Aurora’s Roosevelt Aurora Post 84 will help fund MAP grants to veteran students. (Photo Post 84)

The Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 is stepping up to help veteran students during the state budget impasse. 

Roosevelt-Aurora Post 84 designated a total funding amount of $2,500 to be awarded to as many veteran students as possible who had state grants suspended or not funded due to the budget impasse. 

“Veteran students are at risk of not being able to complete their schooling because of the budget impasse of the State of Illinois,” said Mike Eckburg, post commander. “The members of Roosevelt Aurora Post 84 will help fund MAP grants that students were supposed to have received from the State of Illinois.”

This money will be distributed based on the number of requests received and the dollar amount requested per grant.  

Each grant request will be evaluated by the Post and given a recommended award amount based on the submitted documentation.    

“We are a small post, and we want to do our part to help the younger veterans continue their education and remain in school,” Eckburg said.  “Roosevelt-Aurora Legion Post is here to help all our veterans, regardless if they are members or not.  We are brothers and sisters in arms, and sometimes our younger veterans are overlooked.  We are there for them.”

Interested applicants should submit a letter of request, grant application which can be downloaded at Post84.com, copy of the veteran’s DD214 and official college letter of suspension or non-payment of their MAP grant.

Information must include the amount of the MAP grant award not received, proof of enrollment in an institute of higher education, and must provide proof of permanent residence within the boundaries of the city of Aurora and Aurora Township. 

Students will be notified of grant amounts they receive and the funding will be dispersed directly to the college at which the student attends on their behalf.

Requests for assistance will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis until the total amount of $2,500 is exhausted.   

The Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 was founded in 1919, and is one of the oldest posts in Illinois.  It is named in memory of Quentin Roosevelt, the youngest son of President Theodore Roosevelt, who was killed in WWI in aerial combat over France on Bastille Day (July 14, 1918).

The post has a membership of over 300 and currently meets on the second Friday of every month at 8 a.m. at Colonial Café, 1961 West Galena Blvd.,  in Aurora.

–Aurora Legion Post to provide grants to veterans who have lost state education aid–