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The Prairie State College experience IS changing their lives!!! PSC students were gifted with future alumni t-shirts from the Foundation’s Alumni Office at today’s Pioneer event. The start of the year's energy and excitement were apparent. We are so proud of each and every student who is Starting Near and Going Far! Their stories are remarkable. If you’d like to make a difference for a PSC student with a scholarship donation click here to learn more.
By Peter Medlin | Northern Public Radio Illinois Published August 28, 2025 Northern Illinois University sophomore Michael Kocher shows his friend around campus during Welcome Week, posing for a picture in front of the "Huskie Pride" sculpture.
His friend just transferred from community college. Kocher says, if it wasn't for getting one of the state's Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants for lower-income college students, he would have taken the same path. "Because then I could, at least, work my way through college," he said. "Because NIU is a little expensive, I mean, compared to Kishwaukee College, at least. But, yeah, MAP and FAFSA really was a big decision in coming here." He's not alone. NIU enrollment administrator Sol Jensen says, for many students, MAP doesn't just decide university versus community college. "If we did not have MAP grants, there are thousands of students that very likely would not be able to go to college," said Jensen. The Illinois budget impasse began 10 years ago. At that time, Lawmakers significantly cut funding for MAP. But state investment has grown a lot since the budget crisis. In fiscal year 2016, the state appropriated $170 million to MAP. In 2025, the state budget devoted over $700 million. |
