Trinity offers MAP grant funding to its eligible Illinois students
Deerfield, Ill. - Trinity International University will fund Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants for eligible incoming and returning Trinity College students if the financial aid program remains unfunded into the 2016-17 academic year.
Trinity College students must continue to initiate the MAP grant application process with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, which administers the award program. All ISAC requirements and deadlines must be met in order to qualify for funding from Trinity.
Because of a budget standoff in Springfield, the state of Illinois has not provided colleges and universities with reimbursement for MAP grants that students accepted in good faith at the start of the current academic year. Many institutions, including Trinity, deducted the award amounts from student bills, expecting the usual reimbursement from the state in December.
The state of Illinois has been operating without a budget since last July. The ongoing budget crisis creates uncertainty for Illinois students about future funding for the MAP grant.
The award, up to $4,720 per academic year, sometimes drives final decisions on college attendance for students from low-income families.
"We don't want anyone to turn away from a Trinity education because of this unique and difficult situation," Executive Director for Student Services Rachael Russiaky said. "If necessary, we will fund MAP grants in the upcoming academic year, just as we did this year."
Under terms of the program, students submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to establish financial need. Since 1967, MAP grants have been made to full-time, incoming Illinois undergraduates without regard to high school grades or test scores.
Unlike student loans, MAP grants are not repaid.
"MAP grants have been a blessing for many of our students," President David S. Dockery said. "Our pledge is to remove the doubt families have right now about receiving those needed funds in the upcoming academic year."