On July 15, 2009, the Governor and state legislators reached an agreeement regarding the fiscal year 2010 (FY2010) state budget. Absent new revenues and facing a substantial state budget deficit, budget cuts have been made. Consequently, the amount ISAC receives to fund the MAP grant, has been significantly reduced. Based on the FY2010 budget, the 2009-10 MAP award you thought you were going to receive has been reduced. The actual amount of MAP dollars paid to your school will be half of what you expected, with the available dollars going toward fall term (i.e., the full first-term award will be paid). No funds will be available to pay spring term awards.

The Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant is a grant awarded by the state of Illinois, through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), to undergraduate Illinois students. The grant covers tuition and mandatory fees only, up to a maximum award each year. Freshman & Sophomore Students can receive MAP for up to 75 Attempted Credit Hours. Junior & Senior Students can receive MAP for up to 135 Attempted Credit Hours. A bachelor's degree requires a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit. A MAP grant does not have to be repaid.

The student must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year he or she plans to attend. (See full instructions under Federal Pell Grant.) Certain identified items relating to Illinois residency must be completed on the FAFSA in order to be considered for Illinois grants.

The student and family data on the FAFSA are forwarded to the State of Illinois and inserted into a state formula that determines student eligibility for MAP. Independent students must have lived continuously in Illinois for a year prior to the start of the academic year in question. The parent whose information is provided on the FAFSA for a Dependent student must be an Illinois resident. The student must be an undergraduate student attending an Illinois MAP-approved school. Students who have been chosen to complete the verification process (through which information on the FAFSA is verified as accurate by the Financial Aid Office) must complete the verification process before any federal or state financial aid is processed.

The state formula determines if the student can be eligible for MAP. The state also determines which semesters the student is eligible for (based upon the FAFSA processing deadline dates) and whether the student's need level allows a full or partial MAP grant. The University must then check residency status, satisfactory progress, and other eligibility criteria. If the student meets all the eligibility criteria and has not already reached the limit of MAP paid credit hours allowed, he/she is selected as a MAP recipient.

Whether or not a student receives a full or partial award is determined by the state formula. The full award pays an ISAC-approved amount towards tuition and mandatory fees for enrollment in 3-15 credit hours. The student will be paid on a prorated basis depending on the number of enrolled credit hours. The award will be leased on 15 credit hours per semester. A student enrolled in 5 credit hours will be paid 5/15 of the award. If a student drops out of a class before the end of the term, the MAP grant may pay for only a portion of the tuition and fees.