The following email was sent to all students who have been awarded a MAP grant.

October 13, 2009

Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) Update #3

Dear Student and Family:

As a resident of Illinois and a student who has been awarded the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grant as part of your overall financial aid package at Illinois Institute of Technology, you may already be aware of the recent debate regarding the State of Illinois budget and the current state budget plan to reduce MAP funding. The fiscal year 2010 (FY2010) budget that was agreed upon by the governor and state legislators allows for one-half of the 2009-10 MAP award that was announced at start-up for eligible students. There are currently about 600 students at IIT who will receive MAP grant funding for Fall 2009.

YOU can make a difference!
Write, e-mail, call or visit your Illinois lawmakers in person!

Sign Save Illinois MAP Grants' petition and tell everyone you know to do their part in restoring adequate MAP funding!

Show Your Support for the Monetary Award Program (MAP)

• Attend a rally in Springfield.
  

  Student Rally
  Thursday, October 15, 2009
  12:30 pm at Illinois Education Association
  100 E. Edwards St. • Springfield, IL
  (Just south of the Capitol Complex)

  Please contact Ms. Jeanne Arens at jarens@iit.edu (AVP — Institutional Relations) to attend this event.

• Join an online community in support of the MAP.
  • "Save the MAP" Student Coalition (currently 2,500+ members)
  • Save Illinois MAP Grants.org (currently 6,500+ members)
• Contact your legislator.
  • Search for your legislator and send an email by going here.
• Encourage your family and friends to support the MAP Grant.
  • Send them an "Empty Seats" flyer (PDF).

IIT Remains Committed to You

On behalf of President Anderson and Provost Cramb, we want to assure you that Illinois Institute of Technology remains committed to making your education at IIT accessible and affordable. As a university, we are working with our representatives within the state of Illinois to advocate on behalf of IIT students — and students throughout the state — to ensure that extraordinary young men and women are provided access to the education that IIT has offered to students for nearly 125 years. We have known both good and challenging financial times throughout our history, and what has remained consistent has been IIT's commitment to providing a world-class education that is accessible to the next generation of architects, engineers, entrepreneurs, health professionals, scientists and many others.

Sincerely,

Gerald P. Doyle
Vice Provost
Undergraduate Admission and Financial Aid

P.S. Use the links found below to find your local legislators. Contact them directly to let them know how you feel about the reduction in MAP funding.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

About MAP
The Monetary Award Program (MAP) is the state's largest need-based aid program. About half of its recipients come from families with no resources to pay for college. Each year more than 150,000 Illinois students are able to attend private and public colleges and universities due to the state's provision of $380 million in MAP grants. Reducing these funds will force many students out of school, and many others will be scrambling to obtain high cost private loans in a very difficult credit market.

2009-10 MAP Awards

Important Message from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) to Students Regarding 2009-10 MAP Grant Funding (PDF): http://collegezone.com/media/V2_FY2010_MAP_Budget_Alert_Part_2.pdf

Find your legislator: http://www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/SelectSearchType.aspx?NavLink=1

Illinois Student Assistance Commission: http://www.collegezone.com/index.htm

Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges & Universities — Quick Email to Legislators Form: http://capwiz.com/naicu/il/issues/alert/?alertid=13574196&PROCESS=Take+Action