Florida Bright Futures college scholarships and costs expected to rise

| 12/13/2018

As participation in Bright Futures increases, so will state costs

More Florida students are expected to take advantage of beefed-up scholarship programs that help pay for tuition, fees and books at state universities and colleges. The number of students awarded Bright Futures scholarships, the state’s main merit-based aid program, is now projected to grow by 5.7 percent this academic year for a total of 99,483 students. Next year, costs are expected to rise another 7 percent. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the Gainesville Sun.

The All Children’s doctor leading USF’s consolidation has resigned. Now what?

A week ahead of its next meeting, the team leading the University of South Florida's efforts to consolidate appears to be without a leader. Dr. Jonathan Ellen, named chairman of USF's consolidation task force in March, stepped down as CEO of Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital on Tuesday. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

State board to consider Education Commissioner

With Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis calling for the appointment of former House Speaker Richard Corcoran, the State Board of Education will meet next week and consider naming a new Education Commissioner. The board has scheduled a meeting Dec. 17 in Tallahassee. [Source: Florida Politics ]

Opinion: Florida universities are building momentum on research

Great university systems have outstanding research prowess, and Florida is working hard to elevate its national research profile to the very top echelon. This is a big opportunity for growth in Florida, and momentum is on our side. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat ]

Report: Florida schools fail to report many crimes to state

From rapes to arsons to guns, Florida’s school districts are hiding countless crimes that take place on campus, defying state laws and leaving parents with the false impression that children are safer than they are. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the AP.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Miami-Dade Schools, teachers union make a pay deal capped by surprise bonus in January [Miami Herald]
Never before had Miami-Dade County Public Schools and United Teachers of Dade negotiated with over $200 million for instructional personnel — a sum generously approved by voters who said yes to paying more in taxes, largely for teacher pay.

› Florida A&M University earns accreditation for the next 10 years [Tallahassee Democrat]
Since March, Florida A&M University administrators had a strong indication the institution would have its accreditation reaffirmed for another 10 years. On Tuesday, the news was confirmed following a vote of the Board of Trustees of The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, who met in New Orleans.

› Redesigned Florida license plate launched to support public schools [WLRN]
A fresh redesign of the ‘Support Education’ specialty license plate was released Tuesday statewide. It's the first update to the plate since it first launched 25 years ago. When a Florida resident purchases or renews this specialty tag, proceeds go directly back to support public schools and classrooms in the county where the tag is registered.

› UCF invests $40 million in new scholarship fund to help students graduate [WKMG]
The University of Central Florida on Wednesday announced a record $40 million investment in a new scholarship fund designed to help students graduate in four years and reduce student loan debt.

Tags: Education eNews

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