No budget doesn't stop student funding - Emilee Fannon, WCIA

College students are getting letters telling them they're getting a MAP Grant even though the program has no money. Colleges are still waiting to see those dollars because there's no state budget. Even though there's no money now, they're being accepted in anticipation that at some point, that money will be there. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission says it's hopeful lawmakers will appropriate funding for MAP Grant recipients sooner rather than later. The program distributes more than $350 million in grants to about 125,000 students each year. Many colleges and universities, including Illinois College and the University of Illinois, say they have agreed to cover this year's MAP Grant funds. Most students have until this spring to accept MAP Grant funds from a university or college. http://www.illinoishomepage.net/news/capitol-news/no-budget-doesnt-stop-student-funding