As eighth graders across the state are busily preparing for the end of the school year, I hope each of you will take some time to stop and think about your future.  Before you begin your summer job or your summer ball league, I encourage you to discuss with your families the upcoming school year and your plans for education after high school. 

I don’t want any young person thinking that college isn’t for them, that it’s only for rich people, or that because their parents didn’t go, they can’t go.  Whether you want to become a teacher or an engineer, or you plan to work in exciting new fields in biotech and health care, or even if you aren’t sure what job is right for you, a successful high school career will open up opportunities for higher education that will provide many future possibilities.

As Governor, I want to help you reach your highest potential.  That’s why we created the Wisconsin Covenant to help young people plan early for a successful high school career that will lead to higher education.  The Wisconsin Covenant is a simple set of expectations and promises between eighth grade students and institutions of higher education in Wisconsin.  By the fall of their freshman year of high school, students may sign the Covenant pledge and commit to reaching three goals: completing the classes they need to graduate and prepare for higher education, maintaining a “B” average, and being a good citizen. 

In return for keeping the Covenant pledge, each of the Wisconsin Covenant Scholars will earn a spot in either the University of Wisconsin System, the Wisconsin Technical College System, or at one of the state’s 20 private, nonprofit, and independent colleges.  In addition, we will hold up our end of the bargain to provide financial assistance to meet their family’s determined needs.  The Covenant message is clear: higher education is in the reach of every hard-working student in Wisconsin, regardless of financial circumstances. 

Last year was a tremendous year for the Wisconsin Covenant.  The hard work of teachers, parents, and students across the state resulted in over 17,000 eighth graders representing all 72 counties signing the Covenant Pledge.  The Wisconsin Covenant Foundation was also established to help qualifying students with the cost of higher education. Through the generosity of private donors to the Covenant Foundation, we were able to secure a $40 million endowment by the Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation.  In addition, we put the state on pace to triple the amount of financial aid available since I took office.   

Youth represent the future of Wisconsin, and every day I see the great potential of the aspiring young people across the state.  I want every young person to know that you have the opportunity to pursue your dream of higher education, and the Wisconsin Covenant is a plan to help you get there.  I hope all eighth graders will take the time to discuss their future with their families and consider signing the Covenant pledge.