My family is in the military and we're based in Florida. I was wondering if there are any specific college benefits granted to military families in this state? Has anyone here walked this path before and can share some specifics?
Yes, indeed, Florida does provide some specific benefits to military families to support access to higher education. Here are a few key ones:
1. Florida Prepaid College Plan and Florida 529 Savings Plan:
The Florida Prepaid College Plan is a prepaid tuition plan guaranteed by the State of Florida. Active duty, reserve, guard, retired military personnel, and honorably discharged veterans are allowed a waiver to establish Florida residency, regardless of when they move to Florida. They receive a waiver for the 12-month residency requirement.
2. Scholarships and Grants:
The Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans (CSDDV) provides funds each year to eligible students attending a Florida public postsecondary institution. The awards are based on need, funded by state revenue as part of the annual General Appropriations Act passed by the legislative body.
3. Tuition and Fee Waivers:
Florida public institutions provide waivers to active-duty military stationed outside of Florida but home-recorded in-state, spouses and dependents of active-duty military personnel that reside or are stationed out of state, live on campus, and are enrolled in a Florida postsecondary institution.
4. In-State Tuition Rate:
The Congressman C.W. Bill Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Act waives out-of-state fees for honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. Reserve Forces, or the National Guard. To qualify, veterans must physically reside in Florida while enrolled in their Florida college.
I hope this clarifies it for you! It might be a good idea to reach out to the financial aid offices of the specific Florida colleges you're interested in to see what other scholarships or benefits they might offer to military families.
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