130,000 Illinois college students denied financial aid - DAVE NEWBART, Chicago Sun Times

The state will deny the financial aid applications of an estimated 130,000 students -- the most in Illinois history. They were denied because they applied for state aid after May 15, a cutoff months earlier than in years past, thanks to Springfield's budget woes. Hardest hit? Students at community colleges and returning adult students, because they tend to apply for aid later. What's more, under the state budget compromise reached earlier this month, which slashed funding for the state's Monetary Award Program in half, no student at any Illinois school will receive aid for the second half of the 2009-2010 school year.