Illinois’ year-long failure to craft a comprehensive budget is affecting college funding again, but this time, it’s students about 1,700 miles away, in Gilbert, Arizona.

Saint Xavier University on Chicago’s South Side cited the budget impasse as the reason for its decision to close its Satellite campus in Gilbert, according to a press release. The campus opened less than a year ago.

“The year-long budget impasse has resulted in a lack of full funding of the Monetary Award Program (MAP) awards for FY16,” the university stated. “The lack of a state budget at the conclusion of the current legislative session means that MAP funding for FY17 also remains uncertain.”

The 25 students in Arizona, who will now have to find a new place to study, aren’t the only ones affected.

Back at the Chicago campus, about 40 percent of students rely on the MAP grant, said Karla Thomas, University spokeswoman.

Saint Xavier staff is meeting with Chicago-based students to create financial plans as the future of grant funding remains uncertain.

Though Thomas says that funds from the Gilbert closure have not yet been allocated, they will not be used to front grant money to students, as other universities have done this fiscal year.

Students in Gilbert will continue to take online and on-site classes up until the end of the fall semester. 

Thomas says the Saint Xavier-Gilbert campus is closed indefinitely, but the University will work with the town of Gilbert to find an appropriate replacement.

Mariah Woelfel reports for the WBEZ news desk. Follow him @mariahwoelfel