Higher Education and The Importance of Map

As a senior at Loyola University Chicago and a first-generation college student, I deeply understand the transformative power of education. My grandparents were denied the opportunity to attend college due to segregation and systemic racism, which drove me to take my chance for higher education seriously.

Throughout my collegiate journey, I’ve encountered financial challenges that have placed a strain on my studies and adversely affected my GPA. There were times when I had to make difficult choices between affording living expenses or purchasing college books. This experience underscores the importance of increasing the MAP award.

Increasing the MAP grant would not only help alleviate the financial burden of tuition but also enable students to focus on their personal endeavors after college. I urge electeds to support any new legislation aimed at increasing the MAP grant.

Joanna Adjei was born and raised in Chicago, IL. They plan to spend their career advocating for social justice.

MAP Funding in Illinois 

As a first-generation low-income student, my educational journey began in 2018 with full eligibility for MAP funding. Over the next few years, MAP provided stability, allowing me to fully experience university education without financial constraints. I could access all necessary resources for my classes and immerse myself in university life, participating in organizations, community service, and employment.

However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I faced challenges in maintaining my academics and mental health. Multiple semesters of withdrawn classes depleted my MAP funding, leading me to temporarily withdraw from school. Eventually, I found a solution by attending a public university to transfer back credits, thanks to MAP funding facilitating my continuation of education.

My reliance on MAP funding continues as I navigate uncertain times and return to university. Unfortunately, I am now limited in how many more semesters MAP will cover, leaving me facing an uncertain future.

My experience with MAP funding has been both fortunate and unfortunate. It has brought me to this point in my life, but without further support, I fear I won’t be able to progress much further. This underscores the importance of supporting MAP funding and ensuring its accessibility for all students. MAP has been instrumental in my journey, and without it, many students like me would struggle to access higher education and pursue their dreams.

Roberto Villasenor, is 23 years old, living in Chicago and from the neighborhood of Little Village. They currently do community organizing and study at WIU and IIT.