Florida State University
PA-8: Affordability and Access

The First Generation Matching Grant (FGEN) is a need-based award program offering grants to first degree seeking undergraduate students whose parents have not earned a Bachelor's degree. Awards range per academic year based on the availability of funds. Primary consideration is given to students who meet the following eligibility requirements: 1) Student is a participant in the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) program; 2) Demonstrates exceptional financial need; 3) Must be a Federal Pell grant recipient; 3) Student must be a first generation college student.

FSU operates multiple pre-college programs to prepare low-income students and families for higher education. The College Reach-Out Program (CROP) is an educational and motivational program designed to help students prepare for a successful college education. CROP is operated by the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE), and serves schools in Leon, Gadsden, and Duval counties. Participants in CROP must be students in 6-12th grades who meet educational and economic criteria established by the State of Florida. Economic guidelines include: “Received Public Assistance,” “Free and Reduced Lunch,” and “Orphan or Ward.”

The University Experience Program (UEP) is a free summer residential program that exposes high school students who participated in CROP to college life. During the UEP, students live on campus and attend various workshops about higher education, participate in cultural activities, tour the campus, and learn standardized test-taking strategies. Other activities hosted during the summer program in the past have included a community service project, a talent show, and a picnic.

The Upward Bound Program at Gadsden County High School has a long standing relationship in the community and has operated since 1989. Two additional new Upward Bound Programs, Upward Bound Jackson County and Upward Bound Math and Science Hamilton and Suwanee Valley were added to the pre-collegiate department this year. The Upward Bound Programs are designed to promote academic and eventual post-secondary success of traditionally underrepresented students. This unique opportunity exposes students to cultural and career activities and supplements their regular high school curriculum. There is no cost to the participants for the program.

The High School Partners Program aims to reduce the college access gap for historically underrepresented students at designated high schools in Duval, Gadsden, Leon, Liberty, and Orange counties.

The Educational Talent Search is a federally funded TRIO program designed to increase the number of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in and complete their postsecondary education. The program primarily supports middle and high school students in Bay, Holmes, Franklin, and Leon counties. Eligibility is determined according to federal guidelines.

CARE, the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement, operates to provide equity and access to students with identities traditionally underrepresented in higher education. CARE serves as partner for these students in navigating barriers that exist for them based on educational and socioeconomic circumstances.

CARE provides students with a full-time Financial Aid Specialist dedicated to assisting students and parents with financial aid matters. The CARE Financial Aid Specialist is responsible for researching, evaluating, and verifying the amount of financial aid awarded to each student, as well as assisting students with location of financial resources that can aid them in their college education.

FSU participates in the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant which are awarded to low-income, undergraduate, degree seeking students who have not obtained a bachelor’s or professional degree. FSU also provides a Differential Florida State University Grant which is awarded to degree seeking undergraduate students who meet university need guidelines. Awards range per academic year.

FSU's Student Support Services (SSS) program is one of the eight federally funded TRIO programs designed to improve student retention, graduation, financial literacy, and overall academic success rates. FSU SSS helps meet these goals by providing academic and engagement activities for qualified students throughout their enrollment at FSU. SSS is fully funded by the U.S. Department of Education. To qualify for the SSS program, students must meet Federal Income Guidelines to qualify as low income.

The Department of Student Support and Transitions runs a food pantry for currently enrolled students who are facing food insecurity. The pantry is partnered with Second Harvest of the Big Bend to keep the shelves and freezers stocked.

Round Up for FSU is a philanthropic initiative. Round Up for FSU was launched by Florida State University’s Office of Business Services in July 2016 Up for FSU gives customers at specific campus retail locations the opportunity to “Round Up” their purchases to the nearest quarter (25¢). The difference is automatically donated to the FSU Food for Thought Student Food Pantry.

The FSU Childcare and Early Learning Program cares for and nurtures young children of student parents, faculty and staff so they may pursue their studies, research and career goals knowing their children are in a safe environment that promotes life-long learning. The program provides high quality, early education and care to 133 children, ages 6 weeks to 4 years old. The center operates 44 weeks of the year on the University's academic calendar. The center is licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families and accredited by National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The Childcare Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant is a federal grant that supports the participation of low-income parents in post-secondary education through the provision of campus-based child care services. This grant allows campus-based childcare programs to offer reduced and sliding scale rates for Pell Grant eligible/recipient students and military-connected student parents, as well as additional childcare tuition discounts to low-income graduate student parents.

% sourced from 2022-2023 Common Dataset - Institutional Research