[Oct. 14, 2009] VIDEO — The Illinois budget shortfall has left 2,600 Columbia students without expected funding from the Monetary Aid Program (MAP). True to Columbia form, they're taking a creative approach to the problem. Watch the video they made in just 24 hours.
Funding for the MAP program fell victim to cuts as the Illinois legislature slashed programs to curtail a huge state budget shortfall. About a quarter of Illinois students rely on MAP funding to help pay their tuition, and unless funding is restored, most colleges and universities in the state, both public and private, will face the possibility of thousands of students being forced to drop out or stop out. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission estimates Columbia College students who rely on MAP funding will lose an average of $1,940 each if funding is not restored.
Our students are not standing by and waiting for history to take its course. They're taking matters into their own hands, organizing a letter-writing campaign and trip to Springfield to lobby the legislature for reinstatement of MAP funds. The efforts are being spearheaded by the Student Government Association.
For more information and ways you can help, visit saveillinoismapgrants.org
UPDATE: Thursday, October 15
The Quincy Herald-Whig reports that Illinois lawmakers agreed late Wednesday to come up with the necessary $200 million to fund the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants for spring semester. But they had not yet figured out where to get the money.
According to the Herald-Whig, Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville, called MAP funding "the No. 1 priority" coming into the veto session.
A vote is expected today.
From NBCChicago.com: Students to Springfield: "Give Us Our Future Back"
Hundreds of students protest funding cuts to Monetary Award Program