What many people don’t realize is that Wisconsin is a major innovator when it comes to education. A century ago, it created what the country would call “The Wisconsin Idea.” We now call it the state college system. Wisconsin still leads the way regarding grants and other forms of financial aid to its residents.

For example, Wisconsin understands that most college students still can’t afford an advanced education with only the Pell Grant. As such, it specifically admits its basic Higher Education Grant is meant to be additional assistance for the Pell Grant. It also does come with a restriction though, and that is it can only be applied to state universities, vocational schools and tribal colleges. Still, with a ceiling of $3,000, it can go a long way towards paying the college bills.

At the same time, the Badger state also has its share of independent and private universities and similar institutions of higher learning, so the state also offers the Wisconsin Tuition Grant. Its ceiling varies from year to year, but at minimum it awards $250.

Many students have probably heard of the Horatio P. Alger grant. This national program student awards up to $5,000 to applicants who not only demonstrate good grades and exceptional citizenship, but also came from severely difficult backgrounds. Wisconsin created its own state version of the plan, the Talent Incentive Program. In 2010, it added an additional $1,800 to help local students coming from such backgrounds.

Minority students can also look into the Wisconsin Minority Retention Grant. This provides African-American, Latin-American or others of minority decent access to an additional $2,500 annually to their tuition. They must supply proof of their racial origin as well as their academic transcript to qualify. It also can only be used at a state-approved college or vocational school.

American Indians have a further grant they can apply for besides the Retention Grant; this is the Indian Student Assistance Program. To apply, a student must be able to prove their heritage is at least one quarter Native American, as well as their high school transcript and a FAFSA form. As long as they go to an in-state school, it will add as much as an additional $1,000 to the entire tuition package.

The state also offers assistance to the blind or hearing challenged students. The Wisconsin Hearing and Visually Handicapped Grant will also cover $250 to $1,800 to any Wisconsin student–both for an in or out of the state college–as long as he/she can prove his/her physical condition. Of course, the applicant must also be in good academic standing and provide a FAFSA form. Most importantly, it can be used by both undergraduate and post-graduate students and considers any tech needed to help in one’s studies applicable.