Federation of Illinois Independent Colleges and Universities

MAP cuts hurt today's students and tomorrow's leaders

Released: 9/18/2009

OUR VIEW: MAP cuts hurt today's students and tomorrow's leaders

Journal Gazette Times Courier

By the JG/T-C Editorial Board
editorial@jg-tc.com

Among the many agencies and residents being affected by recent state budget cuts are the thousands of college students who rely on financial assistance in order to attend.

State officials have cut the Monetary Award Program by 50 percent this school year. The program helps pay for college tuition costs and the funds are based on financial need.

Those who applied for MAP grants and were approved received 100 percent of their funds for this fall semester. However, they will receive no financial assistance for the spring semester.

That means that students currently attending Illinois colleges and universities, including Lake Land College and Eastern Illinois University, are left wondering how they will be able to afford it next semester.

At EIU, about 2,750 students (or 26 percent) benefit from the MAP program, with $10 million in state funding being sent to the campus each year. At LLC, 1,200 students receive assistance, with benefits totalling $1.3 million per year.

Many who receive MAP grants come from families with a yearly income of $20,000 or less. It is disheartening to think that some students will simply have to give up their dream of a college education because they won’t be able to afford it.

EIU and LLC officials aren’t sure yet what to expect come January. If the program funds are not met, both could see a decrease in the overall number of students. Some EIU students also may choose a less expensive education alternative by attending a community college like Lake Land.

But the negative effects of MAP grant cuts will last much longer than that. Two-thirds of students at LLC later transfer to EIU; however, fewer may make that choice if funding isn’t available to help.

Most agree that the best way to break the cycle of poverty is for low-income residents to become better educated and more qualified for top-level job opportunities.

However, fewer students attending college now will mean a less-educated work force in the years to come, a cycle that will affect communities and economic growth in the long term.

There are no easy answers. EIU and LLC officials already are looking at ways to help these students next semester. Gov. Pat Quinn has suggested a $1 per pack tax on cigarettes to help raise funds for the program.

With the state’s budget mess, it’s difficult to fault government leaders for making cuts to help bring the state’s finances back in line. But penalizing today’s students, and tomorrow’s leaders, seems to be the wrong solution for the economic well-being of the state’s future.

We urge lawmakers and state officials to reconsider MAP grant cuts, and we encourage local residents — and especially students — to make their voices heard by contacting their local representatives and senators.

— JG/T-C Editorial Board