By Michelle Bruce
This semester, students who were eligible for the Monetary Award Program saw a painful decrease in their funding. For the spring semester, students suffered a 5% decrease in funding that is used to pay tuition and other college expanses.
The MAP Grant gives grants to Illinois residents who attend approved colleges in the state and who show financial need. Eligibility is shown based on information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or as we know it, FAFSA.
Monmouth College students received an email from Jayne Schreck, the College Financial Aid Director, saying that the reduction reported at the beginning of the semester was an estimate, and will be finalized at the end of the semester. .
For the last couple of years, the funds for the MAP Grant have been diminishing at a rapid pace. To be eligible to receive the MAP Grant for this coming year, applicants have to file FAFSA as soon as possible. Schreck adds, “The deadline is an unknown moving target which will occur when the state’s funds are depleted.”
Last year, the budget for the MAP grant was cut in half, losing around $200 million, and 130,000 eligible students were denied funding because the program ran out of money. For the 2010-2011 school year, a projected 22,000 students did not receive money.
Like many students, Megan Lehrer is afraid of losing the MAP Grant, “If I don’t get the MAP Grant next year, I don’t even know if I will be able to come back for my senior year.”
. This huge reduction means fewer students will be eligible for the MAP Grant and those who are eligible will receive less money. The Financial Aid Department is stressing the importance of filing FAFSA as soon as possible. While FAFSA requires completed tax returns, Schreck suggest students file with estimated numbers because “it is more important that it is filed early/before the deadline.” Students can always re-access FAFSA and change tax information.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
NEW TWISTS AT VITA
By Charlie Jo DeMay
The Monmouth College Vita program has discovered new and improved ways to provide the community with its important service. Continuing its twelve-year tradition, the program is again giving free low-income tax service to Monmouth residents. This year, however, there will be the added attraction of a Spanish-speaking interpreter to assist Hispanics in tax preparation.
John White, the intercultural outreach coordinator with the University of Illinois Extension contacted VITA program coordinator, Judy Peterson, and offered to assist with free translation. VITA will also be having another important addition to the program. At each location there will be a member of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to assist families with FAFSA preparation. “Income taxes are a huge part of filing for FAFSA, so we are excited to have them here to help out,” said Peterson.
The first session starts February 2nd and will kick off the tax preparation at three different locations: the Warren County Public Library; the Galesburg Public Library; and at Monmouth College in the lower level Wallace Hall. The Spanish interpreter will be available at the public library location.
Judy Peterson and co-coordinator Patrick Montgomery have continued make VITA prosper for the students participating in the program as well as the patrons they serve.
Student program coordinator Kylie Near has been involved in the VITA program for two years now. “I did VITA for the first time last year and really had a blast doing it,” Near said. “Not only did I get 2 credit hours that I could use towards graduation, but also I can use my experience to put on my resume. I learned how to interact with the public and how to accomplish filing low-income taxes.”
Local resident Sandra Simpson has been utilizing the free tax service since it started. “I can’t afford to hire a private accountant to file all my taxes, so when I first found out about this program I was thrilled,” Simpson said. For more information about where you can get VITA tax preparation service go to the Monmouth College website at www.monmouthcollege.edu
The Monmouth College Vita program has discovered new and improved ways to provide the community with its important service. Continuing its twelve-year tradition, the program is again giving free low-income tax service to Monmouth residents. This year, however, there will be the added attraction of a Spanish-speaking interpreter to assist Hispanics in tax preparation.
John White, the intercultural outreach coordinator with the University of Illinois Extension contacted VITA program coordinator, Judy Peterson, and offered to assist with free translation. VITA will also be having another important addition to the program. At each location there will be a member of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to assist families with FAFSA preparation. “Income taxes are a huge part of filing for FAFSA, so we are excited to have them here to help out,” said Peterson.
The first session starts February 2nd and will kick off the tax preparation at three different locations: the Warren County Public Library; the Galesburg Public Library; and at Monmouth College in the lower level Wallace Hall. The Spanish interpreter will be available at the public library location.
Judy Peterson and co-coordinator Patrick Montgomery have continued make VITA prosper for the students participating in the program as well as the patrons they serve.
Student program coordinator Kylie Near has been involved in the VITA program for two years now. “I did VITA for the first time last year and really had a blast doing it,” Near said. “Not only did I get 2 credit hours that I could use towards graduation, but also I can use my experience to put on my resume. I learned how to interact with the public and how to accomplish filing low-income taxes.”
Local resident Sandra Simpson has been utilizing the free tax service since it started. “I can’t afford to hire a private accountant to file all my taxes, so when I first found out about this program I was thrilled,” Simpson said. For more information about where you can get VITA tax preparation service go to the Monmouth College website at www.monmouthcollege.edu
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
ROSEVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OPENS
By Michell Nutting
When Roseville Elementary closed its doors in 2010, residents of Roseville wanted another option for an elementary education in town. Roseville Community Christian School located within the Living Light Tabernacle Church, has opened and is in full swing for the 2010-2011 school year.
Teacher Karyn Beavers and her four students, Mea Blunt, Timothy Pence, April Rogers and Jessilyn Wainman are making sure that RCCS operates like a traditional school.
“We try to run our school like a normal school. Our kids get here at 8 o’clock, we run on the Monmouth-Roseville Junior High schedule because our kids can use those buses to get here. We come in in the morning; we usually open with prayer, we do our morning activities and the kids get started on their individual school work,” said Beavers.
