Guest column: Don t limit college students access to choose
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Florida college students choice of educational institutions may be severely limited next fall if certain members of the Florida House of Representatives have their way. House Bill 5601 would limit students’ ability to access state funding when they choose to attend one of 30 Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF) which are private, not-for-profit SACS accredited institutions.
Under the House education bill, HB 5601, 16 of the 30 ICUF institutions would be ineligible to use the Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) Grant, formerly FRAG, to help pay for their college education. The Senate, led by President Wilton Simpson, conversely sees the value of EASE and has proposed to return it to a funding level of $3,500 per student. Passing this House legislation would affect students ability to finish their education, which could mean one less nurse or IT professional on the front lines of
Lawmakers set the table for conferences with House budget passage
Jay Trumbull. Image via House Media.
The House has a $97 billion budget that includes its plan to spend federal relief funds.
The House has passed its $97 billion budget for the coming fiscal year, setting the stage for lawmakers to negotiate the Legislature’s spending plan with the Senate.
The House voted 104-14 to
Florida’s 2021-22 budget will be heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped both chambers from proposing new programs and initiatives. To keep the “tighten our belts” theme, lawmakers are making several cuts to one-off projects and even recurring spending.
House passes changes in financial aid program
News Service of Florida
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida House on Thursday approved a measure that would lead to some private colleges and universities becoming ineligible for a program that provides financial assistance to students.
The House voted 81-36 to approve the bill (HB 5601), which has drawn debate because of proposed changes in the Effective Access to Student Education, or EASE, program.
The bill would add eligibility requirements for colleges and universities involving measurements such as graduation, retention and job-placement rates.
A House staff analysis last month said 16 of 34 institutions would lose eligibility to participate in the program if the bill passes.
Budget Update
Lawmakers moved closer this week to crafting a FY 2021-22 State
Budget. Senate and House full budget committees met this week
to pass their respective spending plans (SB 2500 and HB 5001) teeing them
up for debate, possible amendments, and passage on the full floor
of the chambers. Budget conference will be called subsequently to
hammer out remaining differences, including spending on education,
health care and the environment.
Currently the House spends $97.1 billion, while the Senate is
at $95 billion. Both chambers are proposing putting aside $5
billion for reserves. Although, COVID has taken a toll on budget
revenues over the last year, actual revenues have been consistently
Florida House and Senate move ahead with spending plans palmbeachpost.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from palmbeachpost.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.