Gov. Scott Announces More Colleges In $10K Degree Challenge
MIAMI (CBSMiami) — Governor Rick Scott's plan to make college more affordable in the state of Florida moved forward Monday when 11 additional state colleges accepted his challenge to develop four-year degrees that would cost no more than $10,000.
To date, all of the 23 institutions in the Florida College System that offer baccalaureate degrees have announced their support to Governor Scott's higher education affordability challenge.
Representatives from Miami Dade College, Polk State College, Edison State College, Florida Gateway College. Florida State College of Jacksonville, Gulf Coast State College, Indian River State College, Lake-Sumter State College, Pensacola State College, St. Johns River State College and the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota have contacted the Florida Department of Education to accept the Governor's challenge and identify which programs would be offered for $10,000 or less. Many of the programs would be in high-demand areas.
Brevard Community College, Broward College, Chipola College, College of Central Florida, Daytona State College, Northwest Florida State College, Palm Beach State College, Santa Fe College, Seminole State College, St. Petersburg College, South Florida State College and Valencia College previously accepted the Governor's $10,000 degree challenge.
Governor Scott said, "Higher education is key to helping our students succeed in the 21st century economy and to grow jobs in Florida. It is important our students can get an affordable education, and our state colleges have stepped up to the challenge to find innovative ways to provide a quality education at a great value. Our goal should be that students do not have to go into debt in order to obtain a degree - and today's announcement of nearly all of our state colleges meeting this challenge puts us closer to achieving that goal for our students and families."
Governor Scott first issued his $10k degree challenge last November and made today's announcement at Miami Dade College's North Campus while touring the college and learning about the $10k degrees the institution plans to offer.
Miami Dade College President Dr. Eduardo J. Padron said "Miami Dade College applauds Governor Scott for his leadership in advocating for greater access and affordability to higher education. We at MDC have long been committed to these goals and are pleased to unveil a 'Pathway to the Baccalaureate' initiative that will provide interested students the opportunity to complete one of the most affordable, high-quality workforce oriented bachelor's degrees in the nation."
