About Save Illinois MAP Grants

The mission of Save Illinois MAP Grants was originally 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 the 2010 fiscal year (2009-10 academic year). Concerned residents contacted their state representatives and urged them to make student financial aid a priority when allocating state resources.  The outcome was successful, and MAP grants were restored for the second half of the academic year.

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 awarded more than $400 million to approximately 145,000 college students who otherwise might not be able to afford college for the 2009-10 academic year. With rising tuition costs and record-high unemployment, more and more students are qualifying for need-based grants. Eligible applications were up by over 30 percent over last year’s record numbers, forcing the earliest-ever program suspense date of April 19, 2010.

ISAC projects the total number of MAP-eligible students will be 409,000 and estimates applications received after the April 19th suspense date from students who would have been eligible but are now denied due to the lack of funds will total 220,000, barring an influx of additional funds to the program.

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!