|  "The Monetary Award Program is an essential tool for increasing the 
			number of Illinoisans with postsecondary credentials and degrees in 
			order to ensure individual opportunity, meet future work force needs 
			and foster growth in the state economy," said ISAC Executive 
			Director Andrew Davis. "Each year, it provides the resources for 
			over a hundred thousand students to follow their college dreams and 
			then enter the work force with an excellent education." Although 
			this year's eligible denied applications are projected to far exceed 
			last year's total of approximately 120,000 eligible students, the 
			Illinois Student Assistance Commission encourages students complete 
			the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA, in 
			order to qualify for federal grants and subsidized loans in addition 
			to possible institutional financial aid. 
			 "Fill out the FAFSA online at FAFSA.gov. It's the fastest, 
			easiest way to apply for financial aid," continued Davis. "It's not 
			too late to qualify for federal programs." Of those denied the state's flagship need-based college financial 
			aid program thus far, 70.5 percent, or 71,834, selected a community 
			college as their top choice on the 2010-11 FAFSA, which is the form 
			used to apply for the state Monetary Award Program and federal 
			student aid. Just over 13 percent, or 13,698, selected a public 
			four-year school, and approximately 10.4 percent, or 10,597, chose 
			an in-state private two-year, four-year, or hospital college. Just 
			over 5.5 percent, or 5,755, chose proprietary schools. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission provides further 
			background information regarding the problem, research and 
			resources, and weekly updates to MAP grant suspension activity at 
			the following website: 
			www.collegezone.com/mapcap. 
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			 The commission provides students of all ages and backgrounds with 
			the resources and support to obtain financial aid for higher 
			education. A state agency, 
			ISAC has paved the path to postsecondary education with 
			innovative programs for over 50 years. The commission continued its 
			mission to make college accessible and affordable for Illinois 
			students by administering over 183,000
			grants 
			and scholarships totaling over $430 million in fiscal 2009 
			alone. The commission provides educational funding with student loans 
			and via numerous programs such as
			MAP, 
			the 
			Illinois Veteran Grant and the
			College 
			Illinois 529 Prepaid Tuition Program. Students and families have 
			free access to a wealth of financial aid and college planning 
			information at 
			www.knowhow2goillinois.org.  (See PDF listing of 
			Monetary Award Program applications suspended at Illinois colleges.) 
            [Text from
			Illinois Student 
			Assistance Commission file received from 
			the
			Illinois Office of 
			Communication and Information] 
            
			 
            
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