Quinn Rallies Students to Call for MAP Grant Restoration

Gov. Pat Quinn is keeping attention on a college financial aid program for low-income students.

Lawmakers cut funding in half for the Illinois Monetary Award Program, also known as MAP grants. About 145,000 low-income students get financial assistance through the program.

The Chicago Democrat wants to see the money restored and he will rally at colleges around the state later this week, including the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University and Bradley University. The UI rally takes place Wednesday at noon at the Illini Union.

But Quinn's Democratic primary challenger, Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes, has said Quinn signed off on the cuts to the program. The cuts were part of lawmakers' efforts to deal with a gaping budget hole.

Quinn has had other MAP grant rallies at Northern Illinois University and the University of Illinois at Chicago.