The four students range from second to fourth grade which sometimes is a challenge for Beavers. “It’s a lot of preparation. You have to be prepared and you have to know what you are doing. They are all doing very well, and definitely with the small class size they get a lot of one on one attention.”
Beavers also says that although this is a private school her students are still involved with other activities, like girl scouts.
With the building of the old elementary school being turned over to the Village of Roseville, Beavers is not sure whether they will be able to occupy the vacant building or not. However, Beavers is optimistic about enrollment for next year. RCCS plans on having a few open house events for people to come visit their school. If you would like further information you can call the school at 309-426-1787.
When Roseville Elementary closed its doors in 2010, residents of Roseville wanted another option for an elementary education in town. Roseville Community Christian School located within the Living Light Tabernacle Church, has opened and is in full swing for the 2010-2011 school year.
Teacher Karyn Beavers and her four students, Mea Blunt, Timothy Pence, April Rogers and Jessilyn Wainman are making sure that RCCS operates like a traditional school.
“We try to run our school like a normal school. Our kids get here at 8 o’clock, we run on the Monmouth-Roseville Junior High schedule because our kids can use those buses to get here. We come in in the morning; we usually open with prayer, we do our morning activities and the kids get started on their individual school work,” said Beavers.
The four students range from second to fourth grade which sometimes is a challenge for Beavers. “It’s a lot of preparation. You have to be prepared and you have to know what you are doing. They are all doing very well, and definitely with the small class size they get a lot of one on one attention.”
Beavers also says that although this is a private school her students are still involved with other activities, like girl scouts.
With the building of the old elementary school being turned over to the Village of Roseville, Beavers is not sure whether they will be able to occupy the vacant building or not. However, Beavers is optimistic about enrollment for next year. RCCS plans on having a few open house events for people to come visit their school. If you would like further information you can call the school at 309-426-1787.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
BACK ON TRACK
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Lawrence University at Monmouth College, Monmouth, Ill.
Monmouth 75
Lawrence 39
Monmouth jumped out to a 12-0 lead and never looked back in a 75-39 win over Lawrence. Colleen Forrest buried eight three-pointers to break the school record for threes in a game with Tina Forth. The Fighting Scots’ defense held the Vikings to 13 first half points and 25 percent shooting for the game. Monmouth used 15 players in the game to post the home win, a night after suffering their first home loss in a year. Forrest led all scorers with 24 points as she connected on 8-of-15 treys.
Lawrence University at Monmouth College, Monmouth, Ill.
Monmouth 75
Lawrence 39
Monmouth jumped out to a 12-0 lead and never looked back in a 75-39 win over Lawrence. Colleen Forrest buried eight three-pointers to break the school record for threes in a game with Tina Forth. The Fighting Scots’ defense held the Vikings to 13 first half points and 25 percent shooting for the game. Monmouth used 15 players in the game to post the home win, a night after suffering their first home loss in a year. Forrest led all scorers with 24 points as she connected on 8-of-15 treys.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
A NEW TRADITION CONTINUES
By Dan Nolan
MONMOUTH, Ill. – Monmouth area youth will get a little extra when they attend the Monmouth College basketball games against Lawrence University on Jan. 15.
For the second consecutive year, the Fighting Scots basketball teams, as part of the NCAA’s Take a Kid to the Game (TAKG) initiative, are encouraging adults to bring children ages 14 and under to Saturday’s contests at Glennie Gym. The women’s game tips off at 2 p.m., with the men’s action to follow.
Admission is free and fans 14 and under will have the opportunity to win prizes and to participate in a variety of halftime activities. Monmouth’s mascot, Big Red, is also scheduled to be in attendance and available to have his picture taken with fans of all ages.
“This is a great way to introduce kids to the college game and experience college basketball in person,” said Scots’ women’s coach Melissa Bittner. “You miss so much of the atmosphere of college ball if you just sit at home and watch it on TV. Our hope is that by coming to the game, kids will become interested in athletics and become more physically active and healthier. You’ll want to get there early, while we still have plenty of prizes.”
Members of Monmouth’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will be assisting in the giveaways and activities. Last year, more than 30 youth participated in the effort.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our college community and the Monmouth community to make a connection,” said Bittner. “We do numerous community activities throughout the year, but this is specifically designed to benefit Monmouth’s youth.”
MONMOUTH, Ill. – Monmouth area youth will get a little extra when they attend the Monmouth College basketball games against Lawrence University on Jan. 15.
For the second consecutive year, the Fighting Scots basketball teams, as part of the NCAA’s Take a Kid to the Game (TAKG) initiative, are encouraging adults to bring children ages 14 and under to Saturday’s contests at Glennie Gym. The women’s game tips off at 2 p.m., with the men’s action to follow.
Admission is free and fans 14 and under will have the opportunity to win prizes and to participate in a variety of halftime activities. Monmouth’s mascot, Big Red, is also scheduled to be in attendance and available to have his picture taken with fans of all ages.
“This is a great way to introduce kids to the college game and experience college basketball in person,” said Scots’ women’s coach Melissa Bittner. “You miss so much of the atmosphere of college ball if you just sit at home and watch it on TV. Our hope is that by coming to the game, kids will become interested in athletics and become more physically active and healthier. You’ll want to get there early, while we still have plenty of prizes.”
Members of Monmouth’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will be assisting in the giveaways and activities. Last year, more than 30 youth participated in the effort.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our college community and the Monmouth community to make a connection,” said Bittner. “We do numerous community activities throughout the year, but this is specifically designed to benefit Monmouth’s youth.”
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