LINCOLN PARK — The more than 4,500 DePaul University students who rely on funding through MAP (Monetary Awards Program) are breathing easier after the university recently announced it would front the money for the state grants through the end of the 2015-16 academic year.
“DePaul University is disappointed that the political impasse has resulted in the state’s failure to meet its obligation of providing MAP awards to students in the state of Illinois," said DePaul president Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider in a Friday news release.
"In keeping with our Catholic Vincentian mission, DePaul is announcing today that it will honor the Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants awarded by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to DePaul students this year."
The announcement came hours after Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed legislation Friday that would fund MAP grants, saying it would "explode the State's budget deficit, and place further strain on social service providers," according to his order.
Since July, the state has been operating without a budget, which has left funding for state aid, such as the MAP grants, in limbo.
The grants are designed for low-income and working-class students attending Illinois colleges.
When Vanessa Cadavillo, president of the university's Student Government Association, heard the announcement, she said she felt "very, very thankful."
"It speaks to our mission to truly help those in need," said Cadavillo, a senior at the school.
Though Cadavillo is not a recipient of the grant herself, she knows many students at DePaul and across the state who rely on the funding, which she called "essential."
Since future funding is unclear, Cadavillo and the rest of the SGA plan to continue lobbying, which will include sending postcards to Springfield, she said.
"We are all aware that it's not going to be a norm in future years," said of the university's decision to front the funding.
"Our work has definitely not ended here."
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