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New program seeks to help people saddled with student debt; 2.4 million Floridians owe $85.5 billion

New program seeks to help people saddled with student debt; 2.4 million Floridians owe $85.5 billion

Amid growing national concerns over student debt, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court that covers Central Florida is starting a new program intended to help borrowers more quickly pay back student loans and navigate repayment options. The program is for people who have filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which enables debtors with regular income in 35 counties, stretching from Duval to Collier, to develop a plan to repay all or part of their debts. More from the Orlando Sentineland First Coast News.

 

See also:
» How student loans are making some people abandon their dreams
» Florida ranked among states with the least student debt

Florida school grades released: 'A' grades increase, number of ’F’ schools declines in 2018-19 ratings

Florida’s public schools earned more As and Bs and fewer Cs, Ds and Fs in 2019 as the state released its annual school report card, touting “monumental improvement." Compared with last year, the school grades were higher, with 63 percent earning As or Bs and more than 80 percent of F-rated schools in 2018 improving their marks this year, according to the Florida Department of Education More from the Orlando Sentinel and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

See also:
» 'Broken accountability system': Education association criticizes state K-12 school grades

Florida to offer top-rated teachers $15,000 bonuses if they work in D-and-F schools

Florida teachers with “proven records of success” will be eligible for new bonuses of up to $15,000 if they work in the state’s neediest schools with D and F grades, the Florida Department of Education announced. The bonuses would be paid for out of a nearly $16 million federal grant the department said it receives annually to help boost achievement in Florida’s lowest-performing schools. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

See also:
» New Florida Virtual School leader to earn $175,000

College and university presidents are taking in big bucks, from base pay to bonuses and perks

From base pay and hefty bonuses to lucrative perks such as retirement plans and housing and auto benefits, chief executives at public and private colleges are enjoying pay packages worth millions — or at least hundreds of thousands of dollars. The highest pay package in Florida – $1.13 million — went to W. Kent Fuchs, president of the University of Florida in Gainesville. [Source: Florida Phoenix]

Lottery Week: Florida Lottery celebrates billions donated to education in Florida

The Florida Lottery says billions of dollars have been contributed to education in Florida since 1988. They say that over the years, the Florida Lottery has been dependable funding source for education, contributing more than $35 billion. "Our contributions to Florida communities go far beyond the numbers," said Florida Lottery Secretary Jim Poppell. "Through the Bright Futures Scholarship and enhancements to education, we are able to create opportunities for students all across Florida." [Source: ]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Researchers awarded $233.6 million, breaking FSU's single-year funding record
Florida State University researchers received a record level of funding from federal, state and private sources in the 2019 fiscal year, bringing in $233.6 million to the university to support investigations into areas such as health sciences, high energy physics and marine biology. This is a $7 million increase over the prior fiscal year.

› University of North Florida tackles skills gap with coding bootcamp
The University of North Florida is partnering with coding bootcamp Fullstack Academy to offer skills training for jobs in programming and the tech field. Starting in October, the UNF Coding Bootcamp will be a non-credit, part-time program, designed to make technology education more accessible in the region.

› The New York Mets choose Keiser University's Port St. Lucie campus as 2019 draft headquarters
Major league baseball team, the New York Mets, with long ties to the Treasure Coast and Keiser University through the local organization, selected the Port St. Lucie campus as its 2019 draft headquarters. The first week of June is one of the most anticipated weeks for many high school and college baseball players.

› Florida public schools must now teach at least 5 hours of mental health classes
The new requirement will require students to take courses aimed at helping them to identify the signs and symptoms of mental illness, find resources if they are battling with depression or other issues and teach them how to help peers who are struggling with a mental health disorder. See the annoucement here.