Florida College Access Network

FCAN’s director of research and policy, Dave Sobush, joined Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SASFAA) to talk about Florida’s FAFSA completion rates, degree attainment trends, the SAIL to 60 Goal, and more.

Listen to the conversation here and thanks Fasfaa Home for a fantastic conference: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s3-e13-day-one-in-the-sun-and-an-awesome-listener-contest/id1807406753?i=1000772231234

Join FCAN on Tuesday, June 23 for our upcoming webinar on the 2026 Florida Legislative Session. Hear about Florida’s postsecondary education bills that were passed and a breakdown of major higher education budget items.

Bring your questions and learn more about higher education legislation that will impact Florida’s students.

📅 Tuesday, June 23, 3 – 4 PM ET

🔗 Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CC_hsyn9SumRjicvcoChGw

At Fred K. Marchman Technical College in Pasco County, Director Tonia Shook has implemented innovative strategies that have expanded access to workforce training, strengthened career pathways, and built impactful community partnerships that support student success.

Because of these efforts, Tonia was recognized at the Talent Strong Florida Summit as FCAN’s 2026 Workforce Education Innovator.

Read more about her work and how she's shaping the future of workforce education across Florida: https://floridacollegeaccess.org/initiatives/transforming-workforce-pathways-tonia-shook-recognized-as-fcans-2026-workforce-education-innovator/

Florida lawmakers passed a $114.5 billion budget, a 3.9% reduction from last year’s, supporting a variety of new and continued initiatives.

FCAN’s new budget recap outlines key appropriations that will impact Florida students’ postsecondary access and success, including continued investment in financial aid programs, changes to university out-of-state fees, and funding to expand the Guardian Program to state college and university campuses.

The budget awaits the Governor’s signature and will take effect July 1, 2026, pending any line-item vetoes.

Read more:https://floridacollegeaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-Florida-Legislative-Session-Budget-Recap.pdf

Students still have time to complete the FAFSA!

Learn more about FAFSA tips, financial aid opportunities, and resources available for students and families with Heart of Florida United Way and upliftED Central Florida. ⬇️

Experts share financial tips for high school graduates, students this summer Leaders from Heart of Florida United Way share advice on FAFSA, financial aid, and avoiding common money mistakes for recent high school graduates.

Surrounded by families, local partners, and community leaders, Alachua County students gathered in Gainesville to celebrate their plans after graduation at the the Greater Gainesville Chamber Foundation’s annual College Decision Day event.

Ian Fletcher, the chamber’s interim managing director and the driving force behind the Gainesville Local College Access Network, built this event around a simple conviction: celebrating a student’s college decision is community business, not just school business.

Read more about how the community came together to recognize students and their next steps: https://floridacollegeaccess.org/initiatives/gainesville-college-decision-day/

Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce

Earlier this month at the Talent Strong Florida summit, FCAN recognized Anita Herrera as the 2026 College Ready Florida Innovator.

Serving as Assistant Director of Tutor Corps, High School at the Guadalupe Center, her commitment to college and career readiness and leadership in FCAN’s statewide initiatives has created a comprehensive support system that guides students from ninth grade through graduation.

Read more about how her work transforms the lives of students and families by expanding opportunities and creating a strong college-going culture: https://floridacollegeaccess.org/initiatives/building-pathways-to-success-anita-herrera-recognized-as-fcans-2026-college-ready-florida-innovator/

Last month, dozens of educators, employers, healthcare partners and community leaders gathered in Hernando County for Talent Strong Pasco Hernando, a regional convening hosted by the Spark Pasco Hernando College Access Network and FCAN with support from Helios Education Foundation.

At the event, attendees learned how the region’s postsecondary enrollment rate is 48%, but a 10% increase in college enrollment could generate $131 million in fiscal value and $304 million in social value for the Spark region annually.

This event was part of Talent Strong Florida, a statewide campaign to help Florida reach 60% postsecondary attainment by 2030.

Read more: https://floridacollegeaccess.org/news/pasco-and-hernando-counties-answer-the-call-at-talent-strong-breakfast/

"I was a freshman and a junior at the same time." That line from a Florida university student gets at something a new report from Helios Education Foundation and FSU Anne's College set out to examine: what students who accelerate in high school experience once they get to college.

The findings confirm real benefits to pathways like dual enrollment, AP, IB and AICE: lower costs, faster time to degree, strong academic preparation. They also point to opportunities for institutions to better support students who arrive with significant prior credit: stronger advising, earlier engagement with career and campus resources, and systems designed for students whose academic standing doesn't always match their developmental stage.

As more Florida students take advantage of accelerated pathways, the question is how institutions can make sure the advantages translate into the best possible college experience. Read more at link below.

A Freshman and a Junior at the Same Time | Helios Education Foundation “A Freshman and a Junior at the Same Time” examines how accelerated students experience college differently.