Greenville College Encourages Students to Respond to State Budget Cuts
Published: April 13, 2021
Greenville College is taking action to amplify the voices of students, parents, faculty and staff who are concerned about the state's investment in higher education. The current state budget contains a 50 percent cut to the Monetary Award Program which provides need-based financial assistance to Illinois college students.
"The MAP Grant helps more than 400 of our students each year and many more across the State of Illinois. We're encouraging all of our students - whether they receive the MAP grant or not - to contact their representatives in Springfield. If the MAP grants are not funded in the spring, it will affect the entire Greenville College community, so we all must act. This is a great opportunity for our students to get involved in the political process and make sure their voices are heard," said Michael Ritter, assistant vice president for enrollment.
College officials outlined several steps to inform the public and convince legislators of the importance of MAP grants. Campus-wide call-in days, e-mail campaigns, and an informational meeting are among the events planned. Greenville College students will also join students from across the state at a rally in Springfield on Oct. 15.
One-third of Greenville College students rely on MAP grants to fund their education. Students will be forced to find an alternative to anticipated MAP funding for the spring semester unless the governor and General Assembly act to fund the MAP grant during October's veto sessions.
More than 137,000 Illinois students were awarded MAP grants for the 2009-2010 academic year. About 47 percent of MAP grant recipients come from families with an annual household income of less than $20,000; another 30 percent come from families with an annual household income of $20,000 to $40,000.
MAP grants are only given to Illinois residents who attend Illinois colleges and universities. These grants produce well-educated workers who will pay taxes and improve the economic future of the state of Illinois. MAP grants also reduce the disparity in education attainment between students who can afford college and those who cannot. To ensure MAP funding is restored, Illinois residents are encouraged to contact their legislators. Unless the governor and General Assembly act in October, there will be no MAP funding for the second half of the academic year.
Visit www.saveillinoismapgrants.org to learn more about how to get involved.
Greenville College - MAP Action Plan
- September 22: Send e-mails to students and parents who currently receive the MAP Grant. Make sure they are aware of the situation and provide direction for those who would like to contact legislatures.
- September 23: Send e-mails to all students, faculty, staff and Parents' Cabinet members with information about MAP grants and the state budget. Encourage Illinois residents to write or contact their representatives.
- September 25: Post information on the college website and social media sites to inform the public of the need for MAP grants, describe how the state's decision will impact Greenville College, and outline what can be done to influence the governor and the General Assembly.
- September 30 at 6:30pm in LaDue Auditorium: Host a meeting open to all students where they can ask questions about the process and learn how to get involved. Representatives from the financial aid office will be present in case students want to make an appointment to discuss their specific situation.
- October 2: Contact Greenville College alumni about MAP grants and encourage Illinois residents to write or contact their representatives.
- October 13 & October 27: On the days before the state veto sessions, the college will encourage everyone to participate in a MAP call-in day to flood state representatives with calls from their constituents about the importance of funding MAP grants.
- October 15: Students will participate in a state-wide rally in Springfield to bring further attention to the MAP Grant issue. Information about the rally is available at www.saveillinoismapgrants.org.
