WHY SHOULD I CARE?
Because college graduates generally earn more, have greater financial resources, and are more likely to be employed, they make fewer demands for needs such as unemployment compensation and healthcare. They will contribute far more in taxes—80 percent more, according to a report by the College Board—over their lifetime than those without a college education.
Comparing Minnesota to Wisconsin shows that education fuels economic growth. Wisconsin ranks 26th in the country in the percentage of its population with a 4-year college degree and 26th in per capita income. Minnesota ranks 11th in the percentage of its population with a 4-year college degree and 11th in per capita income**. Wisconsin ranks 27th of the 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico in per capita grant aid provided to in-state students, while Minnesota is in 13th place***.
Sign the petition to Wisconsin’s Governor and legislators. Tell them that state student financial aid should be a priority in the state budget, because investment in student aid is an investment in everyone’s future—that’s the Power of Financial Aid.
**U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2010 ACS 1-year estimates, U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, SA04 State Income and Employment Summary, 2010
***Source: National Association of State Student Grant & Aid Programs, 42nd Annual Survey Report on State-Sponsored Student Financial Aid