Those students receiving the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant for their tuition will experience a five percent reduction in their award for the 2011-2012 school year.

For the spring semester, the MAP grant was also given a five percent reduction, but Eastern covered the cut costs.

“The administration at Eastern decided it was the right thing to do,” said Jerry Alan Donna, the director of financial aid. “We didn’t want to put students in a pickle, so the spring term was covered.”

Unfortunately, because of the current economic state and lack of funds, Eastern will not be able to cover the MAP grant decrease for the fall 2011 semester.

“There’s not the same possibility,” Donna said. “Eastern doesn’t have that kind of money. “

According to Eastern’s financial aid website, the Monetary Award Program is a need-based grant that does not require payment. Students can receive amounts varying from $300 to $4,968.

To determine how much of the grant is awarded to each student Donna said a formula is used based on a student’s FAFSA result.

“The information from the FAFSA goes into the state system, and they have their own criteria for awarding based on the information,” he said.

Donna said for the 2010-2011 school year, 3,097 Eastern students received the MAP grant. He added that next year’s MAP grant recipients would receive a five percent reduction for the total year.

Despite this reduction, Donna said the maximum amount of money students could lose will be $248.

“Even for those who are going to have a five percent reduction, I don’t think $248 is going to be an amount to cause someone to drop out of school or change school,” he said.

He said he hopes this reduction will not force anyone to transfer or drop out of Eastern.

“It would really not make me feel good,” he said. “I’d want them to come to see me first before that happens.”

Dani Swindel, a freshman English major with teacher certification and MAP grant recipient, said although her grant money will be reduced, she will continue to stay at Eastern.

“I’ll stay here because I’ve been here a year and I know it’s the right school for me,” she said.

Although students will be losing this money, Donna said he hopes students will be able to find ways to compensate the loss through other financial aid options.

“Illinois provides the largest state grants, so we have a huge state grant (fund) available to students,” he said.

Donna also added that universities throughout the state are also feeling the effects of the grant reduction.

“(It affects) the people at all schools in Illinois, not just Eastern,” he said.

Donna said if students are having difficulty accumulating the funds for tuition, the financial aid office is willing to work with them.

“We can talk to students about other things they can do, like increasing their loan eligibility,” he said. “There are always things we can talk about and work with to help them meet their needs.”

Brooke Jones, a sophomore history major and MAP grant recipient, said that she wishes Eastern would continue to cover the costs of the grant.

“I get the maximum amount, so it’s a big chunk,” she said. “If they stop paying it, I’ll have to get a loan to cover the cost.”

Swindel said the grant reduction will also affect her.

“It will change things for me,” she said. “I’ll have to apply for private student loans to cover the cost.”

Donna said although he doesn’t like that the grant is cut, it is a necessary measure given the state’s current financial troubles.?

“The state’s in a difficult situation and they need to do it,” he said. “I guess this was the most reasonable compromise, and cutting everybody by five percent is a way to help balance the budget.”

Sara Hall can be reached at 581-2812 or smhall3@eiu.edu