Gov. DeSantis: Residents will save $1.3 billion with Florida Prepaid plan

JACKSONVILLE – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the Florida Prepaid College Board will lower Prepaid Plan prices by $1.3 billion, a reduction benefitting 224,000 current customers. Nearly half of the affected families will have refunds available totaling more than $500 million. The remaining Plans will have lower monthly payment amounts and may be paid off earlier than anticipated due to the price reduction. The savings are due to successive years of lower than anticipated tuition increases and fee inflation.
DeSantis was joined by Florida Prepaid College Board Chairman John Rood and board members during the announcement Monday.
“My administration has been committed to holding the line on the increasing cost of higher education, and as a result, we are starting to see tuition rates level out,” said Governor DeSantis. “I thank Chairman Rood and the Board for their wisdom and financial stewardship, without which these incredible savings would not be possible. This price reduction is great news for hardworking Florida families looking to invest in their children’s future.”
More than 108,000 Plans are now paid in full and can receive an average cash refund of $4,700. Plan holders also have the option to transfer their refund to a Florida Prepaid savings account for other college expenses like books, supplies and housing. Pricing for the upcoming 2020 plan year will have the lowest rate in five years, starting at $44 a month for a newborn.
“Our goal has always been to empower and support Florida families by making college savings simple and affordable,” said Board Chairman John D. Rood. “The price reduction reflects our unwavering commitment to that objective. We commend Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for their continued efforts to make a college education affordable for Florida students and families.”
Eligible plan holders will receive notification from the Board about their refund and/or payment reduction information. Families can find out how their Plan will be affected by going to MyFloridaPrepaid.com/lowprices.
Families can also check pricing and payment options using the online Prepaid Plan Pricing Tool.

Orange Park’s ABWA offering another $2,000 scholarship

ORANGE PARK – The Orange Park Charter Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association is again offering a $2,000 IMPACT Scholarship funded through the Stephen Bufton Memorial Educational Fund to support a deserving Northeast Florida student.
Each year the trustees award scholarships to women who will be attending accredited U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants for the IMPACT Scholarship must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of Northeast Florida, attending a college or university in Florida in the fall semester with awards at least a baccalaureate degree studying at any college grade, including post-graduate levels and have a current grade point average of at least 3.0.
Eligible women may apply at: Lynn McCarthy, Scholarship Chair, Orange Park Charter Chapter of American Business Women’s Association, at lynnmccarthy1@comcast.net.
Once added to the applicant database by the Scholarship Chair, applicant packages must be completed online by May 15. Contact the Scholarship Chair for complete application details. A minimum of three eligible applicants are required in order for the scholarship to be awarded. The scholarship recipient will be notified in June.

O.P.’s Alexis Carter on honor roll at Dixie State

ST. GEORGE, Utah – Alexis Carter was one of 1,978 students who earned a spot on the honor roll at Dixie State University for the Fall semester.
Inclusion indicates students' strong commitment to their academic pursuits, as they must achieve a semester grade point average of 3.9 or higher to be included on the President's List and a GPA of 3.5 to 3.89 for the Dean's List. Both lists require students to complete a minimum of 15 credits.

Keystone’s Stephens on Dean’s List at Bob Jones

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Jordan Stephens, a Sophomore Biblical Studies major from Keystone Heights, was among more than 900 Bob Jones University students named to the Fall 2019 Dean's List.
The Dean's List recognizes students who earn a 3.00-3.74 grade point average during the semester.
Bob Jones University provides an outstanding regionally accredited Christian liberal arts education purposely designed to inspire a lifelong pursuit of learning, loving and leading.

Green Cove Springs’ Porter on Bucknell’s Dean’s List

LEWISBURG, Penn. – Danielle Porter, an undeclared major from Green Cove Springs, was selected to the dean's list at Bucknell University during the fall semester of the 2019-20 academic year. A student must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 to receive dean's list recognition.
Bucknell University is a highly selective private liberal arts university that offers majors in the arts, engineering, humanities, management, and social and natural sciences, along with broad opportunities outside of class, to its 3,600 undergraduates. Graduate programs are available in select disciplines. Students benefit from a small student-faculty ratio of 9:1, personal attention from faculty, leadership opportunities, and excellent graduation rates and career outcomes.

Detlefsen, Deitch earn academic honors at Troy University

TROY, Ala. – Two local students earned spots on academic honors lists last semester at Troy University.
Alisa Detlefsen of Fleming Island made the Provost's List. The Provost's List honors full-time undergraduate students who are registered for at least 12 semester hours and who have a grade point average of at least 3.65.
Sarah Deitch of Middleburg made the Chancellor's List. The Chancellor's List honors full-time undergraduate students who are registered for at least 12 semester hours and who earn a grade point average of 4.0.