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Two bills could benefit Wisconsin’s Farm & Industry Short Course

Some of Wisconsin’s Farm and Industry Short Course students would qualify for student financial aid under a new proposal being considered by state lawmakers.

State Senator Joan Ballweg tells Brownfield she introduced legislation to modernize student financial aid programs, including the Wisconsin Grant program to help more students. “If you are less than a half-time student getting a degree or a certificate, you could be eligible for financial aid.”

And, Ballweg says that includes the Farm and Industry Short Course. “With this new program, with the Short Course, that is a certificate program. Part of my bill says that any student who is financially eligible and going to Short Course will be eligible for financial aid.”

Ballweg says it’s important to help more students expand their education so they can fill jobs in many fields including agriculture.

Ballweg says a separate bill to provide operational funding for the Farm and Industry Short Course at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls has passed the Senate Agriculture and Tourism Committee and awaits a full Senate vote and action in the State Assembly.

Audio: Senator Joan Ballweg discusses student aid and funding for the Farm and Industry Short Course at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.