The mission of Save Illinois MAP Grants is to rally public support from students, parents, and educators to urge state lawmakers to take immediate action and fully fund the state’s Monetary Award Program (MAP) for the rest of this fiscal year. The target is the General Assembly’s veto session, which takes place during October 14-16 and October 28-30. Concerned residents should contact their state representatives and urge them to make student financial aid a priority when allocating state resources.

Administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) as part of its mission to make college accessible and affordable for all Illinois students, the need-based grant program has awarded more than $380 million each year to approximately 145,000 college students who otherwise might not be able to afford college. With rising tuition costs and record-high unemployment, more and more students are qualifying for low-income grants. Applications were up by 22 percent while eligible applications increased by 29 percent, forcing the earliest-ever program suspense date of May 15.

Despite the growing need, student aid funding for ISAC was cut in half, from a proposed $440 million to $220 million, resulting in a nearly $200 million cut in MAP aid. These cuts severely limited ISAC’s aid capacity for the 2009-2010 academic year, causing approximately 138,000 MAP grant recipients to receive only 50 percent of their award. Plus, an estimated 130,000 eligible students who applied after May 15 will receive no MAP aid at all. Available funds are now being distributed for fall term tuition and mandatory fees. However, without quick action by the General Assembly and the Governor, no monies will be available after January 1, 2010.

You can be part of the solution. Let your elected officials know they need to do whatever it takes to ensure MAP is properly funded now and in the future!