IBHE Executive Director Statement on Fiscal Year 2027 Higher Education Budget

SPRINGFIELD - Today, Illinois Board of Higher Education Executive Director Ginger Ostro issued the following statement following the signing of the fiscal year 2027 state budget package:

"We are grateful to Governor Pritzker, legislative leaders and members of the General Assembly for enacting a budget that includes crucial funding for higher education. Illinois continues to recognize that investment in higher education, even when we are experiencing difficult fiscal times, is foundational to a thriving, prosperous state. 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. The budget also includes $400 million in new funding for deferred maintenance at public universities and community colleges, which will further ensure students have the classrooms, lab space, hands-on learning and facilities necessary for an education that will prepare them for successful careers today and in the future."

Budget Highlights:

• $16 million (1%) increase in operating funds for public universities ($13 million) and community colleges ($3 million)
• $29.5 million (2%) in reserve funding for higher education that was part of the FY26 reserves set aside amid federal funding uncertainty coming from Washington
• $721.6 million to maintain MAP financial need-based grants
• $50 million to maintain AIM HIGH scholarships
• $10.75 million for Golden Apple Scholars and $5 million for Golden Apple Accelerators
• $7 million for Prepare for Illinois' Future test preparation program
• $5 million to continue Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) scholarships
• $3 million to support Common App simplified admissions across institutions of higher learning
• $2 million to continue funding the Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois (DFI) program
• $500,000 increase for Student Success Initiatives