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SPRINGFIELD (AP) — February is Financial Aid Awareness Month, and officials are urging parents of college-bound kids not to delay seeking assistance.
The agency that administers Illinois’ need-based financial aid is hosting nearly 200 events this month. They’re posted on the website of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
Executive Director Eric Zarnikow says it’s especially important in uncertain economic times to get a quick start applying for funds.
Many of the events for this month are geared toward helping parents fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms. The FAFSA forms are key to determining eligibility for an array of aid.
Eligibility for state MAP grants that don’t have to be repaid is based on FAFSA applications. And last year, MAP-grant funds were essentially depleted by April.
State News
Officials urge parents to file for student aid
- State News
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Ill. House approves guns plan opposed by governor
SPRINGFIELD (AP) — Gun owners could carry concealed weapons in Illinois, the last state in the nation to prohibit it, under legislation that swept through the House Friday with the backing of the powerful Democratic speaker from Chicago, a longtime proponent of firearms restrictions.
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Ill. Senate approves health-coverage exchange plan
SPRINGFIELD (AP) — The Illinois Senate agreed Thursday to create a state-governed "health insurance exchange" where individuals and small businesses could shop for coverage as required by President Barack Obama's health law.
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5 dead in Ill. van crash part of Christian group
BALTIMORE (AP) — Five Baltimore men killed when a van careened off a southern Illinois freeway were members of an evangelical Christian church returning from a weeklong international conference in California, officials said Wednesday.
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New Ill. House gun bill excludes parks, transit
SPRINGFIELD (AP) — Public transportation and municipal parks would be off limits to guns in a compromise proposal filed Wednesday that would regulate the carrying of concealed weapons in Illinois.
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Ill. House committee approves Medicaid expansion
SPRINGFIELD (AP) — A plan to expand Medicaid coverage for low-income adults without children squeaked through an Illinois House committee Tuesday despite scrutiny over a last-minute amendment that would give more flexibility to mental health institutions.
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Ill. Senate panel endorses ammunition limit
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Parents of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims testified Monday in favor of an Illinois limit on the size of ammunition magazines, a proposal that got a Senate committee endorsement.
Continued ... - Senate Democrats want more school money, not cuts
- Senate committee to consider gun bill
- 'Fracking' supporters say Ill. bill ready for vote
- Cities could restrict places for guns
- Watchdog group says state must address pensions
- Health centers to get $6M to help enroll uninsured
- Illinois Senate OKs union-backed pension deal
- Illinois Senate approves union-backed pension plan
- Republicans: Chair's resignation is time to reboot
- Illinois opens grant process for health guides
- Illinois Senate considers 2 state pension options
- Mayor, Ill. lawmakers make case for Chicago casino
- Court gives more time for concealed carry appeal
- Georgia trucker indicted in Illinois trooper death
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Ill. House approves guns plan opposed by governor



