TALLAHASSEE, FL (February 4, 2025) – Today, the State University System of Florida commends Governor Ron DeSantis for his commitment to enhancing excellence at our public universities. The Governor’s proposed budget provides $645 million for performance-based funding to continue improving outcomes for students. The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget also includes a total of $59.4 million in incentive funding for the Programs of Strategic Emphasis Waiver and $100 million for performance-based recruitment and retention initiatives to ensure top-tier faculty are attracted by and remain at our institutions.
“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ continued investment in the State University System of Florida, we have been number one for higher education for eight consecutive years,” said Chancellor Ray Rodrigues. “The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget ensures universities will continue to prioritize fundamental education while recruiting and retaining world-class faculty.”
“Governor Desantis’ proposed budget will help the State University System of Florida advance its strategic goals and create a path forward for innovation and economic development for the state of Florida,” said Brian Lamb, Chair of the Florida Board of Governors.
Through the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget, Governor DeSantis is proposing:
- $645 million for performance-based funding incentives to continue driving improvement for students and enhance accountability across the System.
- $100 million for performance-based recruitment & retention to reward universities that achieve the maximum performance-based funding scores by providing funds to recruit new, and retain existing, instructional and research faculty members.
- $59.4 million, an increase of nearly $21 million, for Programs of Strategic Emphasis Waiver incentive funding to support universities waiving tuition and fees for courses in subject matters that are critical to Florida’s workforce needs.
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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 430,000 students, making it the second-largest public university system in the nation. Florida has held the top spot in U.S. News & World Report for higher education since the inception of the rankings in 2017. 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 information, visit flbog.edu or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.