Illinois school officials say the college choices for high school students in the state may be getting swayed by the state budget impasse.

President of the Illinois School Counseling Association Sherri McLaughlin says as students statewide face a deadline in several weeks to pick a school, they’re picking outside the Land of Lincoln for a variety of reasons.

McLaughlin says a number of high school seniors are choosing schools with the best financial aid packet.

McLaughlin says states that are, in particular, working to attract Illinois students with a better financial aid packet include Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Missouri.