EMS Tuition Reimbursement (2025 Wisconsin Act 35)

What Is 2025 Wisconsin Act 35?

2025 Wisconsin Act 35 created a new state reimbursement program for initial EMS education costs, covering tuition and required materials for EMS training programs completed through Wisconsin Technical Colleges. The program is administered by the Higher Education Aids Board (HEAB) and is intended to reduce financial barriers to entering the EMS workforce in Wisconsin.

Act 35 was the #1 Legislative Priority of the Wisconsin EMS Association in the 2025-2026 legislative session and we are excited to have this program implemented. WEMSA has collaborated with HEAB to discuss potential scenarios, questions, and obtain answers to the most common questions about how this reimbursement program will work.

Applications officially opened September 2026! This page will be updated as additional program details are determined. Details, rulings, or eligibility rules may change at any time, please reach out to HEAB directly for final determination.

Who Qualifies?

Students

• The student must be a Wisconsin resident. Non-residents are not eligible, even if they are attending a Wisconsin Technical College.
• The program must be completed at a Wisconsin Technical College. On-campus, online, and hybrid formats are all eligible equally.
• Coverage is for initial EMR certification or EMS licensure only, once per credential level (EMR, EMT, AEMT, Paramedic).
  • A person can receive reimbursement for each level they initially complete, but cannot receive reimbursement for the same level twice.
• Refresher courses, CEUs, and recertification courses are not eligible.
• To qualify, initial certification or licensure must have been completed on or after October 22, 2025. There is no retroactive coverage for certification or licensure completed before that date.

Employers

• Any Wisconsin-based employer that paid for a student's EMS training may apply. This is not limited to EMS agencies. Hospitals, manufacturers, school districts, and other Wisconsin employers all qualify.
• The student does not need to be employed by the sponsoring employer. What matters is that the employer is a Wisconsin-based company that paid the cost.
• Out-of-state employers are not eligible, even if the training occurs at a Wisconsin Technical College.
• Self-employed individuals and volunteers: because the individual does not need to be employed by the sponsoring employer, the "employer" in this program simply means any Wisconsin employer that paid the eligible expense.

What About Residents Attending Out-of-District?

If a Wisconsin resident pays out-of-district rates at a Wisconsin Technical College, reimbursement is based on the amount actually charged with no cap tied to in-district rates. The student must be a Wisconsin resident.

What Costs Are Reimbursable?

Tuition

Base tuition charged by the Wisconsin Technical College is eligible. Other program fees, testing fees, materials are covered only if they are formally defined by the college as part of required program materials.

Materials (Only If Required by the Program)

Materials are eligible if they are formally required by the EMS program or required for state certification or licensure and itemized. Examples of potentially eligible materials include:

• Printed textbooks, e-books, and online access codes
• Workbooks and skills manuals
• Online software and test prep resources related to initial education
• EMS drug guides and protocol manuals
• Uniforms, boots, and jackets
• Required clinical equipment (stethoscopes, BP cuffs, penlights)
• ID badges and name tags
• PPE purchased by the student for clinicals
• Clinical onboarding costs such as background checks, drug screens, immunizations, titers, TB tests, and physical exams, if required for clinical placement

Testing and Licensure Fees

Testing fees that are required for state certification or licensure are covered as "materials" costs. These may include:

• National Registry (NREMT) cognitive and psychomotor exam fees
  • (NREMT is required for initial EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic licensure)
• Wisconsin state licensure application fees
• Pearson VUE testing fees, if applicable

What Is NOT Reimbursable

The following cost categories will are not eligible for reimbursement. Students and employers should plan accordingly:

• Laptops
• Travel
• Lodging
• Meals
• Childcare
• Lost wages

Reimbursement Caps

There is no per-student, per-program, or lifetime cap on reimbursement. There are no different maximum amounts based on credential level (EMR vs. EMT vs. AEMT vs. Paramedic).

How Does Reimbursement Work?

Who Gets Reimbursed

Reimbursement may be provided to whomever paid the eligible expense. If the employer paid tuition and a student paid for materials out of pocket, both can apply for reimbursement for their respective costs. Each party must submit their own separate application.

One-Time Disclosure

All tuition and materials costs related to completing the program must be disclosed at the time of award and disbursement. This program will not reimburse new education expenses incurred after your initial reimbursement, so applicants should include all eligible costs in their original application.

Net Cost Basis

Reimbursement is based on net cost, meaning the amount actually paid after other financial aid has been applied. Pell Grants, Wisconsin Grants, scholarships, employer tuition assistance, the GI Bill, and similar aid all reduce the eligible reimbursable amount.

If the Student uses student loans to pay for their program, the student loan servicer will be reimbursed to ensure that the loans are paid back.

Interaction with Other HEAB Programs

Receiving EMS reimbursement from HEAB will not affect a student's eligibility for other HEAB-administered programs, as long as the reimbursement does not cover the same courses already covered by another HEAB program.

How Employers Are Reimbursed

• Employers must provide proof of payment such as invoices or receipts demonstrating they paid the cost directly.
• Reimbursement will be issued by check.
• Reimbursement will be issued to the employer.
• The student does not need to be currently employed by the employer at the time of application. There are no clawback or continued-employment requirements on HEAB's end if a student leaves the organization after certification or licensure.

How Students Are Reimbursed

• Students must provide documentation showing how they personally paid their costs, such as receipts, billing statements, or financial aid summaries.
• Reimbursement will be issued by check.
• Reimbursement will be issued to the student.

