Illinois State to Host MAP Hearing

Illinois State University will host a hearing for the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) Friday, Sept. 25, at 11 a.m. in the Bone Student Center Prairie Room.  The hearing will focus on the lack of funding for ISAC's Monetary Awards Program (MAP).

"Students, parents, community organizations and higher education leaders are welcome to participate in the meeting and provide public testimony," said President Al Bowman. "Illinois State student's faculty and staff members have been very engaged in the process to restore MAP funding, and the hearing is another step in this important effort." The hearing marks the third public forum of six scheduled events. Previously, the Commission heard testimony June 26 at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Sept. 18 at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

"This is one of the most important things students can do to be a part of the political process," said ISAC Executive Director Andrew Davis. "Since Commission meetings become part of public record, people need to come and have their voices heard.  Help us help you get funding restored for this important need-based financial aid program."

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission provides students of all ages and backgrounds with the resources and support to obtain financial aid for higher education. A state agency, ISAC has paved the path to post-secondary education with innovative programs for over 50 years. Last year alone, ISAC continued its mission to make college accessible and affordable for Illinois students by issuing 186,000 grants and scholarships totaling nearly $431 million.

The Commission provides educational funding with student loans, as a loan guarantor and via numerous public programs such as MAP, the Illinois Veteran Grant and the College Illinois!® 529 prepaid college tuition program. For further information about MAP grants and efforts to restore funding to the program, please visit the saveillinoismapgrants.org Web site.