Budget mess depletes Map program funding
Thursday, October 08, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.
Read more: Local, State, Economy, Politics, Business, Education, Community
QUINCY, ILL. -- Continuing your education can be a challenging task with all the studying, but add paying for tuition, books and housing, and things get a little more challenging.
That's where the Monetary Award Program or Map comes in handy for students in Illinois. But that program may not be available next semester because of the state budget. We found out how that will affect students. 2,800 students at Western Illinois University in Macomb depend on MAP, without funding students will lose $1,800 per semester.
The program helps about 474 students at John Wood Community College. Students there will lose around $800 each semester.
At Quincy University, 450 students stand to lose Map funding, that equates to a little more than $2,000 for each student.
The program affects the Blessing-Rieman school of nursing too. 64 students will loose about $2,000. Students pleaded to Governor Quinn and state lawmakers to restore funding, otherwise they'll have no choice but to drop out of school.
"I think we have to make sure everyone understands how vital this is to a growing economy. If we don't have people that can invent new products, start new businesses, working tough complex assignment on the job, then we will not have a strong economy," Governor Quinn said when asked how he will convince the General Assembly to save Map funding.
"A cigarette tax, another one would be closing loopholes in the state tax code. Another one would be taking a look at revenues from income taxes. Whatever it takes, we need to make sure we make this investment. You don't want to squeeze a nickel and lose a half dollar," the Governor added.
Students plan to rally next Thursday at the State capitol. You can visit www.saveillinoismapgrants.org for more information.
State lawmakers are back in session next Wednesday.
