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Demand for financial aid in Illinois is up so sharply that the state has already had to deny 27,000 students need-based aid grants for the 2010-2011 school-year.  The agency that distributes the grants says that number could go as high as 200,000 by the time school starts.

This year, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission plans to award $400 million in grants under the Monetary Award Program or MAP.  This year, however, demand is far outpacing supply in the grants after the recession has left more students cash strapped and schools hiked tuition to deal with declines in state appropriations.  The MAP grants can provide up to $4,968 per year for students in need. 

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