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CS/SB 1272 — Educational Grants
by Appropriations Committee and Senators Simon, Powell, Gruters, Garcia, and Perry
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Education Postsecondary Committee (HE)
The bill creates a postsecondary educational grant under the William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) Grant Program.
The bill requires the Florida Department of Education (DOE) to issue a grant to any full-time, degree-seeking, and Florida resident undergraduate student in a baccalaureate degree program at an independent nonprofit university that was formerly eligible for the Access to Better Learning and Education (ABLE) Grant Program, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, has been located in Florida for more than 20 years, and offers specified nursing programs at its Florida campus.
The bill requires the DOE to issue a grant to any full-time, degree-seeking, and Florida resident undergraduate student in a baccalaureate degree program at an independent for-profit college or university that is located in and charted by Florida, is accredited by an accrediting agency or association recognized by the database created and maintained by the United States Department of Education, was licensed by the DOE before October 1, 2021, and has Level 6 accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The bill requires institutions wanting to participate to provide a one-time notice to the DOE, and prescribes criteria relating to grant awards, remittance of undisbursed funds, and reporting for participating institutions.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect upon becoming law.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 114-0