Florida’s 28 colleges will receive over $1 million in scholarships
On behalf of the Florida College System Foundation, today Education Commissioner Pam Stewart presented Florida State College at Jacksonville President Dr. Cynthia Bioteau with a check for $50,772 to benefit first-generation students and students pursuing careers in health care.
“The demand for talented health care professionals continues to grow throughout our state and nation, and we take every opportunity to help first-generation students succeed,” Commissioner Stewart said. “These scholarships are essential to helping students achieve their career goals and to meeting workforce needs. I applaud the Florida College System Foundation for prioritizing first-generation students and students pursuing careers in health care, and I am honored to take part in this check presentation.”
Each year, scholarships funded by the Helios Education Foundation, Florida Blue and Bank of America focus on relieving the national nursing shortage and helping students who are the first in their family to attend college. The scholarships will help add nurses and allied health professionals that reflect Florida’s diverse population while meeting critical workforce needs.
“More than 60% of students enrolled in the Florida College System are part-time students balancing life and work while pursuing their degree”, says Madeline Pumariega, Chancellor for the Florida College System. “These scholarships provided by the Florida College System Foundation, with business partners like Helios Education Foundation, Florida Blue and Bank of America, are essential for many of our students, especially first generation students. Florida’s colleges produce more than 4,500 registered nurses each year, and this is just another great opportunity for students to pursue their dreams, earn a great career while meeting a critical nursing workforce need in the state of Florida.”
“Florida Blue and the Florida Blue Foundation believe that nursing plays a vital role in the safety and quality of patient care,” said Velma Monteiro-Tribble, Director Florida Blue Foundation and Florida State College at Jacksonville Foundation Board Member. “We have been committed since 2003 and remain steadfast in our support of nursing education and the nursing profession. We are pleased to partner with the Florida College System Foundation to continue these nursing scholarships, to ensure that there is a qualified and diverse nursing workforce in the state of Florida.”
“An investment in Florida’s students is an investment in the state’s future workforce,” said Paul Luna, President & CEO, Helios Education Foundation. “Helios Education Foundation is proud to partner with the Florida College System Foundation to ensure more students, particularly first-generation students, experience the transformational power of education and are positioned for success in career and in life.”
“The funds we received today from the Florida College System Foundation will make a significant impact in helping our health care students fund their education as they devote their futures to taking care of others,” said FSCJ President Dr. Cynthia Bioteau. “Providing affordable and accessible educational opportunities is one of the most important things we, as a College, can do as an essential pipeline for developing skilled health care workers. We take this responsibility very seriously and are fortunate to receive these funds to help contribute to the long-term success of our students.”
This year, the Florida College System Foundation will award more than $1 million in scholarship funds to Florida’s 28 colleges through the state. Students may apply for scholarships through their local college foundation and/or financial aid office. Eligibility criteria are based on local college requirements.
For more information about the scholarships, visit Florida College System Foundation.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.
