FSCJ Celebrates Heads Up America Initiative in Support of the College Promise Campaign

On Monday, April 25, 2016, FSCJ and other Heads Up America partners throughout the country are celebrating Take Action Day to raise awareness of the program and encourage conversations about helping students graduate without debt through increased public investment, paid internships and industry partnerships in community colleges.

“We all have a responsibility to support a long-term solution to the student debt crisis and advance the community college as a pathway to the American Dream,” said FSCJ President Dr. Cynthia Bioteau. “Offering debt-free community college for those who may not otherwise be able to attend is an investment in our future. America’s College Promise aims to help graduates achieve economic success and close the workforce skills gap, ultimately making businesses more productive and profitable. “

FSCJ is one of the most affordable options in the nation, with an annual average cost of $7,460, compared to the national average of $16,789, however, many students are still affected by financial barriers and depend on loans to help them pay for their education. In an effort to ease the burden, FSCJ works to identify and provide many low-cost and no-cost options including scholarships, student employment, dual enrollment and paid internship programs. Additionally, FSCJ works with business and industry partners to offer some students the opportunity to participate in internships and apprenticeships, which provide valuable hands-on experience, while often leading to employment upon graduation.

An additional way FSCJ is helping to reduce the need for financial aid is through academic programming. In 2014, FSCJ announced a $10,000 bachelor’s degree in trade and logistics which prepares graduates for management positions in warehousing, logistics and operations. Jacksonville is often referred to as “America’s Logistics Center,” so additional educational opportunities will contribute to enhanced productivity and growth for the industry which will help boost the local economy.

America’s College Promise proposal states that two years of free college education would be granted to all qualifying students. Among the criteria, students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.5, be enrolled in a qualifying academic or workforce-training program and belong to a household earning less than $200,000 annually.

To join FSCJ and community colleges in support of the College Promise Campaign, visit headsupamerica.us, download the toolkit and share your thoughts on social media using hashtag #headsupamerica.

About FSCJ
Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) is a public, nonprofit higher education institution that offers more than 150 degree and certificate programs to meet the education and training needs of more than 50,000 students per year.