The Illinois Board of Higher Education Executive Director Ginger Ostro issued the following statement following the signing of the fiscal year 2027 state budget package, “The budget for the 2027 fiscal year includes a one percent increase in operating funds for both public universities and community colleges, and the budget calls for the reserves from fiscal year 2026 to be released to institutions. It maintains funding for crucial scholarships to keep students in Illinois and to provide opportunities for students with limited resources to attend college.”
Budget Highlights:
• $16 million (1%) increase in operating funds for public universities ($13 million) and community colleges ($3 million)
• $721.6 million to maintain MAP financial need-based grants
• $10.75 million for Golden Apple Scholars and $5 million for Golden Apple Accelerators
• $5 million to continue Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) scholarships
• $500,000 increase for Student Success Initiatives
