The Illinois MAP Grant

This petition is for those whole feel that cutting the Illinois MAP Grant for the Spring 2010 semester is unfair and should be stopped.

        With increasing tuition cost and the struggling economy, more students are qualifying for low-income grants. According to CollegeZone.com powered by the ISAC on September 26, 145,000 students in the state of Illinois, in need of financial aid have been awarded more then $380 million. During the college application process students take into account whether or not they can afford a school. Being able to get financial aid is a key factor in deciding on what school to attend. There are several different scholarships and grants you can apply for in the state of Illinois, one of them is the Monetary Award Program also known as the MAP Grant. In early September Hank Cornillie, a student at the University of Illinois and recipient of the MAP Grant spoke of how he was solely basing his college choice on financial aid.  The MAP Grant, which on average is $1,300 per semester, is given to students in need of financial aid. On September 16, 2009 Matt Spialek, President of the Illinois State University Student Government Association, stated that  the MAP grant is not being issued to 3,500 ISU students this spring of 2010.  On September 29th, Saveillinoismapgrants.org states that the Illinois Student Assistance Commission budget was cut in half from $440 million to $220 million. Collectively $4,550,000 is being taken away in just one semester at Illinois State alone. The application deadline for the MAP grant is being moved up from August 15th to May 15th shortening the time to apply. The demand for financial aid is at an all time high; assistance for college is needed now more than ever due to these slow economic times. This is why the MAP Grant should not be cut for the spring 2010 semester.