Innovative Ideas for Need-Based Aid in Wisconsin

November 17, 2009
University of Wisconsin–Madison

Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St
Vandeberg Auditorium
Room 121


8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. Auditorium Lobby	Check-in & Morning Refreshments
8:45 a.m. Auditorium Room 121	Welcome Rebecca Martin, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs University of Wisconsin System Carolyn "Biddy" Martin, Chancellor University of Wisconsin–Madison
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Auditorium Room 121	Panel Discussion and Q&A "The Current Landscape of Financial Aid in Wisconsin" Amy Bechtum, Director Office of the Wisconsin Covenant Molly Dillman, State Coordinator KnowHow2Go Wisconsin Mary Gulbrandsen, Executive Director Fund for Wisconsin Scholars Connie Hutchinson, Executive Secretary Higher Educational Aids Board, State of Wisconsin Kevin Ingram, Director Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Program/Office of Urban Education Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Amy Kerwin, Chief Guaranty Officer Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation The day's first panel will consist of prominent stakeholders in Wisconsin's need-based financial aid system. Panel members will discuss the current landscape of need-based aid throughout the state and the pressing issues surrounding it.
10:30 a.m. Auditorium Lobby	Break
10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Auditorium Room 121	Presentations and Q&A "Challenges Facing Postsecondary Enrollment, Financial Aid, and Workforce Development in Wisconsin" Introductory Remarks Julie Underwood, Dean School of Education, University of Wisconsin–Madison "Workforce Effects on Wisconsin's Economy" Dennis Winters, Chief Economist, Office of Economic Advisors Department of Workforce Development, State of Wisconsin "Simplifying the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) through Tax Preparation" John Hoffmire, Director Center on Business and Poverty, University of Wisconsin–Madison This session will include two presentations outlining major challenges in Wisconsin and the role of higher education and financial aid in addressing them. Dennis Winters' presentation focuses on workforce development needs and John Hoffmire will discuss the importance of FAFSA completion among underrepresented students and others with financial need.
11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Pyle Center AT&T Lounge	Lunch
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Room 121 Auditorium	Panel Discussion and Q&A "Promising Examples from Outside Wisconsin" John Klacik, Director of Student Financial Assistance Higher Education Coordinating Board, State of Washington Wayne Sparks, Former Director Financial Aid and Scholarships, Washington State University-Pullman The day's second panel will be comprised of higher education stakeholders from Washington state, who will discuss successful programs and need-based aid initiatives, giving forum participants new ideas that may help inform the way Wisconsin moves forward.
2:00 p.m. Auditorium Lobby	Break
2:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Pyle Center, 2nd Floor	Group Work Sessions The remainder of the afternoon will be dedicated to several break-out sessions—and an online chat session for those participating remotely—in which participants will work in small groups to develop new ideas and policy recommendations for need-based aid in Wisconsin.
4:00 p.m. Alumni Lounge	Adjourning Comments and Evening Reception Noel Radomski, Director WISCAPE, University of Wisconsin–Madison