This report examined changes in the affordability of a college education in Illinois, providing trend data on affordability from fiscal year (FY) 1982 through FY 1998. Affordability was examined for the average income of the three lowest income quintiles of Illinois families. Overall, the report found that public universities and private institutions were less affordable in FY 1998 than in FY 1992 for first, second, and third income quintile families, and that community colleges had become more affordable for families in the first and third income quintiles. It was also found that Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) eligibility, measured in constant dollars, decreased for second income quintile students at community colleges and public universities and for third income quintile students at public universities due to additional rationing mechanisms employed in the MAP formula. These results suggest that unless college costs rise at a lesser rate in the next decade, or unless additional grant assistance can be made available, college affordability will significantly decrease for most lower- and middle-income Illinois families. Three appendixes provide tables that track the expected family contribution for college costs of fourth and fifth income quintile families at community colleges, public universities, and private institutions. (MDM)