FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2006
Media Contact: Michael Corby
904.632.3310

Medallion Scholars may get 100 percent funding at Florida’s community colleges

Students attending Florida Community College at Jacksonville — or any Florida community college as a Florida Medallion Scholar — may be eligible to receive full tuition and fees in 2006-2007, thanks to a bill signed by Governor Bush earlier this month. The bill (HB 5005, Section1009.535, Florida Statutes) was amended by the 2006 Legislature to increase the award for Medallion Scholars attending community colleges in pursuit of an associate degree. Most Medallion scholarships will increase from 75 percent of tuition and fees to 100 percent. The bill becomes law July 1.

The Florida Medallion Scholars Award is a Florida Lottery-funded scholarship administered as a program of the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program. Scholarship recipients are determined by factors including Florida residency, United States citizenship (or eligible non-citizens) and SAT or ACT test scores for new applicants or GPA for students renewing their scholarships. FCCJ served approximately 1,200 Medallion Scholars last year.

The increase is for students taking college-credit courses leading to an associate degree, and begins with the 2006 Fall Term. Lab fees of up to $300 per semester are also allowed for eligible students. Certificate and diploma programs are not eligible for the 100 percent award. More information about the Florida Medallion Scholars Awards is available at the Florida Department of Education Web site. For information about financial aid at FCCJ, call any campus financial aid office or visit our financial aid Web page.