Alumni and friends of Augustana College in Rock Island are being asked to help some of its students stay in school during the state budget impasse. The board of trustees is holding a fund drive to support those who may not receive the Monetary Award Program, or MAP grants, they need.
Through June 30th, trustees are offering up to 200,000 dollars in matching funds for gifts to the college scholarship fund.
Last year, 700 students at the private, liberal arts college were promised 3.1 million dollars. And so far, they've received only partial payment.
In a press release, President Steve Bahls says "The Augustana College Board of Trustees and I have decided that no student who was promised MAP funding by the state of Illinois will be denied the ability to complete their studies at Augustana. And we will continue to admit deserving students who qualify to receive MAP funding."
He goes on the say the outlook for the coming year "remains uncertain."
