA 15.07 Note Note: The Office of the Wisconsin Covenant verification form shall be available at the office website www.wisconsincovenant.wi.gov or by writing to HEAB, Office of the Wisconsin Covenant, PO Box 7885, Madison, WI 53707-7885. An updated form shall be available no later than November 1 of each year.

HEA 15.07 History History: CR 10-027: cr. Register September 2010 No. 657, eff. 10-1-10.

HEA 15.08 HEA 15.08 Institutional and partner responsibilities.

HEA 15.08(1) (1) Each eligible institution shall ensure that the Wisconsin Covenant Scholars grant does not replace other need-based federal, state, or institutional grant assistance in the package of financial aid offered to the scholar by the institution.

HEA 15.08(2) (2) Funds shall be returned to the board, using the board’s established Return of Funds policy s. HEA 1.07 for scholars who withdraw, drop out or fail to enroll.

HEA 15.08(3) (3) To help make the Wisconsin Covenant a reality for Wisconsin students and their families, the University of Wisconsin System, the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Wisconsin Technical College System, and the Department of Public Instruction shall work together to ensure:

HEA 15.08(3)(a) (a) There is a place for each scholar in higher education. The respective systems shall work to prioritize the entrance of the Covenant Scholars into their systems and identify a place for each scholar in the higher education system of their choice.

HEA 15.08(3)(b) (b) Scholars can access available financial resources including but not limited to scholarships, grants, loans, and work that will put higher education within reach for each scholar.

HEA 15.08(3)(c) (c) Support for the scholars in middle and high school to help them achieve their goals through the continuation, expansion, or establishment of pre-college programming, mentoring, tutoring, and other local supports.

HEA 15.08(4) (4) The University of Wisconsin System, the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Wisconsin Technical College System, and the Department of Public Instruction shall report annually to the office detailing the nature of support the system is providing for the scholars as well the outcomes of this support. The office shall work in conjunction with the reporting agencies regarding the annual goals of the report and substance of the report.

HEA 15.08 History History: CR 10-027: cr. Register September 2010 No. 657, eff. 10-1-10.

HEA 15.09 HEA 15.09 Wisconsin Covenant College Access Network Council.

HEA 15.09(1) (1) Pursuant to s. 16.257, Stats., the office shall establish a Wisconsin Covenant College Access Network Council charged with coordinating statewide college access programs and organizations in an effort to minimize duplication of effort and maximize student pursuit of postsecondary education.

HEA 15.09 Note Note: Section 16.257, Stats., was repealed by 2011 Wis. Act 32.

HEA 15.09(2) (2) The members of this council shall include:

HEA 15.09(2)(a) (a) Director, Office of the Wisconsin Covenant;

HEA 15.09 Note Note: The Office of the Wisconsin Covenant was eliminated by 2011 Wis. Act 32.

HEA 15.09(2)(b) (b) President, University of Wisconsin System;

HEA 15.09(2)(c) (c) President, Wisconsin Technical College System;

HEA 15.09(2)(d) (d) President, Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities;

HEA 15.09(2)(e) (e) Superintendent, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction;

HEA 15.09(2)(f) (f) Executive Secretary, Higher Education Aids Board.

HEA 15.09(3) (3) In addition, the council shall appoint associate members representing each of the following:

HEA 15.09(3)(a) (a) A non-profit organization with significant college access programming; and

HEA 15.09(3)(b) (b) A non-profit organization that provides significant funding for college access programming; and

HEA 15.09(3)(c) (c) A representative from the business community.

HEA 15.09 History History: CR 10-027: cr. Register September 2010 No. 657, eff. 10-1-10; renumbering of (2) and (3) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register September 2010 No. 657.

HEA 15.10 HEA 15.10 Reporting system. The reporting system contemplated by s. 39.437 (5) (a), Stats., is established under s. HEA 1.02 and administered by the board. The board shall share this information on an annual basis with the office.

HEA 15.10 History History: CR 10-027: cr. Register September 2010 No. 657, eff. 10-1-10.