data.illinois.gov
On Tuesday, November 10, SXU students participated in a rally in Springfield. The rally was held to urge Illinois state legislators and Governor Bruce Rauner to release funds for the Monetary Award Program (MAP).
MAP grants provide financial aid to Illinois residents who demonstrate financial need and are undergraduate students at an Illinois college. Eligibility for the grant is determined yearly based on FAFSA results. The grants do not need to be repaid to the state.
About 51% of SXU’s undergraduate students receive MAP grants and for many students the grant is an essential part of paying for their education. Last year, SXU students received assistance that ranged from $472 to $4,720.
For this academic year, however, SXU is awaiting the release of $6.4 million in MAP grants. Funding for the MAP program is currently on hold in the Illinois state budget, so it is unclear how much funds it will receive.
SXU students were urged to take advantage of the opportunity to go to Springfield to advocate for a release of the funding for the MAP grants. So many students signed up to attend the rally that there was a waitlist and not everyone was able to attend.
Junior Political Science Major, Aleta Riley-Tellis, attended the rally and explained why the MAP grant is so important to her and other students.
“The MAP grant is essential to my college career. Without the grant I would have to pay an extra $2000 out of pocket, which would be too much of a financial burden on myself and my family. Most students at SXU, including myself, work one or more jobs both on and off campus, take out student loans and still have to pay out of pocket for our educations. The loss of the MAP grant would take away several students’ opportunities to earn their degree from Saint Xavier University,” said Riley-Tellis.
Freshman English major, Aydah Nofal, who also attended the rally agrees that the state not funding the MAP grants would be a significant loss for SXU.
“I decided to attend the rally because I’m in the pre-law program and it was a great experience. It was also for a great cause that deserves attention. The MAP funds could quite literally save students’ education and keep them in school. I just felt that it was wrong they were losing that,” said Nofal.
Besides having a chance to advocate for an issue that was important to them, the trip to Springfield also gave students the opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of Illinois politics.
Rily-Tellis, who also had a chance to go to Springfield last semester for Lobby Day, explained that she really enjoyed both of her experiences in the state capitol.
“As a Political Science major, being able to see the inside workings of our state capitol building is very unique and interesting. My experiences in our state capitol have allowed me to make invaluable connections and consider a career in politics” said Riley-Tellis.
A group of over a dozen students left SXU at 6:30 am and arrived in Springfield in time for the rally, which was held from 10:00am to 1:00pm. The group returned to SXU that evening. Many students wore SXU gear to represent their school at the state capitol.
After the rally, which was held in the Capitol Rotunda with students from other Illinois colleges, students had the opportunity to visit legislators’ offices to speak to them about the importance of funding the MAP program.
According to Riley-Tellis, students got a chance to speak with Senator Bill Cunningham and State Representative Kelly Burke who both represent the district that includes SXU’s Chicago location. They also spoke with Senator Mike Hastings and State Representative Margo Mcdermed who both represent the district where SXU’s Orland Park campus is located.
Both Nofal and Riley-Tellis say that most of the legislators were supportive of their cause. “All of the legislators, except Mcdermed, support funding the MAP grant despite lack of a budget in the State of Illinois,” said Riley-Tellis.
While it is still unknown what will happen with the MAP grant funding, both students agreed that attended the rally was a worthwhile experience. “The experience was actually quite enjoyable and very much worth the time. I’m very glad I went,” said Nofal.
Yasmeen Abdellatif
News Editor