Aurora University's goal is to keep you informed about MAP grant funding and any changes instituted by the state of Illinois. If you have questions, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 630-844-6190 or finaid@aurora.edu, or the Student Accounts Office at 630-844-5470 or student.accts@aurora.edu.
MAP grant deadline extended
Updated: March 20, 2011
Aurora University strongly recommends that students file the 2011-2012 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, March 25, 2011. This is a new, extended deadline that was announced Sunday, March 20.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission is suspending applications for 2011-2012 Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants for all students whose initial FAFSA is filed after Friday, March 25, 2011. Students who do not file their FAFSAs before the deadline will become ineligible for grants.
Don't wait for this year's tax information. Complete your FAFSA with the best information you have available.
Visit fafsa.gov to fill out the application. The Aurora University school code is 001634.
Spring MAP grants being processed
Updated: Feb. 9, 2011
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission has started to process MAP grant requests for the spring semester, meaning AU students will soon start seeing credits on their account balances. Students with a credit balance will receive a refund unless they have requested a hold until the end of the academic year. Refunds should be ready by Friday, Feb. 11. Students will be notified via e-mail regarding this activity on their accounts.
Please note that, due to the state budget and application volume, the state of Illinois has reduced spring semester grants by 5 percent, or no more than $125.
Message from President Rebecca L. Sherrick
Updated: December 22, 2010
More than 1,000 Aurora University students, or 42 percent of undergraduates, depend on Monetary Award Program (MAP) state grants to help fund their education. Unfortunately, financial uncertainties in Springfield have delayed the disbursement of fall 2010 funds to the university. Although MAP recipients have completed their fall courses, AU has yet to receive $2.4 million from the state of Illinois.
Our commitment at AU is to do everything possible to support our MAP recipients as state leaders attempt to resolve the serious financial issues that plague Illinois. Toward this end, the university will continue to "carry" students who have MAP awards credited to their accounts despite the university not receiving the funds to cover those grants. In addition, we will allow those students to move forward with spring semester courses.
We know how important it is for all of our Aurora University students to continue to make progress toward realizing important educational goals. That is why the university is taking this position. We hope to receive reimbursement from the state for fall MAP grants during the first few months of 2011.
We realize that the uncertainties in state grant funding are a source of continued concern for students and families. Our goal is to help you navigate through this difficult time and help you remain focused on achieving your educational goals.
MAP Background
Administered through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the state of Illinois' largest need-based aid program awards grants to Illinois residents who attend approved Illinois colleges and demonstrate financial need based on the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). MAP grants can be applied toward tuition and mandatory fees.
MAP grants are funded by the state of Illinois each fiscal year. In 2009, the state granted $430 million in MAP awards to 183,000 students. Under normal circumstances, a student who is eligible for a full MAP grant would receive $4,968 for the academic year at AU.
Because of a surge in applicants and state budget uncertainty, the application deadline has been moved up significantly in recent years. In 2010, the $400 million budgeted by the state was exhausted by April 19, meaning about 150,000 eligible students statewide will likely not receive MAP grants in 2010-2011.
For more information about the MAP program, visit the Illinois Student Assistance Commission's CollegeZone Web site. For ideas on how to balance other educational expenses, read this list of tips compiled by AU students.
Contact your legislators
Aurora University is actively engaged in advocating for full funding for MAP, but we also need the help of the AU community. We strongly encourage you to contact your elected officials to let them know how important this program is to you and your education.
You can identify your legislators and send them a letter expressing your concerns through the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities Web site. More information is available on the Save Illinois Map Grants Web site.
We promise to keep students and parents informed on the status of the deliberations in Springfield. And, as in the past, please know that you can count on us to help in every way possible.
