UW System President Raymond Cross
The University of Wisconsin System President is hoping to provide students more financial aid during the next two-year budget cycle.
Ray Cross made his comments on a blog post Monday, saying the number of students needing financial aid is high. “Seven out of ten students attending the University of Wisconsin receive some form of financial aid. Seven out of ten. Think about the impact that has on the population of the whole state of Wisconsin. That’s a sizable impact.”
Cross plans to ask the Board of Regents to advance a two-year proposal increasing financial aid for UW System students to the State of Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board. If granted, this additional funding would increase the state’s commitment to public higher education financial aid for the first time since 2010-11. Cross didn’t give specific numbers.
Cross says the system remains focused on reducing the net cost of college, and that they are committed to looking at every component to help keep student debt loads down. This includes a close examination of fees and other campus-driven costs. “Students are almost always appreciative of any effort we make to make higher education more accessible and more affordable. Affordability has to be an anchor, a foundational point for a public university.”
Cross and other UW System leaders will meet with the Board of Regents Thursday.
WSAU