Rising College Cost Inspires Financial Grant

New Grant Helps Students Make Smart Decisions About College Financing

Tallahassee, Fla., July 12, 2012 – A new grant from the Division of Florida Colleges and the Florida College System Foundation will help raise the financial literacy awareness of Florida students and decrease the numbers who default on student loans. The Financial Literacy Program Grant will help students make better decisions about how to pay for college by awarding a $10,000 grant to 10 Florida colleges to augment current financial literacy programs or develop new programs.

“Paying for college efficiently is an important step to a secure financial future,” said Florida College System Chancellor Randy Hanna. “This grant will help our colleges to get the word out about new and existing programs that will help students make the best decisions for their situation.”

Colleges are encouraged to create or enhance their own financial literacy programs or utilize existing programs such as the Navigating your Financial Future website. The free program is offered by the Florida Department of Education’s Office of Student Financial Assistance to help students and their families make sound financial decisions about their postsecondary education goals. In addition, the financial assistance outreach team provides assistance for high school and college staff and students through interactive on-campus presentations, financial literacy brochures and posters, and individual student counseling.

For more information about the Navigating your Financial Future program or to contact a member of the financial assistance outreach team, visithttp://www.navigatingyourfinancialfuture.org/.