JB Pritzker, Governor, State of Illinois

FAQs: Reduction in 2024-25 MAP Awards

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is the state agency that manages the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant, a need-based scholarship that helps Illinois students pay for school. The state's General Assembly and Governor determine how much funding the program can use in a year, and ISAC operates the program.

I got a message from my school that my MAP grant is being reduced. What does that mean?

  • It means that in the spring semester (or winter and spring terms at quarter schools), your MAP award will be less than originally estimated, because the total amount of financial aid awarded through the MAP for the 2024-2025 academic year is being reduced.

Why are you reducing awards mid-year?

  • MAP grants come through ISAC, and the amount the agency can award each year is based on the level of funding provided by the state. When you see the MAP award in your financial aid offer, it is an estimated award.
  • This fall, many more students who are eligible for MAP grants enrolled than was expected.
  • Since the number of students using a MAP grant is much higher than expected, ISAC needs to reduce the size of MAP grants to ensure that the available funding can support all of the eligible students continuing to receive MAP grants for the rest of the academic year.

How much money will I get from my MAP award?

  • Depending on the size of your MAP grant, the reduction could range from as little as $12 to as much as $336.

Am I going to have to pay back money I received for the fall term?

  • No! You won't need to pay back any of the MAP grant funds you've already received for the fall term due to the reduction in your annual award amount.
  • However, your financial aid for the 2025 spring semester (or winter and spring quarters) will be somewhat less than the estimate that may have been included in your original financial aid package. This means your tuition bill for those terms may be slightly higher than expected.

Who should I ask or where can I go if I have questions?

  • Your school's financial aid office: They can provide specific details about how this change affects you.
  • ISAC: Student Engagement and Support Services team members can provide general information about MAP grants and this year's changes. Call 800-899-4722 or e-mail [email protected] or contact your local ISACorps member. Learn more about MAP at isac.org/map-grant.