The financial aid checks going to NIU students might get a little bigger this fall as a result of the budget agreement approved by the state legislature.

The increases will mean at least an extra $150 per year for the average student receiving financial aid at NIU, with some receiving more and some receiving less.

“In a year where programs were being cut, we were relieved (to get the increase),” said Mary Barber Reynolds, director of state relations for the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Many state-based programs were cut to or below the level requested by Gov. Jim Edgar. But financial aid programs received increased funding of $8.3 million, or 4.6 percent from the general revenue fund, Reynolds said.

The increase in ISAC funding also was supported when the education portion of the temporary surcharge was made permanent, whereas the portion going to cities and towns was extended for another two years.

Among the programs receiving increases were six scholarship and grant programs administered by the state agency.

One of the programs which depends completely on the surcharge for funding is the merit recognition scholarship program. Since the education half of the surcharge was made permanent, the scholarship program will be fully funded at $4.4 million for fiscal year 1992.

Increases for financial aid programs will go to ISAC, which administers state-based grant and scholarship programs.

Reynolds said the final agreement was a relief for her and others who have watched the long debate over the budget.

“It took some time,” she said. “But they reached a compromise.”