Split Payment Scenarios

If an employer paid tuition and the student paid for books and materials separately, both parties can submit for reimbursement for their respective costs using two separate applications tied to the same student and program. HEAB will use proof of payment to prevent duplicate reimbursement for the same expense and to ensure no more than 100% of eligible costs are reimbursed in total.

When Can You Apply?

• Program Launch: Applications are OPEN NOW through the state's GLASS portal.
• Rolling Applications: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, not in fixed cycles.
• Eligible Programs: Must be completed on or after October 22, 2025. There is no retroactive coverage.
• Application Window: Applicants must apply within one year of program completion.
• Multi-term Programs: For programs that span multiple semesters, such as Paramedic programs, whether reimbursement will only occur after full program completion and licensure is issued.
• Incomplete Programs: If a student does not successfully complete the program or does not obtain certification or licensure, these normally eligible costs are not reimbursable. 
• Funding and priority: Awards are first-come, first-served as long as funding is available. There is no pro-rating and no priority categories based on geography, volunteer status, or rural designation. Applications submitted and approved within the time-frame will be considered into the next fiscal year as long as funding exists.
• Processing time: Plan for a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks for HEAB to process a complete application.

What Documentation Will Be Required?

Applicants apply directly to HEAB through the GLASS portal. Once you've started your application, email the following documents to cassie.weisensel@wisconsin.gov:

• Copy of license
• Proof of program completion (transcript from the college attended)
• Copy of tuition bill
• Copy of materials costs/ receipts
• Proof of payment

Application Platform

Applications go through the state's GLASS (Grants, Loans, and Scholarship System) portal. Approved applications are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Batch Applications from Employers

Employers will need to submit individual applications for each student that they are requesting reimbursement for.

Appeals/ Application Corrections

For appeals or application corrections, applicants should reach out to HEAB directly at: cassie.weisensel@wisconsin.gov.

Reporting and Program Data

HEAB has confirmed the following data will be collected and reported in aggregate:

• Number of students funded by credential level (EMR, EMT, AEMT, Paramedic)
• Geographic distribution by zip code or county
• Employer vs. individual reimbursement breakdowns

Demographic or individual workforce outcome data will not be collected. HEAB has committed to making aggregate program data available to stakeholders including WEMSA, DHS, and WTCS to support workforce development tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can a volunteer EMS agency apply as the employer if they paid for a member's training?

Yes. The student does not need to be employed by the sponsoring entity. What matters is that the Wisconsin-based employer paid the cost and the cost is an eligible expense under the program.

2. Can someone get reimbursed for more than one credential level?

Yes. Reimbursement is available once per credential level. Someone who completes initial EMT training and later completes initial Paramedic training can apply for reimbursement for each program. They cannot receive reimbursement for the same level twice.

3. Are bridge programs eligible (e.g., RN-to-Paramedic)?

Bridge programs are subject to HEAB's approval, given that the program is an initial licensure program completed at an eligible Wisconsin Technical College and the program qualifies towards EMS licensure.

4. What if the student used financial aid, a scholarship, or a grant?

Reimbursement is based on net cost after other aid is applied. Scholarships and grants reduce the eligible reimbursable amount. The treatment of student loans is still being determined by HEAB.

5. Can an employer be reimbursed even if the student does not work for them?

Yes. The student does not need to be employed by the sponsoring employer. If a Wisconsin-based employer paid the cost of eligible training, they can apply regardless of whether the student is their employee.

6. Is there any clawback if an employee leaves shortly after getting licensed?

No. There are no clawback or continued-employment requirements. Any arrangement requiring a student to stay with an employer after licensure is a private matter between the employer and the individual, not a condition of the HEAB reimbursement.

7. What if the student doesn't finish the program or doesn't get licensed?

If a student does not successfully complete the program or does not obtain certification or licensure, these normally eligible costs would not reimbursable. 

8. Will there be an appeals process if my application is denied?

For appeals or application corrections, applicants should reach out to HEAB directly at: cassie.weisensel@wisconsin.gov.

9. Can I apply if I am self-employed?

The student does not need to be employed by the employer paying for the program. Students can self-pay for their program and be eligible for reimbursement.

10. Will this affect my eligibility for other HEAB programs?

No, as long as the EMS reimbursement does not cover the same courses already covered under another HEAB-administered program.

11. Is the reimbursement going to be counted as income?

No, reimbursement should not be counted as income.

12. If my EMS agency uses Funding Assistance Program (FAP) funding to pay for tuition or materials, is that eligible for reimbursement?

Funding Assistance Program (FAP) funds may be used for eligible EMS education and training expenditures, including qualifying tuition and educational materials. FAP represents governmental financial assistance provided for authorized EMS purposes, including emergency medical training. So, yes it would be allowable. 

Accordingly, where reimbursement eligibility is based upon the underlying eligible educational expenditure rather than the specific governmental revenue source used by the EMS agency to initially satisfy that expenditure, the use of FAP funds does not, by itself, render the expense ineligible for reimbursement. This is consistent with the treatment of other governmental revenues appropriated or allocated to an EMS agency: the relevant consideration is whether the expenditure itself satisfies the reimbursement program's eligibility requirements, rather than whether the agency initially paid the expense from FAP, municipal appropriations, county appropriations, or another permissible governmental funding source.

Therefore, provided the tuition or educational materials constitute an otherwise eligible reimbursable expense and there is no specific prohibition against reimbursement of expenditures supported by FAP, the expense would remain eligible for reimbursement.

Still Have Questions?

WEMSA is actively engaged with HEAB as the program gets implemented.

For general questions, contact WEMSA at wemsa@wisconsinems.com.

For questions about your specific application or required documents, contact Cassie Weisensel at HEAB: cassie.weisensel@wisconsin.gov.