An estimated 29,000 will receive it next year. The reduction shouldn t cause students to take a lighter load the grant will still cover two full-time classes a year, said John White, executive vice president of student services and finance. So we re very happy about it. Other Southwest Florida residents use the money to attend private colleges across the state, such as the University of Miami and Barry University. International and other private colleges lobbied lawmakers and sent e-mails and letters.
Students say the program makes it easier to return to school.
It s excellent that they re not cutting the program. It s education. If they re going to cut, they should do it in another part of the budget. This year, they were just happy to stave off a drastic cut. It s a constant battle, White said.