Federation of Independent
Illinois Colleges & Universities
1123 South Second Street
Springfield, Illinois 62704
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| ISU President tell General Assembly MAP must be restored in October |
| Released: 8/14/2009 |
from The Southern
ISU president wants lawmakers to try again on MAP
BY MIKE RIOPELL, The Southern Springfield Bureau
Friday, August 14, 2009 4:11 PM CDT
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State University President Al Bowman said Friday he’s talked to key lawmakers about trying to find more money to help students afford school.
Students this year could receive grants through the popular Monetary Award Program to help pay for school. But budget cuts to the state’s biggest need-based grant program means students wouldn’t get any money in the spring semester.
Bowman said he’s asked lawmakers to take the issue up when they return to Springfield for a scheduled session in October. If the money for MAP grants is restored in the fall, students could get assistance when the new semester starts in January.
“The timing is critical,” Bowman said.
MAP grants go to about 155,000 college students in Illinois. A cut to the program was one of the many Gov. Pat Quinn made in the past months in an effort to deal with the state’s cash shortage.
Illinois Board of Higher Education spokesman Don Sevener said the idea of getting the MAP money back came up at the board’s meeting this week. But getting the money could be tough.
Quinn has spoken frequently about the idea of “shared sacrifice” and has cut spending from departments and agencies throughout the state. Getting an exception to those cuts could be difficult as lawmakers have so far balked at the idea of raising taxes to get the state more money.
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