Pritzker visits Heartland Community College highlighting proposed higher education investments

NORMAL (25News Now) - Illinois Governor JB Pritzker was at Heartland Community College Tuesday highlighting his proposed investments in higher education.

Pritzker’s FY24 budget proposal calls for the largest increase for community colleges in over 20 years and historic investments in financial aid.

The proposal calls for an additional $100 million investment in Monetary Award Program (MAP) Grants. These assist eligible students who demonstrate financial need and do not need to be repaid.

This represents a 75 percent increase since Pritzker took office.

“Over the last four years, my administration has been laser-focused on righting Illinois’ fiscal ship. Because of that work, our state can re-direct funding back into opportunity for Illinoisans, all while maintaining a balanced budget,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois is poised to make history: making it possible for every working-class resident to get the degree, training, and skills they need – tuition free and fee free. With an additional $100 million directed to the MAP grant program, a student can pair our state support with a federal Pell grant and pay for college with no loans or debt required.”

With this increase plus the additional availability of Pell Grants and scholarships, virtually all community college students at or below the median income level will have their tuition and fees fully covered. Beginning last year, every student eligible for a MAP Grant received one.

Heartland serves over 13,000 students. 1 in 5 received a MAP Grant.

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