GREEN BAY, WI -- Governor Walker is backing a series of proposals aiming to make college more affordable.
The legislation includes a proposal that would eliminate any cap on tax deductible student loan interest, and increase need-based grants to the state's technical colleges.
On Northwest Wisconsin Technical College campus this year, there's a push to reach more working adults "who are in the workforce right now, and perhaps are thinking about ways that they can improve their skills," says Vice President of college advancement, Karen Smits.
For many within NWTC's diverse student population, Smits says juggling the cost of college with the cost of living is all but impossible. Too many people delay, or avoid higher education altogether, because of the cost.
In response, Smits says NWTC is offering eligible students a relatively small grant.
"We have got what we call a student emergency fund," says Smits, "one that does not need to be repaid, but can help a student say, 'you know what? Now I can get my car fixed, and I can finish out the semester."
Smits says any boost to emergency and need-based grant programs would be welcome by technical colleges.
But others, like Democratic State Senator Dave Hansen, say the proposals fall short.
"We can do better," says Sen. Hansen. "We can do much better than what the Governor is proposing," he adds, calling Gov. Walker's backing "political grandstanding."
Sen. Hansen says real debt relief would come from the opportunity to refinance student loans.
"At $200,000 at 8 percent, that's 16 grand a year," says Sen. Hansen. "If you cut it in half, they'd only be paying $8,000. Just think of the money that you'd be putting back into the economy."
They're measures that Democrats say they're still fighting for.
The legislation also includes efforts to increase internships, and require state universities to provide financial literacy courses to students within their first semester.
State lawmakers are planning to debate the financial aid proposals within the next two months.
