Illinois sets Sunday deadline for MAP cash

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois education officials have set a Sunday deadline for current and prospective college students to apply for the state's largest need-based college scholarship program.

The deadline applies to students hoping to receive tuition assistance in the 2011-12 school year. It is the earliest cutoff date for applications for Monetary Award Program grants.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission posted the new deadline on its website, but officials were unavailable for comment Friday.

Cheryl Shaffer of Heartland Community College in Normal tells the Pantagraph in Bloomington the deadline gives students little time to react, and could mean some may have to take out loans.

The state awards money from MAP to students on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.

About 130,000 Illinois students received grants for the current academic year.