State MAP grant program unavailable for colleges

The Monetary Assistance Program (MAP) Grant program, a financial aid program for Illinois residents who meet income eligibility requirements, is currently unavailable to all colleges and universities due to the budget stalemate in Springfield.

Sedgwick Harris, Vice President of Student Serves at Kishwaukee College, explained, “According to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, Monetary Award Program (MAP) dollars are dependent on state appropriations and paid directly to schools to cover tuition for students who have received an award. The Illinois General Assembly and the Governor must approve a State budget, which outlines how taxpayer dollars and other revenues are to be spent, before any money can be released for MAP grants. Without an approved budget, the disbursements of the MAP grant will be delayed for the start of the Fall 2015 semester.” The Fall semester begins at Kishwaukee College on August 24.

Students at Kishwaukee College who were notified that their 2015 – 16 financial aid packages included a MAP grant award are encouraged to attend an informational meeting to learn the impact of the state budget impasse on their financial aid and college plans for the 2015 – 16 academic year. The informational meetings will be held on the following dates and times: Tuesday, August 17, 6 – 7:00p.m.; Thursday, August 20, 4 – 5:00p.m.; and Saturday, August 22, 9 – 10:00a.m. All informational meetings will be held in Room C1121 in the Student Center.

Students unable to attend one of the meetings are encouraged to explore resources that can be found on the Illinois Student Assistance Commission at www.isac.org/students/during-college/budget-faqs.html. Harris expressed hope that Springfield will resolve the budget impasse quickly and soon. “While we cannot guarantee it, we are expecting that the State will pass a budget and that there will be funding for MAP,” he said. “Until that time, we are being proactive with our students to help them navigate through this financial dilemma in a way that allows them to maintain their plans to attend college and reach their future educational and career goals.”

The Student Financial Aid Office has notified affected students via Kishwaukee College email and through traditional mail. Kishwaukee College students with questions about their financial aid packages and MAP Grant, can attend an informational meeting.

For more information, call the Financial Aid Office at 815-825-2086, ext. 2240.