10/18/09 Governor Quinn Signs Legislation to Save MAP Grants

CHICAGO October 18, 2009. Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to cover critical second-semester MAP funding for nearly 138,000 eligible students. Senate Bill 1180 appropriates full funding for the need-based student aid program, allowing both students and colleges to plan for the Spring 2010 college term.

I salute the General Assembly for their swift response to what could have been a serious setback to students across the state who rely on MAP funding for their education, said Governor Quinn. I look forward to continuing to work with the legislature to find revenue to support this critical program.

The Illinois Monetary Award Program is a need-based grant available through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). Budget cuts in the Spring 2009 legislative session severely limited student aid for the 2009-2010 academic year, causing approximately 138,000 MAP grant recipients to receive only 50 percent of their award, covering only the Fall 2009 school term. In addition, an estimated 130,000 eligible students, who applied in Illinois after May 15, would have received no MAP aid at all.

Over the past few months, Governor Quinn has participated in rallies with students, parents, teachers, administrators, lawmakers and other interested citizens across the state in the last few weeks to draw attention to the critical problem facing students who rely on MAP grants. Governor Quinn has addressed MAP rallies at Bradley University, Black Hawk Community College, John Wood Community College, University of Illinois at Champaign, SIU Carbondale, SIU Edwardsville, Northern Illinois University, University of Illinois at Chicago and in Springfield at the Illinois Education Association Center.

The legislation takes effect immediately.

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