Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Local colleges brace for MAP grant cutbacks - Rebecca Susmarski, The Register-Mail

The lack of a state budget could impact low-income students this academic year, and colleges have begun planning for how to assuage the situation if that happens. The state has promised Illinois students funding for Monetary Award Program grants, but if the General Assembly doesn't pass a final budget this year, students may not receive that money. Only students with the greatest financial need qualify for MAP grants, which help cover tuition costs and do not need to be repaid. The faculties and students at Knox College, Monmouth College, Western Illinois University and Carl Sandburg College have felt the impact of uncertain MAP grant funding over the past two years. Karrie Heartlein, director of government and community relations at Knox College, said many Knox students who receive MAP grants have also taken out the "maximum loan amount," leaving them no other funding option if the MAP grants do not come in. http://www.galesburg.com/news/20170107/local-colleges-brace-for-map-grant-cutbacks