SPRINGFIELD - As hundreds of students descended on the Illinois Capitol on Thursday, lawmakers voted to change course and pay for the state's biggest scholarship program for the spring semester.

Funding for the Monetary Award Program had been exhausted for the year, leaving 137,000 Illinois students who depend on the need-based grants out of luck for the spring semester.

But on Thursday, despite not approving a way to generate money to pay for it, lawmakers voted to provide $200 million to cover the spring semester scholarships.

Students from universities around the state had gathered to rally for the money.

The House approved paying for the grants in a 115-0 vote. The vote was 56-1 in the Senate.

"There's been tremendous support," said Illinois State University senior Scott Preston. "It's been a great mobility tool for the student body."

In the months since Gov. Pat Quinn approved the state budget that cut funding for the MAP grants in half, pressure from students and others had been building on state officials to come up with more money.

"If they don't get it, we're going to be losing students," said Eastern Illinois University senior Matthew Pickham, who was on hand for the rally.

Students were grateful for the action, but some remained concerned how the state would pay for the program.

Republicans, many of whom represent university towns, also were concerned about how the program would be funded. But, they ultimately voted to pay for the grants.

"Is this like writing a check with no money in the account?" asked state Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro.

Democrats, who control the House and Senate, say Quinn can use discretionary money.

Quinn said he would scour special state funds in search of dollars to finance the grants. He said he hopes lawmakers will approve some kind of tax hike after Jan. 1, when fewer votes are needed for passage.

"This is part of our challenge," said Quinn, who has said a $1 per pack hike on cigarette taxes could help pay for the program.

Republicans wanted to allow individuals and businesses behind on their income taxes to pay them without penalty, hoping to generate $100 million to pay for the scholarships.

Though lawmakers basically decided to fund the MAP program Wednesday, students lobbied at the Capitol throughout the day Thursday.

The lone lawmaker voting against the MAP plan was state Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline. He said Quinn already had leeway in the budget to pay for the scholarships, and the measure approved "doesn't create money" for the grants.

"I'm just done participating in the phoniness government has become," Jacobs said.

The legislation authorizing payment for the scholarships is Senate Bill 1180. The Republican plan to come up with the money is House Bill 4622.