Latest news with #EffectiveAccesstoStudentEducation
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House proposes tighter restrictions on private higher-education vouchers
University of Miami campus, via UM Nearly 22,000 private college and university students, including Floridians attending the University of Miami, will go without a longtime state scholarship if the House of Representatives has its way. Some of Florida's private colleges and universities are raising concerns about the House's proposed budget, which would restrict the state's Effective Access to Student Education award, also known as EASE, which provides $3,500 to Florida students attending private institutions. The House budget proposal, which at $113 billion is $4.4 billion less than the Senate's, calls for schools to meet benchmarks related to graduation and affordability set by the state to be eligible to receive EASE money. The Senate budget does not propose metric requirements. Bob Boyd, president of Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida, called the metrics 'arbitrary.' The University of Miami, University of Tampa, and Bethune-Cookman University are among the 15 schools that would be ineligible to receive EASE money if the language is included in the final budget. ICUF estimates about 22,000 students would lose EASE funding. The EASE grant, established in 1979, is similar to the recently expanded K-12 voucher program in that taxpayer money is used to pay for private school tuition. The House budget would provide $135.9 billion for the program in the coming fiscal year, in line with current year funding of $134.8 billion. Mike Allen, president of Barry University in Miami Shores, said the proposal 'doesn't track' with the Legislature's 'priorities around school choice that have been made very, very clear.' Republican Rep. Demi Busatta, chair of the House Higher Education Budget subcommittee, said she is 'always open to having a discussion' when asked whether she was open to a glide path to implement the metrics. 'I think the most important thing is that the money per student is the same. It has not decreased. We have not changed it,' Busatta said, adding that change would not affect students' eligibility for Bright Futures scholarships. She said she has had 'many meetings' with ICUF and its institutions including UM, and other stakeholders. 'There's institutions out there that have a 14- or 15% graduation rate. We want to make sure that students aren't going, getting into debt when they are not having the best opportunity to be set up for success at that institution.' ICUF data show some of its member institutions have four-year graduation rates as low as Busatta suggested, including Webber International University, Barry University, and Bethune-Cookman University. Republican Rep. Mike Caruso, vice chair of the subcommittee, told the Phoenix he is against the private institution restrictions in the House budget proposal as well as the $5 billion cut to the overall budget. 'I think it's a trickle down from the proposed budget cut of $5 billion from leadership that's working its way down through the different silos and things are going to suffer as a result,' Caruso said Tuesday. Caruso said the 'big hand of the state puts their foot down on just about everything.' 'These private universities serve a purpose, a tremendous role in the way that we have education, and the EASE program helps to facilitate it. I don't like these restrictions, we put our hand into everything and we continue to do that,' Caruso said. According to ICUF, its institutions produce 28% of nursing degrees and 25% of teaching degrees in the state. 'The ripple effect can occur in many directions and in many ways, but certainly one will be that this will really limit our ability, particularly here in South Florida, to provide basic services that people need to live here, and I think that would really affect folks,' Allen said, adding that several of the private schools train nurses, a field the state has focused on bolstering amid a shortage. Hospitals are 'in a panic about the inability to find enough nurses to staff their hospitals,' Allen said. 'When it comes to the EASE grants, they are essential for thousands of our Florida students,' Caruso said, adding that the language 'may be cracking down on the universities, but what we're really hurting is the students themselves, and those students are the future nurses, the future technicians, the future of our state.' The House proposal would require schools to have graduation rates of at least 54%, retention rates of at least 67%, and affordability rates of $6,183, among other measurements. Private institution presidents told reporters Monday that factors unique to each university could unfairly exempt students, including how the state calculates accessibility and how it considers graduation rates and course drops when students transfer. Rep. Gallop Franklin, Democratic ranking member on the House Higher Education Budget subcommittee, told the Phoenix implementing changes to EASE should be more 'methodical.' Franklin said the proposal would affect 22,000 students instantly and result in immediate costs spikes on students. Franklin suggested grandfathering people in and having conversations with institutions to minimize disruption, or to offer less than $3,500 for the coming year if there are budgetary concerns. Franklin said he is not sure that the government should 'be in the space of saying, 'Hey, we're only going to allow you to take your voucher to certain schools.'' Tightening EASE disbursements is part of House Speaker Daniel Perez's budget, which is lower than the current year's budget, and comes amid talk of cutting the sales tax by 0.75%. Boyd complained the state is using 'arbitrary metrics with arbitrary percentages to implement a budget cut — that's the way I look at it.' David Armstrong, president of St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, said supporting private schools helps keep students in Florida. 'The fact that the Florida state schools are ranked Number One in the country is fantastic for all of us as the citizens of the state, but who has picked up the role as the access schools?' Armstrong said. 'In our state, it's the community college system and the smaller private institutions that are enrollment-driven. Now that works out fine, because that's a part of our mission, serving those who are underserved.' Lawmakers will debate the budget Wednesday before heading into negotiations with the Senate. 'I think most of our institutions will survive. It's the impact on the students. Because this is a voucher program. This is not a grant to the institution. This is a direct dollar, per dollar, to that student to go to school and use for their education,' said Art Keiser, chancellor of Keiser University in Fort Lauderdale. AdventHealth University Ave Maria University Barry University Bethune-Cookman University Edward Waters University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Florida Memorial University Keiser University Lynn University Saint Leo University St. Thomas University University of Miami University of Tampa Warner University Webber International University SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida college leaders concerned over possible changes to student EASE grants
