On May 25, 2016, in News Releases, by Staff
Orlando, Fla. – Today, during the Degrees to Jobs Summit, Governor Scott issued the “Finish in Four, Save More” Challenge to encourage universities and colleges to help full time students graduate with an affordable degree in four years to avoid additional costs and fees. Currently, only 44 percent of undergraduate students at state universities graduate within four years and 71 percent of students are graduating with four year degrees within six years. Florida’s undergraduate students spend over $17,000 each year on their education and living expenses. Those completing their degrees in four years will avoid this added cost, as well as the approximate cost of missed income, which is a total savings of more than $50,000 a year.
Governor Rick Scott said, “Florida’s students should have every opportunity to earn a degree without bearing the burden of excessive costs and fees. As part of our ‘Finish in Four, Save More’ Challenge, I am calling on universities and colleges to remove fees for online classes. Many students work and go to school full time and they should not be penalized for choosing to take online classes which can be more convenient than driving to campus. In fact, online education should cost less. I am also once again proposing to expand the Bright Futures Scholarship to cover summer classes and I am challenging every university and college president to urge the Legislature to pass this during the next legislative session. We don’t want our students graduating with mountains of debt and our institutions have to do all they can to give students the flexibility to graduate within four years and get a good-paying job.”
Governor Scott’s “Finish in Four, Save More” Challenge Encourages Universities and Colleges to:
- Remove all additional fees for online classes. These fees can be up to $100 per credit hour at many of Florida’s state universities. That means for an average three credit class, students can pay upwards of $300 dollars;
- Tell incoming freshmen when they are picking their majors and scheduling their classes the amount of money they will save if they graduate in four years;
- Urge the Legislature to expand Bright Futures to cover summer classes to give students more flexibility to graduate in four years. Governor Scott will once again propose this during the next legislative session;
- Ensure students get credit for college and AP courses taken during high school; and
- Make it easier for students to get class credit for internships in their fields, which puts students on the path to getting a good paying job.
