Federal shifts in student aid, grant funding, FAFSA accessibility, and higher-education oversight are creating additional barriers for Illinois students, especially for students of color and those from low-income communities and rural regions. As federal policy minimizes access to a postsecondary education and destabilizes institutional finances, Illinois needs to act in order to protect our state’s interest in having a healthy higher education ecosystem. Yet, the Governor’s budget proposals over the three years have failed to keep up with inflation, and in his budget for FY27 recommends no additional funding for MAP, both of which further exacerbate fiscal challenges for universities and mounting affordability issues for students and their families.
As a statewide alliance of equity-minded advocates, the Coalition for Transforming Higher Education Funding calls on Governor Pritzker to support our students, universities, and communities by passing SB13/ HB1581 to ensure that our state continues to invest in our universities in an equitable and sustainable manner, and increasing appropriations in the Monetary Award Program (MAP) by $71 million. These investments are strategic and necessary to stimulate Illinois’ postsecondary landscape, competitiveness, and long-term fiscal health.
The Coalition’s Policy Priorities
Monetary Award Program (MAP)
A $71 million increase to the MAP program would make college more affordable for students who qualify for the grant. Last year, insufficient funding forced the suspension of more than 38,000 awards for eligible applicants. Investing an additional $71 million would restore support for those students and ensure that every eligible applicant receives the financial assistance they need.
Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Act (SB 13 / HB 1581)
Illinois needs a data-driven funding model that underscores the resources individual universities need to fulfill their missions and ensure their respective student bodies can thrive. Since 2000, state appropriations to public universities have been cut by nearly half. This means that students and their families are increasingly burdened by the cost of higher tuition and fees and institutions are forced to cut programs and services to cover shortfalls. Passing a student-focused, university funding formula, as proposed in SB 13/HB 1581, can fix the inequities in how Illinois funds its four-year public institutions.
Using This Toolkit
Focus on your local lawmakers in your advocacy actions to tell them why Illinois must equitably invest in higher education. For decades, institutions have stretched limited state resources to serve students, and as a result, students and families have been placed in difficult financial positions. Our state will benefit if we choose to anchor communities through thriving universities.
Tell your legislators that Illinois has fallen short in supporting its students, but there is an opportunity for the state to change this and make meaningful progress. Use (and personalize!) the letter, phone script, social media bank, and other actions to share the message on how this work matters.
Jump to: Social Media Advocacy | Meet with Your Legislators
Write Your Legislators | Resources
Social Media Advocacy
Use your social media platforms to tell your legislators to prioritize affordable, equitable higher education funding in FY2027. Elevate your voice and ensure lawmakers know what they must do to ensure Illinois students and communities are well-supported. Click here to see your legislator social media accounts
There are two ways you can share these posts. You can click the link to post to X (formerly Twitter), or you can copy + paste the text and image to whatever platform you use the most.
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| March 19 Click to post to X: https://ctt.ec/259hk | .@statesen @staterep. We know a college degree drives opportunity for both students and our state. Illinois stands to come out on top when we ensure students can afford college #TransformILHigherEd |  |
| March 25 Click to post to X: https://ctt.ec/vyKYa | Illinois has priced out its students. Without an adequate, equitable investment in higher ed, we will continue to lose our students and our state will pay the price. @statesen @staterep Support #SB13/HB1581and support our students |  |
| March 26 Click to post to X: https://ctt.ec/2jOUf | Make college accessible for low-income and first-gen students who deserve affordable higher education. @statesen @staterep without an additional $71M for MAP, the program can’t keep pace with rising tuition costs. |  |
| April 1 Click to post to X: https://ctt.ec/MeXfa | Our students have what it takes. Imagine what 15,200 additional graduates per year could bring to IL. The path to equitable higher ed funding is clear. @statesen @staterep invest in #SB13/HB1581 |  |
| April 2 Click to post to X: https://ctt.ec/9818v | IL tuition and fees are over 40% higher than the U.S. average. @statesen @staterep don’t ignore college affordability. Invest $71M additional dollars for MAP because our students deserve equitable college access. |  |
| April 8 Click to post to X: https://ctt.ec/Mb28P | Higher ed is not one-size-fits-all. Campuses from Chicago to Carbondale deserve the state resources they need to serve their unique communities. SB13/HB1581 provides just that #TransformILHigherEd |  |
| April 9 Click to post to X: https://ctt.ec/l0VbU | Higher ed fuels growth. Let’s expand opportunity for students and IL by investing in higher education. More college graduates means more revenue through state taxes, innovation, and economic growth. #TransformILHigherEd |  |
| April 15 Click to post to X: https://ctt.ec/CU8_B | Our students are Illinois’ best investment. @statesen @staterep let’s ensure degrees work for Illinois by keeping our students in state by prioritizing college affordability and stable funding. #MAPmatters #SB13HB1581 |  |
| April 16 Click to post to X: https://ctt.ec/Udyf4 | With equity and affordability at the center of funding, universities can be our state’s anchors. Let’s invest in an additional $71M in MAP and pass SB13/HB1581 to support students and our state economy #TransformILHigherEd |  |
Midway through this legislative session, hundreds of advocates will be in Springfield on Thursday, April 16, for the 2026 Higher Education Advocacy Day! Help us spread the word about the Coalition’s biggest and most important Advocacy Day yet.