Private college leaders in Florida are concerned about a House plan that could limit access to the Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) grant. EASE gives some private school students $3,500 toward tuition. Under the proposal, schools would have to meet new benchmarks like graduation rates and cost of attendance. Potentially impacting more than 21,000 students statewide. 'The purpose of EASE was to create access for students to go into our institutions, because the publics can't serve every student in Florida, and they can't produce every degree that Florida needs,' said Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida President Bob Boyd. The House and Senate will start negotiations on their budget plans starting Wednesday. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Miami Herald
08-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Cutting EASE grants for low-income students will hurt South Florida's economy
Every day in the halls of Barry University in Miami Shores, I meet students whose lives are being transformed by having access to higher education. Barry is more than a college campus. We are a workforce engine, a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), and a private, nonprofit university dedicated to serving students from all backgrounds, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. That's why the proposed cuts by the Florida Legislature to the Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) grant jeopardize our community. The EASE grant is a state-funded program that provides tuition assistance to more than 40,000 Florida residents attending eligible private and nonprofit colleges and universities. Students are eligible to receive $3,500 every semester. For many of these students the EASE grant bridges the financial gap. Without it, their dreams of obtaining a degree may be out of reach. On Monday, I was among a group of Florida college and university leaders who met to discuss the recent Florida House budget proposal to trim $4 billion from higher education for state students, particularly those who use the EASE grants. House Speaker Daniel Perez of Miami has signaled that his initial budget will include reductions across the board,, including education. No specific figures have not been disclosed, the potential impact on students attending private institutions, including faith-based universities, could be devastating. The EASE grant supports student choice and economic mobility by following the student, much like a K-12 voucher, allowing families to choose the institution that best fits their needs. For many, that choice is Barry University, where students benefit from personalized support and a mission-driven education. This year alone, more than 1,000 Barry students relied on EASE funding to make their education goals possible. Almost 200 of those students received support through EASE Plus, which offers targeted support to those in high-demand fields. These are South Florida's future nurses, teachers, technology leaders, entrepreneurs, and social workers. Cutting this support will exacerbate shortages in critical sectors that Florida urgently needs to fill. Without EASE, many of them would have to put their dreams and their degrees on hold. The proposed introduction of eligibility metrics unevenly and harshly punishes students who attend institutions like Barry, which operates efficiently and serves students who may not thrive in large university environments. Incidentally, students at other South Florida universities, including the University of Miami, St. Thomas University and Florida Memorial University also would be excluded from funding based on the proposed metric system. Reducing support for programs like EASE would shrink the pipeline of graduates entering high-demand fields and weaken South Florida's economic growth. The data speaks for itself. Barry and 30 other members of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF) produce degrees at 26% less cost than state universities. Our average cost per credit hour is also lower. And for every $1 million invested in institutions like ours, Florida sees $14.5 million in return through degrees earned, jobs created and local contributions that fuel our economy. We take great pride in our students, especially knowing that 82% of EASE recipients throughout the state stay here in Florida after graduation to work, serve, and lead their communities. EASE is a vital part of their journey. Taking the grant away would hurt students and South Florida's economic growth and future. If we want to build a skilled and robust workforce in Florida, it starts with making sure students have access to the opportunities they've worked hard to earn. Lawmakers should protect, preserve and ultimately enhance the EASE program because when students thrive, our community does as well. Mike Allen is the president of Barry University in Miami Shores.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers, don't take away college choice from Florida students
Florida has long been a national leader in expanding educational choice, especially at the K-12 level, where policymakers have championed the right of families to select schools that best meet their children's needs. However, when it comes to higher education, that same commitment to choice is under threat. Florida House leadership has proposed steep cuts to the Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) grant — a modest but vital source of support that helps more than 40,000 Florida students who attend one of 30 private, nonprofit, colleges or universities in Florida that best fit their needs. The EASE grant is not a luxury — it is a vital access grant that levels the playing field for university students — recent high school graduates to adult learners and first-generation college students — who have selected a private university because of their small class sizes, flexible learning environments, and mission-driven faculty. If House leadership gets their way, students attending 15 of the 30 Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF) would lose this $3,500 grant. This includes students from some of Florida's top private universities including the University of Miami, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Keiser University. It