June 30 the Indiana legislature passed a new two-year budget. Unlike most areas in the budget that saw cuts, funding for the state grant program increased by 6.5%. However, the number of students filing Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) increased 24%. The State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana (SSACI) was forced to reduce the cap for state grants by 31% at both public and private colleges. The maximum state grant for students attending an Indiana public university dropped from $6,096 to $4,206 and the top grant at a private college dropped from $10,992 to $7,584. Some colleges will try to make up part or all of the difference in state grants and others will not. Returning and new first-year students would be wise to contact their college or university immediately if they have not heard from them about what they will do to help with the cuts.