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 Click to post to X: https://ctt.ec/s09ee | Be a part of something powerful! Use your voice to advocate for equitable #highered opportunities in Illinois. 🗣️ Join us Thursday, April 16, in Springfield for the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲! Learn more & register: https://bit.ly/26HigherEdAdvocacyDay |
 Click to post to X: https://ctt.ec/6IP5Z | In advocacy, there’s power in numbers. Make an impactful change in Illinois’ #highereducation by participating in 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲 on April 16! Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/26HigherEdAdvocacyDay | #TransformILHigherEd |
 Click to post to X: https://ctt.ec/bc4Y4 | The countdown begins⏳𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐲 is only one month away! Don’t miss out on our most pivotal event to date: Illinois needs an equitable, affordable & protected #highered system. https://bit.ly/26HigherEdAdvocacyDay | #TransformILHigherEd |
 Click to post to X: https://ctt.ec/36v11 | Higher education works for Illinois. It strengthens our workforce, fuels our economy, and transforms the lives of students from all backgrounds. To protect this opportunity, register for 2026 Higher Education Advocacy Day on 4/16: https://bit.ly/26HigherEdAdvocacyDay | #TransformILHigherEd |
Jump to: Social Media Advocacy | Meet with Your Legislators
Write Your Legislators | Resources
Meet with Your Legislator 1:1
Set up some time to connect with your local legislators to highlight why affordable college education and equitable university funding will benefit students, your community and the state. Urge them to demonstrate their support and ensure Governor Pritzker does the same.
Find Your Legislator
- Step 1: Find your local legislator by visiting ilga.gov
- Step 2: Be sure the “Show Senate” and “Show House” boxes are both checked
- Step 3: Enter your address in the search box
- Step 4: Your Illinois State Senator and House Representative should appear to the right of the map upon submitting your address
- Scroll down to the bottom to view your local legislators
- Step 5: Click on your State Senator and House Representative’s photo
- Step 6: You should see contact information where you can call your legislator’s office to schedule a meeting
Give your local lawmaker a call to discuss why they should support the passage and funding of SB 13/HB 1581 and an additional $71M investment in the Monetary Award Program (MAP) in FY 2027. Uplift your voice by calling today.
Reference these talking points during your phone call to underscore why it is critical Illinois supports this work.
Jump to: Social Media Advocacy | Meet with Your Legislators
Write Your Legislators | Resources
Write Your Legislators
Send a letter to your legislators to ensure they understand the urgency of supporting SB 13/HB 1581 and the Monetary Award Program (MAP) in FY27. Input your name, email, and address and be sure to personalize areas of the letter to share more on why you advocate for equitable, affordable higher education.
Jump to: Social Media Advocacy | Meet with Your Legislators
Write Your Legislators | Resources
Additional Information and Resources
Click the image to view or download
 | Post or print this postcard, and circulate them with your networks and legislators to urge Illinois to fund students forward. |
 | Learn more about how this legislation, which proposes the Adequate and Equitable Funding Formula, is student centered and designed to ensure each institution has the resources needed to thrive. |
 | Take a closer look at how SB 13/HB 1581 would benefit each of the public universities. |
 | Integrate key points about SB 13/HB 1581 into your letters, social media messaging, and conversations with lawmakers. |
 | Read and share information about how the Monetary Award Program (MAP) is an essential state financial aid program that helps address affordability, a primary barrier to college education. |
 | Use these talking points to create the context around the need for a more equitable postsecondary system and to spread the word about this work with your networks and elected officials. Tell your community how an investment in higher education is an investment in Illinois. |