ISU covers MAP grants this Spring, IWU and Heartland are not

Posted on January 11, 2016

By Joe Ragusa

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois State University is going to cover MAP grants for nearly 4,000 students this Spring, but other college students in Bloomington-Normal may have to come up with that money themselves unless a state budget is passed soon.

Illinois Wesleyan University has not committed to covering MAP grants in the Spring for about 400 students that qualify. IWU Vice President Matt Kurz said all the university and its students can do is plead with state lawmakers to pass a budget.

“We’re working with local legislators. We’re encouraging our students to contact their state representatives, contact the governor’s office and let them know how important those funds are,” Kurz said. “The students who receive MAP grants are generally high-need students.”

Kurz said the university will work with students and won’t kick anyone out because they aren’t able to cover their MAP grant.

Heartland Community College spokeswoman Becky Gropp said the college will not be covering MAP grants for about 280 students this Spring until the legislature passes a budget.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

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