Florida Opportunity Scholars Background
Bringing the Dream of a UF Education to First Generation College Students
The University of Florida is committed to actively supporting initiatives that enable access to higher education for qualified students from all socio-economic backgrounds. However, over time, the average family income of UF undergraduates has continued to rise and the number of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds has fallen. In 2008, the median freshman family income was $100,000 while only 22 percent came from families earning less than $50,000.
National studies have shown that students from low socio-economic backgrounds can be deterred from enrolling in a four-year college or university because of fear of debt and concerns that working while in school could hamper the chances for academic success. Many of these students enroll in community colleges or choose not to attend college at all.
To help address this concern, in fall 2005, President Bernie Machen asked Vice President of Student Affairs Patricia Telles-Irvin to design a new financial aid access program for first-generation college students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
President Machen approved a proposal to provide full grant/scholarship financial aid packages to first-generation-in-college freshmen Florida resident students from families who made less than $40,000 per year. The program, which was endorsed by the UF Board of Trustees, was named the Florida Opportunity Scholars Program (FOS) and was available to first-time-in-college students enrolling summer 2006 or later. The program provides recipients a full grant and scholarship package each year for enrollment in a baccalaureate degree program. Two million dollars in grant assistance was committed for the 2006-07 inaugural year and support was increased to over $7.2 million dollars for 2009-10 to fund both returning students and a new first-year class.
The University of Florida thanks the following individuals and organizations for their support of this inspiring program:
- Florida Opportunity Scholars program contributors
- Contributions made in honor of President's Council Gala Honorees
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