CHICAGO — Illinois State Comptroller Leslie Geissler Munger announced today that $164 million in Monetary Award Program (MAP) grant vouchers have been paid to Illinois colleges and universities.

Munger says colleges and universities will receive payment to assist the 125,000 college students who rely upon that funding to further their education. She commented that students have suffered unacceptable hardship due to the state budget impasse.

She said the move is not a long term solution, noting that the MAP Grant funding signed into law earlier this week covers only half of what students were promised this year.

She applauded the General Assembly and Governor for a strong first step, but said it is critical they now finish the job and pass a comprehensive balanced budget that allows the state to keep its promises not only to students, but also to social service providers, schools, businesses and others that are serving taxpayers across the state.