OFFSET
HELPING STUDENTS TUITION BECOMES A PRIORITY
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college degree has never been more important to career success or harder for most U.S. students to afford.
Public funding for higher education has been on the decline over the last decade, prompting tuition hikes nationwide. Remarkably, the tuition at Florida’s universities remains low — Florida ranked 45th out of 50 states and the District of Columbia last fall. The state’s average $5,626 annual cost in tuition and fees is well below the national average of $8,244, and an even better bargain compared to other top public research universities, which average about $9,500 for tuition. The FSU College of Education (COE) makes tuition for its 40-plus programs even more affordable by providing more scholarship funding to its students than any other college at FSU. An online review of education scholarship funds available at the state’s 11 public universities shows the FSU COE outpacing its Florida peers also. During the 2012 academic
3 7 COE ANNUAL REPORT
year, education students could apply for more than 70 private scholarship funds at FSU compared to 41 funds apiece at the University of Florida and University of Central Florida. Each of the other eight public colleges or schools of education lists on its website fewer than 25 scholarship funds available. “Helping students offset tuition expenses through scholarship support is a priority for the College,” Dean Marcy Driscoll said. “We are committed to helping students with financial need by providing funding so that they don’t graduate under a mountain of debt, and we are very proud of our record in this regard.”
“Scholarships reward academic achievement or service and enable students with financial need to develop their gifts and experience careers and futures they might never have known.” Last year, 166 undergraduate and graduate students received scholarships. Applications as well as award amounts doubled from the previous year. The increase was the result of a longer application cycle and the first-ever COE Scholarships and Programs Open House.
The College of Education offers nearly $300,000 annually in scholarship and fellowship opportunities made possible by generous financial support from alumni and friends.
During the Open House, Office of Academic Services and Intern Support (OASIS) and COE Scholarship and Aid staff members answered questions about college admission requirements and scholarships. COE faculty members were also available to greet prospective students and explain their respective programs and research interests.
“We extend our thanks to the more than 1,300 donors who helped us offset tuition expenses for some very deserving students,” said Courtney Stombock, assistant dean for development.
“We appreciate the continued financial support from our alumni and friends, which allows us to recruit and retain the best and brightest students to carry on the torch for education,” Driscoll said.
BY AMBER SMALLEY
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