The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks,
The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and
spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."
Limited financial aid during summer semesters has left some students
with larger debts and increased work responsibilities, said Dan Mann,
director of SIU's Financial Aid Office.
But according to the governor's office, beginning in 2006, an estimated
20,000 students will be able to receive Monetary Award Program grants
during summer terms.
The program's extension will be available to eligible students who
haven't used up their funds - a maximum of about $4,400 - during the
fall and spring semesters.
This measure, sponsored by House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, is
designed to give non-traditional and low-income students an opportunity
to receive the state funds during summer terms, said his spokesman,
Steve Brown.
"You have the ability to allow people - who are perhaps returning to
school - a chance to improve or change their skills," Brown said.
"Sometimes, it's a result of a need to change careers because a plant
closes or some line of business that was once good isn't good anymore."
Last year, nearly 141,000 students received MAP grants.
During the 2004-2005 school year, approximately 5,400 SIUC students
received the grants - an increase of nearly 200 students, said Mann.
Additional funding during summer months, Mann said, is a concern because
it could reduce the amount of aid other students receive during the
academic year.
"The big question, I think, with all of the state programs right now is
funding," Mann said. "And as costs have gone up, the funding has not
increased in the financial aid program."
There are several financial aid options available to students, Brown
said, and MAP grants are just one of the options the state provides.
"The legislature has had to tighten the belt on state spending on a lot
of programs, including education," Brown said. "We'd like to spend more,
but you need better economic times to get that accomplished."
Daily Egyptian 