also includes students from Catholic Institutions like Barry University and St. Thomas University; and HBCUs like Florida Memorial University, Edward Waters College, and Bethune-Cookman University. This is not just bad news for Florida's college students, but it's a major step backward for workforce development and economic growth in Florida. Students from Florida's private colleges are essential to Florida's economy. They become nurses, teachers, engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and public servants. They stay in Florida, build careers, raise families, and contribute to their communities. Cutting the EASE grant not only harms students, it risks slowing the talent pipeline that powers our state's future — a potentially disastrous outcome given Florida's continued growth. Most ICUF schools are smaller and offer more personalized experiences for students. Rarely, if ever, will you find an ICUF institution with classes full of hundreds of students. For adult learners, disadvantage population, and veterans, ICUF schools serve a critical benefit to help them achieve their educational and career goals. At Keiser University, 68 percent of students have previously attended a state university or college only to find the the institution was unable to support their unique needs. Florida's independent colleges and universities are some of the state's most efficient engines of workforce development. For every $1 million in state support, ICUF institutions graduate 277 bachelor's degree recipients. In contrast, the State University System produces just 17 graduates per $1 million. And while private institutions don't receive state subsidies to freeze tuition, they still offer quality education at a lower total cost to students and taxpayers than many public institutions. Educational choice should not end at high school graduation. If Florida is truly committed to empowering students through access to quality higher educational opportunities and strengthening its workforce, it must protect the EASE grant. I urge our legislators to reconsider these proposed cuts. And I encourage all Floridians — especially families, business leaders, and alumni who've benefited from these institutions — to contact their representatives and speak up in support of access, opportunity, and choice. Arthur Keiser is the chancellor of Keiser University. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Lawmakers, help Florida college student with EASE grants | Opinion
Miami Herald
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Legislators, please don't cut the Florida grant that funds my college dream
As a first-generation Hispanic college student from Kendall, every step I take in my education reflects my family's sacrifices and dreams. The journey to pursue my bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) at Keiser University has been a profound mix of challenges and enriching experiences, a testament to the sacrifices my Cuban family has made for my education. These sacrifices are not just financial but emotional and physical, as my family has supported me through every step of this journey. Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Tallahassee during Keiser's Day at the Capitol. I met with state representatives and senators to share what the Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) grant means to me and thousands of students across Florida. It was a powerful moment that underscored the impact of our voices, especially when we're advocating for our education and future. Now, the Florida House is proposing significant cuts to the EASE grant — a vital funding program that provides tuition assistance to Florida residents attending private, nonprofit institutions that are part of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF). The proposed cuts could strip this vital support from students at 15 of the 30 participating schools, affecting over half of the students who rely on this support. This cut includes three of Florida's four historically Black colleges and universities, seven religious institutions and every private college in Miami-Dade. The EASE grant may only be $3,500 per student, but for over 40,000 Florida residents — including me — it's a lifeline. It's not about privilege; it's about access. EASE empowers students to choose schools that align with their learning needs and career goals rather than being forced into a one-size-fits-all option due to cost. Personally, EASE helped me afford tuition and textbooks, making it possible for me to attend Keiser, where I found the supportive, personalized learning environment I needed to succeed. Keiser offers what I was missing at a large public university: smaller class sizes, professors who know my name and a sense of community. Before transferring, I often felt lost in crowded lecture halls and disconnected from faculty, which hurt my motivation and confidence. At Keiser, that changed. I found a place where I felt seen, supported, and valued — an experience that has transformed my education. Beyond individual stories, the EASE grant supports a diverse range of students — adult learners, working parents and those balancing multiple responsibilities. Especially in demanding programs like nursing, the flexibility and encouragement offered by schools like Keiser are critical to student success. Though EASE represents a small portion of the state budget, its personal and economic return is immense. Looking past the individual impact of EASE, the return on investment is undeniable. For every $1 spent on EASE, Florida gets back $3.83 in economic value. The grant supports over 79,000 jobs and contributes $10.1 billion annually to Florida's economy. ICUF institutions like Keiser graduate 277 bachelor's degree students for every $1 million in state investment — compared to just 17 from public universities. The impact of these cuts would be devastating, leading to potential tuition increases, program cuts and even closures of some institutions. This would not only disrupt the education of thousands of students but also threaten the existence of these institutions and the communities they serve. Despite all this, the EASE grant is at risk. I love this state. I want to stay, serve and give back to the community that raised me. However, cuts to the EASE grant would make that path significantly more challenging for me and tens of thousands of students working hard toward meaningful careers in healthcare, education, and other critical fields. Florida's growth depends on an educated, diverse, and passionate workforce. The EASE grant is one of the best, most effective tools we have to build that future. I hope that our lawmakers choose to protect it. Liliana Marquez is an undergraduate student at Keiser University Miami earning a bachelor's degree in nursing.
