Southern Illinois University will cover MAP grants for students for the spring 2016 semester, according to Interim Chancellor Brad Colwell.
The state’s Monetary Awards Program, or MAP, provides grants based on financial need to Illinois students who study at approved colleges and universities within the state. SIU covered the costs of the grants in the fall semester anticipating reimbursement when the state budget is settled, and the university will do the same in the spring.
“MAP funding is often the difference that allows Illinois students to stay in school,” Colwell said. “The lack of a state budget shouldn’t drive students away from their education, so we are going to provide the funding again this spring with the strong hope that legislators will continue to support this important commitment as they resolve the state’s budget impasse.”
Colwell noted that the decision reflects the university’s commitment to students.
“More than 4,000 of our undergraduates rely on state-funded MAP grants each year,” he said. “Our goal is to help them stay in school, graduate and contribute to the future economic well-being of our region and state.”
