EMS Tuition Reimbursement (2025 Wisconsin Act 35)

What Is 2025 Wisconsin Act 35?

2025 Wisconsin Act 35 creates 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.

WEMSA participated in a clarification meeting with HEAB on December 8, 2025 to get answers to the most common questions about how the program will work. The information below reflects what was confirmed at that meeting. Some details (noted where applicable) are still being finalized by HEAB.

Applications are expected to open in Fall 2026. This page will be updated as additional program details are confirmed.

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 certification or 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, programs must have been completed on or after October 22, 2025. There is no retroactive coverage for programs 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. How volunteer EMS agencies specifically fit into this definition is still being clarified by HEAB.

What About Residents Attending Out-of-District or Out-of-State?

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

What Costs Are Reimbursable?

Tuition

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

Materials (Only If Required by the Program)

Materials are eligible if they are formally required by the EMS program and itemized in the college's materials fees. 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

The eligibility of the following fees has not yet been fully confirmed by HEAB. Watch for updates as program details are finalized:

• 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

HEAB has not yet confirmed whether there will be a cap on these fees or a published list of approved exams.

What Is NOT Reimbursable

HEAB has confirmed the following cost categories will be explicitly excluded. Students and employers should plan accordingly:

• 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. Paramedic).

How Does Reimbursement Work?

Who Gets Reimbursed

Reimbursement goes to whoever paid the cost. If an employer paid tuition and a student paid for materials out of pocket, both can apply for reimbursement for their respective costs. Each party submits their own separate 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. The treatment of student loans is still being determined by HEAB.

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.
• 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 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 goes directly to the individual.

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 expected to open in Fall 2026.
• 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 approximately one year of program completion. The exact triggering date (program completion vs. date of licensure) is still being defined by HEAB.
• Multi-term programs: For programs that span multiple semesters, such as Paramedic programs, whether reimbursement occurs after full program completion and licensure or per term is still being determined by HEAB.
• Incomplete programs: If a student does not successfully complete the program or does not obtain certification or licensure, whether any costs are reimbursable is still being determined by HEAB.
• 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 within the timeframe 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?

Based on HEAB's confirmed guidance, applicants should expect to submit:

• Proof of program completion
• Proof of Wisconsin EMS certification or licensure (EMR certification or EMT/AEMT/Paramedic licensure)
• Itemized college billing statement
• Proof of payment (from the student or employer, depending on who is applying)

HEAB will rely on documentation submitted by the applicant. Direct data verification with DHS or the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) is not expected. Employer verification forms are not expected to be required.

Application Platform

Whether HEAB will build a dedicated EMS reimbursement portal or integrate applications into an existing system is still being determined. Watch the HEAB website for updates.

Batch Applications from Employers

Whether employers will be able to submit batch applications covering multiple students at once or will need to submit individual applications per student is still being determined by HEAB.

Appeals

HEAB has confirmed a formal appeals process will be established for denied applications or documentation issues. Details are still being developed.

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

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

Possibly. HEAB confirmed the student does not need to be employed by the sponsoring entity. What matters is that a Wisconsin-based employer paid the cost. How volunteer agencies specifically fit into the employer definition is still being clarified by HEAB.

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.

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

Only if the participant completes a full initial EMS program and becomes licensed as a result. The bridge pathway itself does not automatically qualify. The participant must complete an initial program and obtain licensure.

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.

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 training, they can apply regardless of whether the student is their employee.

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

No. HEAB has confirmed 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.

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

This is still being finalized by HEAB. Given the program's focus on initial licensure, costs from incomplete or failed programs are unlikely to be reimbursable, but the formal policy has not yet been confirmed.

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

Yes. HEAB has confirmed a formal appeals process will be established for denied applications or documentation corrections. Details are still being developed.

Can I apply if I am self-employed?

HEAB clarified that the student does not need to be employed by the entity paying for training. Whether a self-employed individual can sponsor their own training under this program is still being clarified.

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.

Still Have Questions?

WEMSA is actively engaged with HEAB as program details are finalized. For questions, contact WEMSA at wemsa@wisconsinems.com. You can also monitor the HEAB website directly for application portal announcements and published guidance documents.