State budget woes make college aid scarce

Illinois college students will have a harder time securing financial aid this year, but officials at one suburban school say that shouldn't stop students from trying.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the agency that runs the state's Monetary Award Program, said Thursday that as many as 130,000 students will be denied state financial aid for the 2009-2010 school year because of budget woes.

Andrew Davis, executive director of the commission, said his agency received half the money it expected to in the state budget - roughly $220 million instead of $440 million.

That drop in funds, combined with unprecedented demand for aid, has made it impossible for the commission to approve all aid applications, Davis said.

"It's an awful situation," he said. "In addition to the 130,000 students who won't receive any grants, there will be another 130,000 to 150,000 who get money for the fall, but not the spring."

The MAP program awards financial aid grants to Illinois students based on need. Students can take the money and use it at all public colleges and universities in the state, as well as most private ones.

Earl Dowling, director of student financial aid at Harper College in Palatine, said that while aid might be harder to get, students shouldn't assume that none is available.

Federal aid programs, including the Pell Grant Program, are alive and well, Dowling said. Students might also be eligible to receive scholarships or other aid from their particular schools.

"My concern is that when people read a headline that shouts 'denied,' they'll figure that there's no money out there, and that's just not true," Dowling said.

Dowling said students unsure about their financial aid options should do one thing first: Talk to a professional.

"Go to the financial aid office on your college campus," he said. "They'll be able to work through everything for you. Remember, we want people to be able to attend school on our campuses."

Davis, meanwhile, called on Illinois lawmakers to do whatever's necessary to free up additional funding for students in need.

"This doesn't have to be a lost cause," he said.