Reilly upbeat on $175m Morgridge gift, future of student aid

In a presentation Thursday to the UW System Board of Regents, President Kevin P. Reilly discussed significant progress being made to increase student aid. He said nearly 2,000 UW students received $1.76 million in new need-based assistance from the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars (FFWS) during the Fall 2008 semester. The private, non-profit fund was established through a $175-million gift from John and Tashia Morgridge. (At UW-Green Bay the fall tally was 24 grant recipients receiving $42,000 and another 42 students receiving stipends totaling $30,980.) Additionally, Reilly said Congress is taking positive steps on Pell Grants and Stafford loans. Read more.