A new National College Access Network (NCAN) report shows that affordability is decreasing at two- and four-year public institutions across the U.S. According to “The Growing Gap: Public Higher Education’s Declining Affordability for Low-Income Students,” just 48% of community colleges were affordable for the average Pell Grant recipient in 2016-17, while only 27% of four-year…
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More than $30,000 in FAFSA Completion Scholarships Awarded to Hillsborough, PInellas Students As students say goodbye to high school this week and the idea of being “done” begins to sink in, the excitement of what lies ahead will inevitably mix with the practical: “meeting” roommates online; buying sheets and a mini-fridge for a dorm room;…
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Today’s blog post comes from Taylor Aguilera, a tenacious first-generation college student and working mom of two. Taylor will graduate in December from Hillsborough Community College with her Associate of Science degree in Paralegal Studies. Our goal is to highlight other students, community volunteers, donors and higher education advocates in the future, in order to…
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The Florida College Access Network (FCAN) has wrapped up the 2019 Florida FAFSA Challenge, a statewide campaign to increase the number of high school seniors completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). According to FCAN, through the end of March, 72 schools representing 27 counties across Florida met the campaign’s goal to increase…
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Image credit: St. Pete Catalyst Dr. Tonjua Williams, president of St. Petersburg College and member of LEAP Tampa Bay’s vision council, recently shared her thoughts on improving workforce readiness in Tampa Bay. During the March Vinoy Business Alliance luncheon, Williams presented her plan to create an “integrated educational ecosystem” in Pinellas county, focused on connecting…
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Public high schools around the Tampa Bay area are participating in a challenge to increase completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – hosting financial aid awareness events, working with students and parents one-on-one, and helping to identify students who need to correct errors on their form that could prevent them from…
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Opening today at Largo High School and later this spring at Armwood High School in Seffner, LEAP 4 College Centers will offer personalized college and career planning assistance to students. Trained volunteers will help students identify career interests and navigate the options for education and training after high school. Students can get help with tasks…
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Three Tampa Bay area colleges – the University of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College and St. Petersburg College – are offering multiple “FAFSA completion scholarships” for Hillsborough and Pinellas high school students who have submitted their 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The scholarships will be awarded through drawings held in April. To be…
Read MoreLEAP Tampa Bay recently released new data that uncovers what the greatest factors are in regards to postsecondary access and attainment in Pinellas County. Kimberly Lent, senior research associate at Florida College Access Network, and Stacy Baier, president of the Pinellas Education Foundation, spoke with WUSF News about the report, the state of educational achievement…
Read MoreThis report looks at a wide range of statistics on how well Pinellas County students are doing and how many are going on to earn a college degree or credential. On July 16, 2018 more than 60 community leaders will gather to look at all the data, share their insights and offer priorities for…
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