TALLAHASSEE, Fla.
Florida students whose parents do not have four-year college degrees could get need-based financial aid under a $6.5 million scholarship program recently signed into law.
Although students of any race can apply, lawmakers hope it will increase minority enrollment at Florida universities.
The Legislature passed the First Generation Matching Grant Program after Black enrollment declined last year at the state’s 11 public universities. Supporters say a disproportionate number of minority high school graduates cannot afford college.
Gov. Jeb Bush signed the bill into law during a ceremony at Florida A&M University, where students had worked with his office to help craft the legislation sponsored by Sen. Al. Lawson, D-Tallahassee.
Bush earlier in the week signed another bill that would create a similar program for community college students at a cost of $5 million.
“The work we’ve done thus far is good, but it is not by any means enough,” says FAMU graduate student Keneshia Grant. “Need-based aid must continue to increase every year.”
