December 4, 2017
INVESTING IN ILLINOIS COLLEGE STUDENTS:
BOARD FOR HIGHER EDUCATION CONSIDERS FUNDING NEEDED IN ILLINOIS STATE BUDGET
IBHE recommends funding for Fiscal Year 2019; including stable funds for campus operations, capital improvement funding, and increase in Monetary Award Program (MAP) for students attending Illinois’ colleges and universities
The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) will make Fiscal Year 2019 budget recommendations at the Board meeting on December 12, for all higher education agencies and programs, including financial assistance, to be presented to the Governor and General Assembly. The proposed budget maintains stable funding for Illinois public campuses’ operations, and includes recommendations for capital expenditures to address critical maintenance needs. Funds for financial assistance to low-income students through the Monetary Award Program (MAP) are increased recognizing that MAP funds are available only to Illinoisans choosing Illinois colleges, as their first choice for receiving a high quality education preparing them for the workforce and successful futures in their home state.
“The Board is prepared to adopt a proposed budget that is realistic about Illinois’ current fiscal conditions but sends a clear message to Illinois’ Class of 2018 high school graduates, as well as other Illinois residents considering going to college, that attending an Illinois college or university is a good investment supported by state funding, including new funding for MAP for our neediest college students,” Tom Cross, IBHE Chair, said. “Passage of a timely and stable budget by the start of Fiscal Year 2019 on July 1, 2018 must be the most important priority for our State government’s decision-makers. We believe the Board’s budget proposal will assist them by identifying additional investments in campus operations, including deferred maintenance, and MAP, that will restore confidence in our excellent state higher education system.”
The IBHE will meet at 1 p.m. on December 12 at the Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora.
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