Despite Economy, MAP Grant Worries, EIU Enrollment “Optimum

An administrator at Eastern Illinois University says enrollment there remains strong, despite economic struggles and the uncertain future of Illinois' Monetary Awards Program, or MAP grants. Just four shy of the optimum enrollment of 12,000 are taking courses on the Charleston campus this fall. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Blair Lord says the numbers show that students realize the importance of a higher education. He says nearly a quarter of EIU's undergraduate population depends on MAP Grants. Just over 12,000 students attended the school a year ago.