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 Open Letter to the Benedictine University Community
How You Can Help Save Illinois MAP Grants
Severe budget cuts by the state legislature and governor will adversely affect almost 1,000 Benedictine University students who receive the MAP (Monetary Award Program) grant. MAP funding has been cut in half and all of the money appropriated was used for the fall semester. Unless the governor and the general assembly act in October, there will be no funds for MAP grants for the spring semester.
I urge the Benedictine University community to actively engage in advocating for full funding for MAP.
The Save Illinois MAP Grants campaign has launched a new Web site, www.saveillinoismapgrants.org, to serve as the overall hub for campaign-related activities. Not only will the site announce all scheduled events in which concerned citizens can participate, there are also resources available for use in calling, writing or visiting your legislators to encourage their pursuit and support of restoring funding for MAP.
If you don't tell your legislators that MAP is important, they won't act.
Here's how you can help:
- Call, e-mail or write your state representative and state senator to let them know how the state's proposed budget cuts will impact you and how important the MAP grant is to you and your Benedictine University education.
- Please share your concern about the reduced MAP funding with family, friends and other higher education advocates.
- Attend the Governor's Town Hall Meeting to save college scholarships on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at UIC Student Center West (828 S. Wolcott in Chicago).
If you have any questions or need any more information before taking action, please call the Office of Financial Aid at (630) 829-6100 or e-mail financialaid@ben.edu.
Sincerely,
William J. Carroll, Ph.D.
President, Benedictine University |
