Financial Resource Counseling

In addition to Mid-State's own financial resources for students in need, the College also provides financial resource counseling to current students. This counseling is here to help you access available resources in your communities to support your success!

Here are some of the ways we can help you succeed financially while enrolled at Mid-State:

  • Review your personal budget
  • Share ways to create a budget
  • Help you learn more about community resources
  • Review and help you understand your financial aid award

Meet with the Financial Resource Counselor

Prepare for Your Meeting

Prior to meeting with the financial resource counselor:

Community Resources

Looking for additional financial resources within your community? There are so many ways to weather difficult times or make life more affordable while you work to obtain your education. Explore these community resources for financial well-being, including tenant resources, healthcare resources, and more.

Agencies

These local agencies provide a wide variety of resources and assistance to support people in need. Income requirements may apply.

FSET

FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET) is a free program for recipients of FoodShare assistance. The program helps participants focus on identifying and achieving goals for education and employment.

Note: This program is for students in an academic program that is not financial aid eligible.

FSET website

Contacts:
Portage County FSET
Macie Wienke
715.345.5925

Wood County FSET
Kayla Pleshek
715.389.0257

CAP Services

CAP Services is a community action agency whose mission is to transform people and communities to advance social and economic justice.  A full list of resources can be found on the CAP Services website.

Skills Enhancement Program – This program assists working, low-income individuals obtain the skills needed to complete for living wage jobs.

Minimum requirements:

  • Work a minimum of 20 hours per week
  • Meet income eligibility requirements
  • Reside in Portage County

Contacts:
Jamie Potter
920.647.1002

Cassie Hytry
715.340.4000

Central Wisconsin Community Action Council, Inc.

The Central Wisconsin Community Action Council (CWCAC) is a community action agency whose mission is to transform people and communities to advance social and economic justice.

Minimum requirements to receive services:

  • Live in one of the following Wisconsin counties: Adams, Columbia, Dodge, Juneau, or Sauk
  • Meet income guidelines

Additional requirements per CWCAC program:

  • Enhanced Skills Program, for short-term certificate programs such as Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy, HVAC Technician, Welding, EMT, etc. – Must work a minimum of 20 hours per week
  • Nursing Skills Program, for individuals who are looking for careers in the medical field – Must complete course of study or training and be eligible to work in the profession by June 30, 2025

CWCAC Enhanced Skills Application
CWCAC Nursing Skills Application
CWCAC Website

Contact:
Sue Eck
608.254.8353

Forward Service Corporation

Forward Service Corporation (FSC) offers Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult Training. This program designed to help residents get the training and education to launch careers in local industries.

Income eligibility is based on household size being under the Federal Poverty Guidelines and Lower Living Standard Income Levels.

WIOA Application

FSC also offers the Dislocated Worker Program. This program is for a worker who has been laid off (or notified that a layoff is coming) through no fault of their own. Program goals are to help one prepare and find a suitable new job.

Contacts:
Portage County Residents
Nicole Stachurski
715.422.5011

Wood County Residents
John Peters
715.389.7023

More Information about the WIOA Adult & Dislocated Work Program


The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 promotes an increase in self-sufficient employment, job retention, and occupational skills.

  • Employment and training program: Financial assistance for education and training costs in approved fields of study.
  • Career services for participants: Job referrals, Job Center workshops, résumé assistance, interviewing skills, etc.

WIOA Clarifications

  • Does not provide emergency or temporary assistance. Instead, WIOA is a long term-program. Once enrolled, funding is provided throughout entire training program.
  • Funding for the WIOA Program is dependent on employment outcomes. Participants are required to stay in contact with Career Planner until self-sufficient employment is obtained and reported to the Career Planner.
  • Not an entitlement program. Must be determined a good fit for WIOA as well as income eligible and in a field that is in high demand (participants in training) to be considered for enrollment. Must also meet all pre-enrollment requirements.

Requirements

General Program Services:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • US citizen or eligible to work
  • Registered with Selective Service (men only)

Financial Assistance for Training:

  • Below income/not considered economically sufficient

Pre-Enrollment Requirements

All applicants in training are required to have following assessments to show a good fit for career choice and have the necessary academic and computer skills:

  • Career
  • Academic
  • Computer

Assessment types will be determined by your Career Planner.

Past assessments can be used if taken within the past six months.

Participants in Training:

  • Documentation of Labor Market Information (LMI) must show high demand field of study.
  • Program must be listed on the State’s Individual Training Account (ITA) approved list.
  • Most programs at the local technical colleges are ITA eligible.

WIOA Participant Requirements

  • Must maintain monthly contact with Career Planner.
  • Attendance forms will need to be completed and turned in monthly (sample handout provided).
  • Documentation of grades (GPA 2.5 or higher), current semester’s class schedule, tuition statement, book costs, financial aid award letter, etc.
  • Must notify Career Planner of any changes in schedule. If you need to drop from your training program, you are still enrolled in the WIOA program until self-sufficient employment is obtained and reported to Career Planner. Additional services would be available.
  • Copy of certificate/diploma earned upon completion are required for all participant files.
  • Job search begins automatically upon completion (or drop) of training program.
  • Must maintain monthly contact with Career Planner.
  • Provided with Job Search assistance services. Résumé writing, job referrals, employer contacts, interviewing skills, on-the-job training opportunity, etc.
  • After self-sufficient employment is obtained, you will be exited from the WIOAP program.
  • Required to provide the following information for one year after exiting: employer name, start date, job title, wage, and hours you're working.
  • Your Career Planner will contact you about once every quarter to collect this information.

Want to Learn More?

To learn more, fill out this request and a WIOA Career Planner will reach out to you.

UMOS/National Farmworker Job Program (NFJP)

The National Farmworker Job Program (NFJP) from UMOS supports any qualified farmworker or their dependents in pursuit of a short-term post-secondary degree, certification, or training.

Contact:
Brittany Schutten
414.840.8374

County Resource Guides

Explore services and resources in the following county guides:

Adams County Help Guide
South Wood County Help Guide

Budgeting

Download these personal budget templates to make the most of your financial resources:
Annual Budget (Excel)
Monthly Budget (PDF)

Portage County residents can also receive no-cost financial coaching through Financial Wellness of Portage County.

Contact:
Sherry Daniels
715.346.1316

Health/Medical

Contact Us!

Renae Guldan

Renae Guldan
Academic Advisor & Financial Resource Counselor
Schedule Appointment | 715.389.7015