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MAP awards suspended

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The recent announcement that new Monetary Award Program awards for 2001-2002 are being suspended will affect a few new IVCC students, but other aid forms are available.

Although the Illinois Student Assistance Commission announced the award suspension in late October, students who have already received official notification of their eligibility will continue to receive MAP funds during the current academic year, through Spring 2002.

"Students will not lose their MAP awards," said Paul Crawford, director of financial aid. "This ISAC decision only affects new applications for financial aid."

Crawford said very few IVCC students would be affected.

"A certain number of students do apply this late into the year, but most are already done for the year," he said.

Crawford was quick to note, though, that other sources of financial aid are still available, including the Federal Pell Grant, student loans and employment opportunities.

"Students should not be discouraged from applying for financial aid, even though MAP funds are being depleted," he said.

"ISAC will probably resume awarding MAP funds later in the year," the director said. "Awards would then be made to students based on the date of their application, so it is still important to apply without delay."

Crawford emphasized that this ISAC action is specific to the current academic year.

"Next year begins a new appropriations cycle," he said. "The MAP grant will be funded next year. As always, it's important to apply for financial aid as early as possible."

The financial aid application cycle for the 2002-2003 academic year begins Jan. 1, 2002.

Last year, ISAC was able to fund MAP grants well into the spring. This year, state funding was not able to keep up with demand.

"More applications, higher tuition levels state-wide, and the soft economy mean the appropriations have gotten used up," Crawford explained.