Students who receive state money to attend Augustana College don't have to worry, at least for now. As the state budget impasse continues in Illinois, and no money is distributed for Monetary Award Program grants, the college will step in to bridge the gap.
Vice President Kent Barnds says currently nearly 700 students at Augustana each receive MAP grants averaging $4,700 a year. And they can continue to attend classes this spring and register for the fall because he believes the state will reimburse the college once a budget is finally worked out.
Those 700 MAP recipients represent 27 percent of the student body.
Barnds says the college can afford to do this because of its solid finances and the generosity of alumni and other donors. But he emphasizes Augustana will not be able to do this indefinitely.
And he asks people to contact the Illinois General Assembly and Governor and urge them to pass a state budget.