On Tuesday, July 29, 2020, through the investments earned on the Helios Scholarships, the Board of Governors’ Foundation distributed $226,000 in investment earnings to the university foundations for first-generation scholarships.
In December 2006, the Board of Governors received a generous donation from the Helios Educational Foundation. The investment earnings from this endowment support first-generation scholarships, which provide financial aid to undergraduate students at state universities who have financial need and whose parents have not earned a baccalaureate degree. To date, the Foundation has issued $2M in scholarships to over 1,800 students.
“The State University System of Florida is committed to providing access to a high-quality postsecondary education to Florida residents regardless of income,” said Marshall M. Criser, III, chancellor of the System. “We are grateful for the support of the Helios Foundation in this important endeavor.”
The Helios Education Foundation is dedicated to creating opportunities for under-represented individuals in Florida to succeed in postsecondary education. By fostering a college-going culture and advancing the academic preparedness of all students from early childhood through postsecondary education, the Foundation seeks to increase the number of young adults graduating from high school prepared to succeed in college, career, and life.
“Education changes lives and strengthens communities,” said Paul J. Luna, President and CEO of Helios Education Foundation. “Helios is proud to support educational equity for all students, particularly first-generation students, by alleviating a portion of the financial burden through this scholarship.”
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Facts about the State University System of Florida and the Board of Governors
The State University System of Florida is a constitutional body led by the 17-member Board of Governors. The system has 12 universities and more than 420,000 students, making it the second-largest public university system in the nation. Responsibilities include defining the distinctive mission of each institution and managing the system’s coordination and operation. The Board appoints a Chancellor who serves as the System’s chief executive. For more, visit flbog.edu or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.