Post by title1parent on Sept 27, 2009 5:53:29 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1792453,2_1_AU27_MAPGRANTS_S1-090927.article
Much support, little funding for college MAP grants
State budget crisis cuts cash for needy students
September 27, 2009
By PAUL DAILING pdailing@scn1.com
Although she's the second-youngest of nine siblings, 20-year-old Aurora University sophomore Mayra Magana is the first person in her family to go to college.
She doesn't want to be the last.
Both of Magana's parents lost their jobs, and Magana isn't getting enough hours at the shoe store where she works. And now the Monetary Award Program money she gets from the state as an at-need student is endangered due to budget wrangling in Springfield.
"I really don't know what I would do because I really rely on this money," Magana said.
In response to the state budget crisis, lawmakers cut $200 million from the Monetary Award Program, or MAP. This essentially halved the program, causing 150,000 applicants to be denied for this school year. And the 137,000 students who are still getting MAP money won't see another dime come January.
"For me, I really don't have the resources as far as any way to pay out of pocket for my tuition," said AU honors program senior Deanna Childress, 21, a double major in psychology and sociology with a minor in international studies.
Gov. Pat Quinn spoke Friday at Northern Illinois University, calling for MAP finding. On the GOP side, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, has also called out for MAP. But there is little consensus on where to get the money.
"Everyone's supportive of the concept," NIU President John Peters said during a Thursday meeting before The Beacon-News editorial board.
One idea supported by Cross and others is offering a "tax amnesty," allowing tax delinquents a chance to pay what they owe with no penalty. Quinn supports a cigarette tax, but staffers said the governor would be open to other ideas.
The MAP program started in the 1970s. At-need Illinois students can take the money to any college in Illinois -- public, community or private.
In a statewide budget crisis where funding for everything from jail guard paychecks to domestic abuse counseling is being slashed, educators like Peters are trying to push a message that MAP repercussions aren't just for the current crop of students.
With college graduates making an average $700,000 more over a lifetime than they would otherwise, the economic fallout could be severe, Aurora University President Rebecca Sherrick said during the editorial board meeting.
"If we don't address this, we're creating a permanent funding crisis in the state of Illinois that will perpetuate itself over generations," Sherrick said. "No cuts are good, but this will be a pain that will multiply itself over time."
For AU sophomore and MAP recipient Candi Esquina, 19, the desire to keep MAP is much simpler and more personal.
"I want to continue my college education. I want to be someone successful in life," she said.
Much support, little funding for college MAP grants
State budget crisis cuts cash for needy students
September 27, 2009
By PAUL DAILING pdailing@scn1.com
Although she's the second-youngest of nine siblings, 20-year-old Aurora University sophomore Mayra Magana is the first person in her family to go to college.
She doesn't want to be the last.
Both of Magana's parents lost their jobs, and Magana isn't getting enough hours at the shoe store where she works. And now the Monetary Award Program money she gets from the state as an at-need student is endangered due to budget wrangling in Springfield.
"I really don't know what I would do because I really rely on this money," Magana said.
In response to the state budget crisis, lawmakers cut $200 million from the Monetary Award Program, or MAP. This essentially halved the program, causing 150,000 applicants to be denied for this school year. And the 137,000 students who are still getting MAP money won't see another dime come January.
"For me, I really don't have the resources as far as any way to pay out of pocket for my tuition," said AU honors program senior Deanna Childress, 21, a double major in psychology and sociology with a minor in international studies.
Gov. Pat Quinn spoke Friday at Northern Illinois University, calling for MAP finding. On the GOP side, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, has also called out for MAP. But there is little consensus on where to get the money.
"Everyone's supportive of the concept," NIU President John Peters said during a Thursday meeting before The Beacon-News editorial board.
One idea supported by Cross and others is offering a "tax amnesty," allowing tax delinquents a chance to pay what they owe with no penalty. Quinn supports a cigarette tax, but staffers said the governor would be open to other ideas.
The MAP program started in the 1970s. At-need Illinois students can take the money to any college in Illinois -- public, community or private.
In a statewide budget crisis where funding for everything from jail guard paychecks to domestic abuse counseling is being slashed, educators like Peters are trying to push a message that MAP repercussions aren't just for the current crop of students.
With college graduates making an average $700,000 more over a lifetime than they would otherwise, the economic fallout could be severe, Aurora University President Rebecca Sherrick said during the editorial board meeting.
"If we don't address this, we're creating a permanent funding crisis in the state of Illinois that will perpetuate itself over generations," Sherrick said. "No cuts are good, but this will be a pain that will multiply itself over time."
For AU sophomore and MAP recipient Candi Esquina, 19, the desire to keep MAP is much simpler and more personal.
"I want to continue my college education. I want to be someone successful in life," she said.