The Illinois Board of Higher Education has approved a fiscal year 2021 budget that increases funding for direct student support through the Monetary Award Program (MAP) and AIM HIGH, as well as for college and university operations. The request includes $193.8 million in new dollars, or a 9.5 percent increase in funding. “We were excited, frankly, that state lawmakers passed and that Gov. JB Pritzker signed a budget last year that signaled the end of sustained disinvestment in higher education in Illinois. We are especially pleased to include a significant increase in MAP of $50 million, and the addition of $20 million dollars in HECA (Higher Education Cooperation Act) Grants to support equity and attainment initiatives in public institutions,” said IBHE Board Chair John Atkinson.
Illinois Higher Education Appropriations Operations History Adjusted for Mandates and Inflation
The proposed budget totals $2.242 billion, which includes $142.2 million for the State University Retirement System, $466.7 million for capital renewal, and $516.7 million for regular capital.
IBHE Interim Executive Director Nyle Robinson said, “Last year we began the reversal of years of reduced funding for higher education and our goal is to continue that momentum as we work towards an equitable funding formula for higher education over the next year.” He continued, “Illinoisans and the state economy can only thrive when all levels of education are healthy. This budget recommendation is realistic, thoughtfully takes into account the state’s limited resources, and builds upon the healing that began last year.”
In the budget request are $68.3 million in additional funding for state universities and $15.8 million for community colleges and adult education. The board is also focused on sufficiently funding the Higher Education Cooperation Act program with $20 million to ensure that Illinois is able to invest in programs that help close achievement gaps, drive collaboration and innovation. Illinois needs to be a leader in innovation and this is a good way to help take our state’s higher education to the next level,” said Atkinson.
“We are especially focused on equity,” said Atkinson. “Underrepresented students were hurt three ways when state funding for higher education decreased. First, lower operational funding meant higher tuition. Second, MAP dollars were cut, which meant lower student assistance for thousands of college-bound young adults. Thirdly, colleges and universities had to cut staff, and programs to help minorities and low-income student couldn’t grow to meet demand.”
The new or increased grant lines include:
• Monetary Award Program (MAP) $50 million
• AIM HIGH $10 million
• Veterans and National Guard $23 million
• State Data Capacity Expansion $1 million
In an effort to advance higher education in Illinois, IBHE is asking for funding for additional staff to focus on consumer protection, community outreach, workforce development and strategic planning for the next decade. IBHE hopes the increased funding for higher education will slow the increase in outmigration. Illinois has an outstanding system of colleges and universities and is considered the top state for successful transfers between institutions.
As Illinois works to grow our economy we need to invest in the workforce of tomorrow, and our higher education system must play a critical role in ensuring all our students are prepared for an equitable and prosperous future.
Detailed budget information can be found at www.ibhe.org, and click on About Us, then Calendar & Agendas.
***Report Courtesy of the Illinois Board of Higher Education***
