Eligibility
School Districts can claim funds annually based on the number of students who meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Certifications earned were on the approved graduating year Certifications List for the year in which they were earned.
- Students graduated with a regular high school diploma or a technical education high school diploma from the district that submits the claim.
- Funding is limited to $1,000 per pupil regardless of the number certifications the student earned on the approved list, but the amount is pro-rated based on the total number of claims approved for pay.
Resources
2025-26 Approved Certifications List
Training & Resources - Click on the blue button near the top of this page to find guidance on document preparation, claim submission, best practices, and more.
Industry and Occupational Shortage List - By statute, this annual list must "identify industries and occupations within this state that face workforce shortages or shortages of adequately trained, entry-level workers."
Class of 2024 Claims
- The Class of 2024 claims submission window is now closed.
- The review process is expected to be completed in May 2025.
- Student Award Money
- Students completing an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, or Fire Inspector certificate will receive $500 for EACH eligible certification according to Wis. State Stats. §106.273.
- The student completion award (SCA) claim process has been streamlined into a single claim made by the school/district for the district incentive grant and the student completion award. The school/district must provide the student's permanent mailing address to which the completion award (if eligible) will be mailed in approximately June 2025.
- Checks for eligible completion awards will be mailed directly to the students at the addresses provided. Returned checks will be sent an additional time. If returned a second time, the money will be returned to the fund. If a district becomes aware that a student's permanent address has changed between the time that the claim was submitted and the following June, they should contact DETCTEGrants@dwd.wisconsin.gov to update the address.
Class of 2023 District Incentive Grants and Student Completion Awards
- DWD/DPI received a total of 13,125 claims from 339 school districts. 11,209 claims were approved for pay, resulting in a prorated allocation of $713.71 per student out of a total of $8 million available.
- In addition, 158 graduates received $500 for each Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, or Fire Inspector, certificate earned.
- Class of 2023 payments have been distributed to school districts. Please note that these CTE District Incentive Grants are not considered cost reimbursement grants; therefore, funds do not need to be spent by the end of fiscal year 2024, nor do claims need to be made to DPI for spending.
- Class of 2023 District Incentive Grant Summary by district
- 2023 summary by approved certifications earned
Contact
Questions regarding the Incentive Grant contact:
DWD CTE Program Lead
Incentive Grant email
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
Division of Employment and Training
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Incentive Grants Program