Our View: Funding for MAP grants

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Decades ago, Illinois boasted of being on the leading edge of improving accessibility to college.

Today, the Monetary Award Program – a need-based grant – is $200 million in the red. As it stands, funding for the 2009-10 school year stops mid-year, meaning 138,000 students receiving MAP are receiving half their anticipated award.

An additional 130,000 students who were eligible, but who applied after May 15, received nothing.

The state House and Senate voted Thursday to give $205 million to the Monetary Award Program, which helps needy students pay for college. What they didn't do was name a funding source for that money; legislators left the task of funding this legislation up to the governor. And Gov. Quinn says his discretionary funding has been eaten up by other needs.

We have long advocated for a more responsible state government. The state simply cannot continue to spend money it does not have.

Of course, as Illinois tries to tackle its multibillion-dollar deficit, those facing cuts unequivocally assert that their services are essential. Clearly, some things are going to have to give, and if MAP funding must be trimmed, as egregious as that might be, then it must be trimmed.

But to stop funding it altogether – midstream of a school year, no less – is not only perverse, but it also is shortsighted. Few things hold as much promise for reversing economic malaise as do educational opportunities.

A more well-educated work force presumably leads to improved business viability, increasing decent job prospects, adding to the number of people paying more in income, retail and property taxes.

The domino effect of vastly narrowing educational opportunities is potentially ugly. Young people who lose hope tend not to be major contributors to society.

In DeKalb County, loss of MAP funding could lead to losses in housing, retail, grocery and other business if students do not return to school.

Although a post-secondary education is not a right, generating positive future outlooks for greater numbers of people enhances everyone’s quality of life.

We urge legislators to find a funding source for MAP funding, if not in total, then substantially, and to brainstorm methods of ensuring the program’s long-term sustainability.