CHICAGO — In just two weeks, the state has rejected more than 11,000 applications for student aid.

Paul Palian with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission says the MAP financial aid program was coming dangerously close to its 400 million dollars and has been forced to suspend funding on April 19th, the earliest the program has ever been closed.

Palian says the commission will write 100 thousand more rejection letters this year to balance a 30 percent increase in applications.

050410Palian1   :12   "…as suspended applicants" 

The news came as no surprise to Don Sevener with the Illinois Board of Higher Education, a group that has lobbied for restoring MAP funding.

050410Sevener1   :16   "…in the past"

Palian says students in need should not lose hope and encouraged them to seek federal aid through the FAFSA program. Students can find application at www.fafsa.ed.gov.