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Helios Education Foundation Awards Florida College System Foundation $50,000 for Students Impacted by Hurricanes
~ Grant will support Florida College System students impacted ~
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., December 7, 2017 – The Florida College System Foundation is pleased to announce a $50,000 grant awarded by Helios Education Foundation with the purpose of linking emergency funds to students impacted by the hurricanes who need short-term resources to assist with continuing to pursue their education and achieve their goals.
Grant funds will be used to help students cover the cost of sudden, unexpected and unbudgeted expenses. These include expenses such as replacement books, transportation, housing, utilities, childcare, and other expenses.
Students who were impacted may request up to $500 and colleges are encouraged to use this money as matching funds. Students enrolled in the 19 of 28 colleges located in a disaster area declared by FEMA are eligible to receive funds.
With the financial support from Helios Education Foundation, this will help students stay on track to complete their education. “Providing students short-term, financial assistance to ensure completion of their long-term postsecondary goal is an investment in them and in our state - one we are proud to make,” said Paul J. Luna, President and CEO, Helios Education Foundation.
Tami Cullens, Chair of the Florida College System Foundation, said, “This generous contribution from Helios Education Foundation will make a substantial impact on those students affected in these communities who are financially struggling to continue pursuing their higher education dreams.”
About the Helios Education Foundation
Helios Education Foundation is dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals in Arizona and Florida to achieve a postsecondary education. Our work is driven by our four fundamental beliefs in Community, Equity, Investment, and Partnership, and we invest in initiatives across the full education continuum.
In Arizona, where Latino students comprise the largest percentage of the K-12 public school population, the Foundation is implementing its Arizona Latino Student Success initiative focused on preparing all students — especially Latino students — for success in college and career. Through our Florida Regional Student Success Initiative, Helios is helping first-generation, low-income and minority students from the state’s large population centers in Tampa, Orlando and Miami achieve a postsecondary education.
Since 2006, the Foundation has invested over $200 million in education programs and initiatives in both states. To learn more about our efforts, visit us online at www.helios.org.
About the Florida College System
The Florida College System is the primary access point to undergraduate education for Floridians, including recent high school graduates and returning adult students. The 28 member colleges of the Florida College System respond quickly and efficiently to meet the demand of employers by aligning certificate and degree programs with regional workforce needs. For more information, click here.
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For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.