Map grants cut with little warning

I couldn't believe it when my MAP Grant for the Spring 2009 was dropped. I didn't know how to react. Since I've been paying tuition fees for last summer as well as for last spring on my own, I don't think I should cry out loud. At the same time though, much like other people, I do need that grant. I don't like the idea of struggling to make ends meet with the general cost of living and tuition fees. However, I am not the only victim. All of you who want or need the grant to pay for college probably were already surprised. The MAP Grant has been cut. And there's nothing you can do about it.

According to the Illinois Legislative Update, which is detailed on the Financial Aid official webpage, students currently eligible for Monetary Award Program (MAP) for the 2009-2010 school year will only receive aid for the current fall 2009 semester and nothing for spring 2010. Illinois Student Assistance Commission's (ISAC) state budget has been reduced a great extent.

The website states that because of deficits in the budget, the administration is left with less revenue for the 2009-10 academic year. This gradually affects the funds for many of the ISAC-administered need-based assistance programs. The General Assembly, which has authority for funds management, brought the issue to the attention of the Governor, who contributed, but in the form of lump sump amounts that were given to the various student financial aid agencies, including ISAC. Due to this settlement, for 2009-10 ISAC-administered need-based assistance programs, a total sum of $220 million has been allocated to ISAC gift assistance program. This resulting split of the amount allocated has fallen short when it comes to the division of money for spring 2010 term. Whereas MAP eligible students will not get any financial assistance for spring, the Silas Purnell Illinois Incentive for Access (IIA) eligible students will only be able to get their $250 registration fee paid through the program. This will possibly affect the Illinois National Guard (ING) program too. The Illinois Veteran Grant (IVG) program will remain unaffected.

The Financial Aid office is currently sending excuse letters to the students. Though the financial aid office has strict policies regarding both undergraduate and graduate students' academic performances. Undergraduate students must maintain a grade point average (G.P.A) of at least 2.0 with 67 percent completion of the credit hours in which they enroll, while graduate students must maintain a 3.00 G.P.A. with same credit hour completion rate. Failure to maintain these standards could result in termination of financial assistance, after which student has to reinstate.

Despite these strict policies, financial aid often fails to pay full tuition fees, mostly for the summer terms, and students are left out with the not-so-beneficial option of the Stafford Loan, which, in my opinion, must be avoided if possible. There are going to be deadlines to pay it off. Moreover, your credit score could be at severe risk. Talking about termination of the aid & grants doesn't make sense for the student who is and has already paid huge fees on his/her own, despite good academic standing.

It is not the students' fault that financial aid and responsible agencies fell short of funds. Necessary measures should have been taken by the administration and agencies instead of apologizing for the 'inconvenience.' Even just an earlier warning to this possibility would've been a good choice. At least it would've given people more time to come up with an emergency plan.