While your open letter to the Illinois Legislature was interesting, it contained arguments that were fundamentally flawed.

First, if it were too much to ask to receive an education, Illinois would stop funding all public schools - primary and secondary. Since that’s not happening (nor would it ever happen), I feel that it’s a little absurd to say that the potential loss of the MAP grant means that students shouldn’t receive an education.

Second, during a recession when most states are having budget crises, its a bit naive to expect that non-essential parts of the budget (like the MAP grant) should be salvaged while essential parts are sacrificed. It’s unrealistic and selfish to expect that to be the case.

Third, putting forth the concept that a removal of Chicago’s bid for the Olympics could be a viable solution to the possible loss of the MAP grant in Spring 2010 is ludicrous. In fact, the only way that the state would spend money on the Olympics was after it already happened -since the state provided a monetary guarantee in case there was a net loss of money.

Finally, the overall idea that the state of Illinois is somehow responsible for students’ tuition is preposterous. Don’t misunderstand - I’m one of those students whose ability to attend college will be greatly impacted without the MAP grant. However, it is not the government’s job to make sure that I can afford a college education. Grants - state or federal - are a privilege, not a right.
If it’s Illinois’ fault for not supplying students with the MAP grant, it’s parents fault for not earning/saving more to be able to pay for their children’s education. It’s also too, the fault of we the students, for not earning and saving more for our own education.

The students who pinch every penny to stretch their financial aid and savings in order to afford school - those are the students who will have my sympathy if forced to leave school because the MAP grant is removed. However, the students who spend money on non-essentials such as going out, eating out, alcohol, cable, etc (and I fall into this category), they do not have my sympathy. Just as the irresponsible home-owners took out debt (ARMs) they couldn’t pay partially due to irresponsible spending, so too do many college students take on debt (tuition) etc. while making poor financial decisions.

We aren’t blameless because we’re young, and a college education is not a right. We must place blame where blame is due, and it isn’t all at the feet of the Illinois legislature.

Sincerely,
Karyn S.
NIU senior

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