AIR DATE AUGUST 3, 2023
Title: A Debt-Free College Experience
Learn ways to make college a fruitful and debt-free experience.
Guests
Florida Lottery, Secretary – John F. Davis
Orange Technical College, Associate Superintendent – Melanie Stefanowicz
Numerous Educational Opportunities Are Found in Florida
One of the unique aspects of the Florida Lottery is that the funds from playing enhance educational funding and opportunities for local students and schools. I recently spoke with Secretary John Davis to discuss how this mission is carried out locally.
“Enhancing a public education for students and residents has been the mission since day one,” Davis told me. “When the lottery was created by a constitutional amendment in 1986, it was for the purpose of generating additional revenue for public education here in this state.”
The Florida Lottery generates about $6 million daily for education, totaling over $42 billion since it started. The Bright Futures Scholarship is 100% funded through this process.
An Affordable Education Is Available at Home
I also enjoyed speaking with Melanie Stefanowicz, Associate Superintendent of Orange Technical College. She told me that the average tuition cost is about $5,500. “All our programs are Pell eligible, so we have financial support for people,” she said.
Programs at Orange Technical College often range from ten to 14 months. Some don’t have diplomas or the necessary GPA requirements for entry. “Our automotive program doesn’t actually require a high school credential, though we can help them earn one at the same time through an integrated education and training program,” added Stefanowicz.
As for the Bright Futures Scholarship, there are different tires and requirements for each. “Since becoming secretary, it’s been an eye-opener for me just how many students and parents, even educators, are not aware of the Bright Futures Scholarship Program and the requirements to be able to obtain it,” Davis said.
Both opportunities focus on supporting students to help them get out into the working world as quickly as possible.
More Educational Opportunities Help Us All Become Winners
“There are going to be individuals who see [playing the lottery] as gambling,” remarked Davis. “The thing that differentiates us is that our revenue is all dispersed.”
That means a significant portion of the funds go to local educational opportunities once the winnings are paid. Floridians always win with the amount that goes directly to student opportunities, even if someone doesn’t purchase a winning ticket.
Orange Technical College has a $276 million capital project to rebuild all its locations. “We usually have about 900 students graduate from our five technical college campuses,” said Stefanowicz. She estimated that up to 7,000 students could be enrolled in their career certificate and adult education programs each year.
“High school students need to have a 2.0 and be in a good position to graduate,” Stefanowicz added when discussing dual enrollment options. “We always want our students to have their test scores in line. We can help them if they don’t.”
“We want to continue to generate revenue to be able to help fund education,” added Davis, “and to make sure that we do it efficiently and to make sure that our procurement process is open and fair.”
For more information about enrolling at Orange Technical College, you can visit orangetechnicalcollege.net. An overview of the Florida Lottery opportunities and promotions is found at flalottery.com.
