Florida State University
PA-8: Affordability and Access

The Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) provides an alternative admissions system for low-income students graduating from a State high school. Students meeting low-income guidelines are admissible to FSU after meeting GPA and test score minimum levels which are lower than the general FSU Admissions criteria. Students admitted through CARE begin in the Summer Bridge Program, which is an effort to prepare them for the rigors of college learning, and ensure they learn how to best utilize institutional resources that promote retention. Students remain in CARE until they graduate from high school to further FSU’s commitment from access through to eventual college success. Students admitted through the CARE Summer Bridge Program who are first generation and Pell Grant eligible will qualify to receive the State sponsored first Generation Matching Grant. At FSU a decision was made to have this grant exclusive to CARE participants. It is $1,500 per fall and spring semester; is based upon financial need; and, is designed to help them avoid loan obligations.

Although specialized training is not provided for faculty in this area, CARE appoints summer faculty that work expressly with this student population in courses that teach critical thinking and diversity, as well as other general education/liberal studies courses. CARE also employs additional faculty and instructors throughout the year who teach small course sections for students during other academic terms. Their efforts have been refined by experience and commitment primarily. CARE also provides staff at FSU with informational workshops on working with CARE students, as well as programs and services at FSU to assist this student population.

CROP (College Reach-Out Program, administered by CARE) serves schools in Leon, Gadsden, and Wakulla counties. It is an educational and motivational program designed to help students prepare for a successful college education through supplemental academic and enrichment activities. Participants in CROP must be students in grades 6-12 who meet certain educational and economic criteria as set forth by the State of Florida. The Upward Bound Program (administered by CARE) serves high school students in Gadsden County. It is designed to enhance the academic and personal skills of high school students while preparing them for college admission, retention, and graduation. This unique opportunity supplements students’ regular high school curriculum and exposes students to cultural and career activities in an effort to prepare them for the academic rigor of higher education. The Community Human Services Partnership (CHSP) is a program to prepare students from Leon County for higher education. Students are connected to academic and enrichment programming to help them succeed in high school and effectively transition into higher education. SSTRIDE (Science Students Together Reaching Instructional Diversity & Excellence) is an outreach effort of the FSU College of Medicine with support from Florida's Area Health Education Centers. SSTRIDE's mission is to identify students who have a genuine interest in pursuing a career in science, engineering, mathematics, health, or medicine and to give those students the support services important for them to develop the sense of responsibility, focus and motivation necessary for success in their chosen fields. SSTRIDE has a college component for college and university students and a pre-college component for middle and high school students. The pre-college component is open to students from designated Florida middle and high schools in Leon, Gadsden, Madison and Okaloosa counties.

FSU offers the Pell Promise to all low-income students eligible for the Federal Pell grant. This guarantees that qualified students receive all tuition and fees from non-loan sources at FSU. In addition to the Federal Pell Grant and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, FSU also offers a differential fee grant and the FSU Grant to designated low-income students to help offset the cost of tuition. High achieving low-income students are also qualified to receive a four year grant to assist with tuition costs. CARE students have access to multiple scholarship opportunities. Scholarships range in amounts, and include funding to cover academic needs, books, tuition, and basic living expenses. The First-Generation Grant is available to CARE students ($3,000/year). CARE also provides a limited number of campus meal plans to students with severe unmet financial need.

CARE provides information sessions to parents of incoming CARE participants to inform them about housing, financial aid, and transition activities. In conjunction with the Office of New Student and Family Programs, a special Parent Orientation has been implemented to assist low-income parents with learning about the University, what their students can expect from studying at FSU, as well as an opportunity to ask questions to FSU officials. This orientation is an alternative to the longer sessions for general students, but provides these parents with the same information and sessions for free. CARE also hosts quarterly parent meetings for participants of CARE’s Pre-Collegiate Division programs (CROP and Upward Bound). These workshops focus on academic preparation for college admission, the college admission process, and financial aid procedures, and include guest speakers from the FSU community to assist with answering questions from parents.

The CARE Summer Bridge program is an alternative admission program for first-generation students who are disadvantaged by economic or educational circumstances. This high school-to-college bridge program is designed to help ease students’ adjustment to college life and build a foundation for academic success. The admissions decisions are made jointly between representatives of CARE, Office of Admissions, and Office of Financial Aid. The FSU Office of Admissions provides two CARE admissions officers who recruit students throughout the State. Their primary focus for CARE admissions is to visit schools throughout the State to recruit students from low-income backgrounds into CARE and FSU. CARE also provides on-campus tours for students from low-income backgrounds for pre-college support programs such as Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search. CARE staff also visit various high schools and community organizations throughout the State to inform them of the opportunity to apply and enroll at FSU through CARE.

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CARE provides students with a financial aid specialist for participants to assist with locating additional financial aid resources for college, understanding financial aid paperwork, creating and working within a budget, understanding basic money management skills, and assistance with locating internships/part-time job opportunities.

FSU provides a food pantry for students in need of food assistance.

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The FSU Child Development Center provides care for the young children of student parents so that they can pursue their studies knowing their children are safe and in a learning environment that, at its best, will promote life-long learning.

First generation programs - see above FSU provides a Veteran’s Center for student veterans to assist them with their transition and retention at FSU. Transfer students into the institution have a transfer student orientation, as well as engagement activities to help them transition and become involved on campus, such as the Transfer Student Leadership Summit.