Program Description:
State pupil transportation aids are determined under the provisions of s. 121.58, Wis. Stats. The appropriation for reimbursement of transporting public and nonpublic school pupils, who are actually transported, is found in s. 20.255(2)(cr), Wis. Stats. School districts that furnish transportation to and from public and nonpublic schools are entitled to receive state aid at the following rates:
| Distance in Miles | Regular Year | Summer School |
| Less Than 2 Miles (hazardous area) | $15/pupil | -- |
| 2-5 miles | $35/pupil | $4/pupil |
| Over 5 up to 8 | $55/pupil | $6/pupil |
| Over 8 up to 12 | $110/pupil | $6/pupil |
| Over 12 | $220/pupil | $6/pupil |
Distances are measured from the pupil's residence to the school attended, following the shortest commonly traveled route. Half payment is made for pupils enrolled and actually transported less than 91 days (regular year) or less than 16 days (summer school). Pupil transportation aid for the current year is based on the number of children transported during the prior school year. The aid for 2011-2012 school year was calculated on a total of 531,832 children reported as eligible for aid reimbursement. Pupil transportation aid in 2011-2012 was calculated at 100.00 percent of eligibility because aid eligibility was less than the aid appropriation.
Who Receives Assistance: School Districts can receive this aid. Pupil transportation aid is based on student ridership in the previous year. School districts report ridership in the School Finance Reporting Portal .
Amount of Funds Available: The statewide dollar amount for pupil transportation aid is appropriated by the legislature. Aid eligibility for each district is determined based on riders from the previous year, times the flat amount per pupil in each distance category. The WUFAR chart of accounts requires that this revenue be recorded in Fund 10,Source 612. Payment date is the last Monday of January.
2011 WI Act 105 - Residual Balance of Allocation: Effective with the 2011-12 school year, any balance remaining after paying all claims for pupil transportation aid shall be apportioned among districts. This apportionment shall be based on each district's share of the total claims. For example, if a district's claim equals 0.5% of the total claims, the district shall receive 0.5% of any residual balance. Residual balance payments shall be paid in June.
2012-2013 Transportation Aid Payments as of January 3, 2013
2002-2012 Transportation Aid Eligibility District Listing
General Pupil Transportation Web site
Transportation Aid
Transportation Aid Worksheet - includes Regular, Summer, and Vocational
The Pupil Transportation (PI-1547) Renovation, May 2013 This document will guide the individual entering the ‘Regular School’ and/or ‘Vocational Programs’ data at the renovated Portal. The Portal will open on May 24, 2013 and it will close on June 28, 2013.
For more information, contact:
- Bruce Anderson 608-267-9707 or by Email: Bruce.Anderson@dpi.wi.gov