Gov. Bruce Rauner recommended $77,465,000 in state appropriations for NIU in his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2018.

The proposed budget, issued Feb. 15, comes following two years in which NIU did not receive full state appropriations because of an inability to balance a state budget in Springfield.

“Any kind of a reasonable budget going into the fiscal year would be very appreciated,” NIU Spokesperson Joe King said. “But, you know, when we look at that number, we’re still a little disappointed because that recommendation is a 15 percent reduction in the operating budget as compared to Fiscal Year [2015], which is the last year we actually had a budget, so it’s a pretty substantial cut.”

NIU was appropriated about $91 million for FY15, about $26 million for FY16 and about $48 million for FY17.

Rauner’s proposed appropriation for NIU falls about $14 million short of the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s recommended appropriation of about $91 million.

The proposed budget also included a 10 percent increase in funding for Monetary Award Program grants.

“When it comes to higher education, we understand the hardship being felt by students who rely on state assistance to go to college,” Rauner said in a Feb. 15 budget address in Springfield. “That’s why we’re proposing a 10 percent increase to MAP Grant funding — so those students can focus on learning and not their next tuition bill.”

Illinois lawmakers did not pass a budget for FY16 until June. The passing followed a 12-month budget impasse, which resulted from state lawmakers’ lack of agreement with Rauner. Until the budget was passed, state budget appropriations were not disbursed, including funding for higher education.

“We would have to continue to manage our money carefully like we always have been, particularly like we have in the last few years, but [this appropriation] would be a much improved situation over the last couple of years,” King said.

Alan Phillips, vice president for administration and finance, was not immediately available for comment.