SPRINGFIELD - For thousands of college students who rallied in Springfield, their protests did not go unheard. The Illinois General Assembly gave Governor Pat Quinn the power to spend more than $200,000,000 on the MAP Program.

The rally is a historical moment as it's the first time college universities from across Illinois are coming together for a common cause. The goal was to get MAP grants re-instated.

Students holding signs that say, save MAP grants marched to the state capital. About 138,000 college students were at risk of losing funding, and not being able to return to college next semester. Governor Pat Quinn talked to students saying he supports MAP grant funding.

In January lawmakers will have to come back to Springfield to figure out how to pay for the MAP grants. One of the options on the table is a cigarette tax.