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MAP Grant funding remains unapproved by state

The Monetary Award Program has been providing financial aid to Illinois college students for 50 years, but budget funding for the 2015-16 Illinois MAP award is currently being delayed.

Both political parties support the grant, and each Republican and Democratic proposed budgets recognize the value of the MAP program. However, the delay of funding comes as a consequence to the Illinois state budget not being approved.

According to Brad McMillan, executive director of the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service, receiving the grant can help a diverse group of students attend a college of their choice they would otherwise not be able to attend.

The problem runs deeper than just the MAP grant not being funded. State pensions have also become harder to fund as the budget impasse continues. Public universities in the state are also finding it more difficult to function as their funds are not being supplied.

The state of Illinois normally approves the state budget, including MAP grant funding, by July 1. McMillan said this delay in funding affects 125,000 students throughout the state of Illinois who qualify to receive the award, including about 1,000 students on Bradley’s campus.

The Illinois state House and Senate passed legislation Monday, Jan. 25 to fund over 128,000 MAP grants, according to an article published by NBC Chicago. The bill passed house and Senate and waits to either be approved into law or vetoed by Illinois governor Bruce Rauner.

According to University Spokesperson Rene Charles, Bradley will continue to financially support students with the MAP grant at least through this semester without state funds.

McMillan said personal outreach to state legislators can make an impact on getting the MAP grant funded.

“We are encouraging our students to reach out to elected officials,” McMillan said.

A similar situation regarding MAP funding occurred in 2009. McMillan said that a group of about 50 Bradley students traveled to Springfield to rally in support of the MAP grant. Bradley’s students joined over 5,000 other Illinois college students to advocate for the grant’s funding and their efforts in Springfield resulted in the MAP funding being restored.

“Bradley University students have played a leadership role in the past on advocating for the importance of the MAP scholarship program,” McMillan said. “We are just trying to continue that this year until the money gets funded.”

McMillan said he is hopeful personal outreach and student involvement on the matter will have the positive impact it has had in the past.

“We want students to understand that their voices are extremely important,” McMillan said.

For questions regarding personal outreach to state legislators, students can contact McMillan can be contacted at bmcmillan@bradley.edu.

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