SB 59 Wisconsin Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: tuition and fee remission for certain veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System or a technical college. (FE)

SB 59 expands Wisconsin's tuition assistance program to include veterans and their dependents attending private nonprofit colleges, not just University of Wisconsin System or technical college students. It creates a new grant program under Section 39.49, allowing eligible students enrolled in bachelor's or graduate programs at private institutions to receive tuition coverage (up to the amount charged) when maintaining a 2.0 GPA. The grant funds are paid directly to the private college to offset tuition costs, rather than to the student. This policy change specifically affects veterans and dependents seeking higher education at qualifying private institutions across Wisconsin.
Bill status failed 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 21, 2025 Last action Mar 23, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
12
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Amendments
2
Oct 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Report passage as amended recommended by Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges, Ayes 5, Noes 0
upper
Oct 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Report adoption of Senate Amendment 1 recommended by Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges, Ayes 5, Noes 0
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Introduced
Senate Amendment 1 offered by Senator Jacque
upper
Feb 21, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Senators Jacque and Tomczyk; cosponsored by Representatives Murphy, Maxey, Armstrong, Brill, Gundrum, Kreibich, Mursau, O'Connor, Sinicki, Wichgers and Tusler
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors