College-bound Illinois students no longer can tap into one source of state financial aid.
Funds for the Monetary Award Program (MAP grant) has dried up, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission said.
Commission spokesman John Samuels told the Associated Press the money ran out following March 13 student applications, the earliest the state has run out of the grant money.
But Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford said he hopes the legislature will address the issue.
"I'm not sure that chapter of the book is completely closed yet," Rutherford told NBCChicago on Wednesday. "The General Assembly will reconvene today down in Springfield, and I know this is an issue very concerning to a number of my colleagues in the legislature."
The aid is expected to be distributed to more than 140,000 students.
"When you start to look at choices you have regards to spending, I don't think there's any question with regards to public safety and education opportunities for not just young-young people but mature older people," Rutherford said.
"We need to start to prioritize, and those two are very important to have happen."
