College is expensive. In Illinois, one way we have helped families and students afford college is through the Monetary Award Program (MAP). However, MAP grants haven’t kept up with the cost of college, putting a postsecondary education out of reach for many students, especially those from low-income households. This has been exacerbated by the impact of the COVID economic crisis, which has resulted in a steep drop in attendance at community colleges and among students from low-income households.

Illinois’ legislators are finalizing the next year’s state budget in the next few weeks. Urge your legislators to commit to appropriating an additional $122 million for MAP for FY 2023 as proposed in the governor’s budget request. This increase is a step in the right direction toward building Illinois’s workforce, strengthening our tax base, and helping students achieve their dreams on the way to a more sustainable economic recovery.