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Community colleges say they can’t sustain their MAP grant subsidies

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Illinois

Community colleges will no longer be able to foot the bill for [MAP grant] scholarships the state promised to low-income students if lawmakers don’t reach a budget agreement before the start of the fall semester.

“Each semester as they have to make budget cuts, they are less and less able to do that,” said Karen Hunter Anderson, executive director of the Illinois Community College Board. “I would expect by next fall semester, there are almost no colleges that would be able to offer (to front the scholarships).”

The warning came as officials pleaded for lawmakers to strike a spending agreement with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. The state’s colleges and universities have gone without financial assistance from the state since July 1. Most agreed to pick up the costs of the scholarships hoping for repayment from the state, but it’s growing increasingly hard for schools to make ends meet.

Anderson told reporters yesterday that “one or two” community colleges have committed to continue picking up the costs this fall. She said half of the colleges originally covered the grants, but now that number is about 20 percent.

James Applegate, the executive director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education also told reporters yesterday “I can’t predict” what will happen in the fall with public four-year universities.

* Related…

* State resumes notices on emission testing, but not on license registration

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:19 am

Comments

Let’s be very crystal clear why this is happening.

@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate. - Ron Sandack, 9/28/15

It’s not by accident, it’s by design, and Ron Sandack has no problem letting students drop out of community colleges, leave Illinois’ four year universities, or that any of these schools close.

Ron Sandack is frustrated, but it’s worth it to Ron Sandack.

That tweet says it all. It’s Rauner’s plan.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:26 am
What’s the next higher ed play by the governor and the Illinois GOP? Repeal the Morrill Act?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:29 am
Well said Word.

P.S. No worries folks, this will be covered by saving tons of money by buying cheaper pencils.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:34 am
Thanks OW for the Sandack quote. Every time I think I’ve gotten that piece of work out of my mind, it pops up again and I get nauseated all over again. After seeing him spew his thoughts on Chicago Tonight a while ago, I never want to see him ever again. What an OWL!!!

Comment by Big Joe Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:34 am
Can the Feds come in and spend our tax money as required since the Governor and GA cant seem to get it done. Class action lawsuit in federal court from the schools? Could it happen?

Comment by Tony Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:37 am
You’re welcome - Big Joe -.

Sandack has contributed by his bites and words to the decimation of social services and higher ed.

The tweet highlights, well, he’s proud of that(?)

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:39 am
I wonder what the “OWL” will do when somebody close to him has their school close.

@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate. - Ron Sandack, 9/28/15

Comment by Union Leader Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:55 am
Durkin “not going to give away our votes for nothing”.

It takes bills and votes 30/60. Not sound bites.

Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:56 am
==”* State resumes notices on emission testing, but not on license registration”==

Maybe SoS can kill two birds with one stone by sending both notices in one postcard.

Comment by Mama Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 10:59 am
James Applegate, how many public four-year universities will still be open this fall?

Comment by Mama Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:03 am
Mama - it’s likely the U of I campuses and ISU will keep their doors open.

Otherwise, it’s a crap shoot.

Comment by jerry 101 Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:43 am
Fortunately the prisons, and their Union workers, who babysit pot smokers at a cost of $18-30,000.00 a year/per person will still be open!

Comment by Jack Stephens Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 11:56 am
Jerry 101 - agreed, I have family at both. The SIU system may get a bit of a lifeline as well. Sad, Sad, Sad times for our State and its great institutions. Thank you BVR!

Comment by illini Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 12:34 pm
In all honesty Louis and Clark Community College appears to have plenty of money. Gorgeous campus, well paid faculty and staff. To be fair I have a hard time seeing why they couldn’t cover the MAP for a while. Maybe they are the few who can. I’ve seen other CC’s that I wondered if they were still open though. I feel so sorry for those students though.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 12:35 pm
This is unbelievable! It is much worse than a slow motion auto accident. To destroy the hope of college education for so many, to watch while an entire higher education system is trashed while spewing nonsense. It seems like a nightmare to watch. It must be hell to live in.

Comment by Niblets Thursday, Apr 7, 16 @ 1:53 pm