On July 3, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed the 2025–2027 Wisconsin State Budget. WAICU’s advocacy efforts demonstrate results across our five key policy priorities. Below is a summary of where our priority issues currently stand:

1. Wisconsin Grant–Private, Nonprofit
The Joint Committee on Finance approved a $5.86 million increase in Wisconsin Grant funding for students attending private, nonprofit institutions. This 10.3 percent increase over the biennium is the largest percentage gain in recent years and prevents what would have been a significant cut to individual awards in the 2025-2026 academic year had funding remained flat, given increased eligibility with the new Student Aid Index needs calculation. While the increase falls short of the doubling that WAICU requested, it is a meaningful step forward after years of minimal or no increases. The Wisconsin Grant remains our highest public policy priority, and we will continue to work toward further structural improvements and funding growth.

2. Veterans Grants
The Wisconsin Veterans Grant for Private, Nonprofit Students remains unchanged in the new budget. Our advocacy efforts helped preserve this important program, which provides up to $2,000 per semester for eligible veterans and their dependents, matched by the college or university. WAICU will continue to support and promote policies that expand opportunities for veteran students.

3. Teacher Shortage
WAICU is actively working with the Wisconsin Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and Wisconsin Independent Colleges for Teacher Education to address the teacher pipeline crisis. Conversations continue with partners and legislators to shape proposals aimed at improving recruitment, preparation, and retention. WAICU is also supporting efforts to improve and streamline the teacher preparation approval process. Progress is being made, but this remains an area of ongoing focus.

4. Dual Enrollment
WAICU continues to advocate for a more equitable and sustainable funding model for dual enrollment. While many of our institutions offer successful programs that provide high school students with early access to college coursework, the current funding structure serves as a disincentive for expansion of these important programs. The Midwest Higher Education Compact is supporting member states in their efforts to understand best practices in dual enrollment design nationally. Conversations with policymakers and higher education stakeholders are ongoing as we work toward long-term solutions on programs that are increasingly serving as a bridge from high school to higher education. With leadership from the Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee Chair, Rep. Dave Murphy, dual enrollment legislation will likely be introduced and considered this fall.

5. Healthcare Workforce
The Governor, in his biennial budget, proposed to expand the Nurse Educator Program to other professions, a proposal recommended by the Governor’s Task Force on the Healthcare Workforce. The WAICU Nursing Deans and Directors have been meeting since last fall and have expressed concern that this policy change would dilute the effectiveness of a program that has been successful at increasing nursing faculty at Wisconsin’s colleges and universities. At the same time some members of the Legislature proposed to greatly reduce the funding for the program. Due to the diligence of WAICU’s advocacy team that includes support from the Welch Group, a government relations consulting firm, the Wisconsin Nurse Educator Program remains unchanged in this budget cycle and will continue to be funded at $10 million over the biennium. WAICU will continue our work to elevate the role of our institutions in addressing the state’s healthcare workforce needs.

WAICU will continue to work on these policies and others that arise during the remainder of the 2025-2026 Legislative Session. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn in the spring of 2026 to prepare for the fall 2026 elections.

As always, thank you for your continued partnership and engagement. WAICU will provide additional updates as the legislative session progresses.

For more information, email WAICU Executive Vice President for External Relations Rebecca Larson.