Springfield, Illinois – Illinois State Senator Martin A. Sandoval (D-Chicago) spoke at a rally today at the Illinois Education Association attended by over 2,500 college students encouraging the Governor to restore MAP grant funding.

“There are currently over 145,000 students receiving MAP grants on an annual basis throughout the State of Illinois,” Senator Sandoval said.  “I want to ensure that students are able to afford to stay in school.  We need to increase the funds available for MAP grants today!”

MAP grants are given to eligible students who are Illinois residents attending MAP approved institutions of higher education.  Recipients are Illinois college students who cannot afford college tuition on their own. 

In addition, the amount awarded to each recipient is determined by the applicant’s financial need, which is determined by the family’s financial contribution and the student’s contribution.  Furthermore, students must have at least a 2.0 GPA and be working towards an undergraduate degree. 

“By cutting MAP grants the state has turned its back on college students, the very people we need to train now to maintain the future stability of the state,” Senator Sandoval said.  “The dollars exist to fully fund MAP grants, the Governor just needs to allocate the available funds.”

Legislation passed by the Illinois Senate and the House of Representatives today will give the Governor spending authority to allocate the additional $205 million needed to cover the costs of providing these grants for the remainder of fiscal year 2010.