DeKALB – MAP grant amounts will be reduced by 8%, up to $336 per student for the spring 2025 semester.
NIU’s Financial Aid and Scholarship Office notified students of the change in an email on Friday. According to the email, the reduction for each student will vary based on eligibility and enrollment.
MAP funding is provided by the Illinois General Assembly (ILGA) on an annual basis and MAP grant amounts are determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
“Because fall claim rates were higher than expected, ISAC must reduce spring awards,” said the email from the university.
Assistant Vice President of NIU’s Financial Aid Office Anne Hardy said the reduction is due to more students applying for the MAP than was expected by ISAC.
“When students see a MAP grant award in their financial aid offer, it’s an estimated amount,” Hardy said. “This fall many more students who are eligible for MAP grants enrolled across the state of Illinois than was expected.”
According to Hardy, at NIU 5,400 students receive MAP grant funding and NIU receives about $19.3 million from MAP awards.
The last time MAP funding had to be reduced was 2011, according to Hardy.
According to ISAC program data, there were 355, 262 announced applicants in FY23 and 371,717 in FY24. Announced applicants are Illinois residents who completed an application for financial aid, had not completed a bachelor’s degree and whose first choice school participates in MAP.
“We don’t have much control over this. It’s the state of Illinois budget,” Hardy said. “If it was up to us and if it was up to ISAC, all students would be getting their full funding.”
Hardy said students who will be continuing at NIU in the fall should submit their FAFSA application as soon as possible..
“The process does seem to be working much better than it did last year,” Hardy said. “We want students to submit their FAFSA or alternative application now.”
Students who wish to advocate for full funding of the MAP grant can contact their state representative’s office. Students who live in the ILGA’s 76th House district can contact Lance Yednock.
ISAC has provided a list of frequently asked questions regarding the reduction on its website.
Students who have questions or need assistance with their FAFSA application can visit NIU’s Financial Aid Office website or email [email protected].
