Illinois community colleges students are caught up in a political battle between the Republican governor and Democratic legislators.
The state paid nearly 40 million dollars last year to help 42,000 low income college students go to a community college. For the current school year, it has paid nothing.
MichaelMonagham, executive director of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association, represents 39 community college boards of trustees. He said the schools want the state to pitch in for grants and other programs.The group's proposed legislative agenda includes funding MAP grants and adult education, as well about $1 billion in construction projects.
"We simply put forth what our requests are and hope that the General Assembly and the governor can agree that's important to fund higher education," he said.
Students attending four-year universities are likewise without their MAP grants. While some schools have covered those costs, roughly half of those responding to a recent survey say they won't in the future.
Copyright 2016 NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS
