The state still owes millions to the Monetary Award Program for low income college students. That aid has been caught up in the budget impasse. Lawmakers have filed several plans to fund MAP grants, but Governor Bruce Rauner's proposed budget would cut higher education funding by more than 30%.
State Senator Bill Cunningham, a Democrat from Chicago, says students banked on the state paying part of their tuition.
"They went out and took other loans, and put themselves at further financial risk based on a promise that the State of Illinois made to them to fund part of their costs with MAP grants. We are now pulling that promise away."
MAP grants are based on financial need, and can range up to $5,000 per year. More than 125-thousand students are in the MAP program this year. Many schools are allowing MAP students to enroll for the spring semester, but the students could be on the hook to pay if the money doesn’t come through.
