Gov. Crist's Plan

Presidents Machen and Wetherell Stand-up for Our Students

Key Facts

State Newspapers Support Gov. Crist's Plan

How You Can Support Gov. Crist's Plan

Digital Media:
• SOS Halftime Video
• Student Government Presidents Support SOS
• "Issues in Education" TV Show
• SOS Radio Spot

This is a landmark proposal for the State University System. It was developed with strong support of several business leadership groups - the Council of 100, the Florida Chamber Foundation, Associated Industries of Florida - that recognize that the strength of Florida's economy is tied to the quality of education our universities provide.

Florida's state universities charge the lowest tuition and required fees in the nation. As a result, Florida has a shortage of faculty - the worst faculty-student ratio in the nation. This is a problem the Board of Governors of the State University System is determined to address - but it takes resources.

All of the presidents in the State University System strongly support this initiative. Governor Crist is proposing "differential tuition" - that is, another layer of tuition that can be different at different institutions (most states do it this way).

Each institution could, if it so chooses, adopt a differential tuition up to 15 percent of the base tuition. Any tuition increase would require approval of the Board of Governors of the State University System.

Governor Crist, who is growing concerned about the strength of Florida's public universities, proposes allowing the universities to adopt differential tuitions annually - but the total tuition could not exceed the national average.

For any of Florida's institutions to reach the national average would take a good while, however, since Florida's tuition and required fees are currently the cheapest in the nation.

The differential tuition Gov. Crist is proposing could generate $72 million in the first year (more in succeeding years). That amount would allow the universities to start addressing the fundamental problem of faculty shortage. This will allow an immediate improvement in the education Florida students receive.

Some other key facts:

• Combined tuition and required fees in fall 2008-09 for a resident undergrad in the State University System of Florida is $126.94/per credit hour (tuition alone is $82.03).
• A full-time undergraduate pays $3,808.07 per year (30 credit hours -two semesters; this varies by university, because the required fees are not the same at all institutions).
• National average is $6,585 in tuition and required fees for a public, 4-year, resident undergraduate.

Some other key points regarding the governor's plan:

• Bright Futures: The scholarship would not cover the differential but would continue to cover base tuition increases.
• Prepaid contracts: Those holding prepaid contracts sold prior to July 2007 are exempt - they will not be charged the differential tuition.
• Financial aid: 30 percent of the differential tuition would go for need-based financial aid at that university; over $200 million additional financial aid would be generated in 2015-16 - a huge increase.