Panel reviewing Wis. financial aid programs

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin's financial aid programs need more money and more clarity.

That was the message that a special legislative committee heard Tuesday as it started a review of Wisconsin's grant and loan programs for college students.

The committee, chaired by Rep. Joan Ballweg, is expected to make recommendations for changes after its study.

Wisconsin technical college system leaders told committee members they expected up to 30,000 eligible students to be denied state grants this year.

An official representing the state's private schools says their students have not received as much aid as their public school counterparts.

UW-Madison financial aid researcher Sara Goldrick-Rab says there is so much uncertainty around aid programs that students can't count on them.