Sunshine Sentinel

A bill introduced by Rep. Jackie Toledo (R-Tampa) is aimed at attracting STEM students to Florida and will offer tuition waivers even for out-of-state students.

House Bill 1261 seeks to lower the cost of tuition at public universities in the state through its "Buy One, Get One" free tuition waiver program. Students who enroll in a specified STEM class will receive a discount on a second class after enrollment, according to the bill's text.

The waiver would be for higher-level classes in selected STEM fields. Out-of-state students who are high-performing and have grandparents who are Florida residents will also be eligible for the tuition waiver. In addition, educational access will be expanded for veterans.

“The bill addressed workforce gaps in the STEM fields while rewarding those who pursue an education that meets our state’s needs,” Toledo told the Sunshine Sentinel. “As an engineer I can tell you the dire need for engineers in our state. Ensuring a talent pool of engineers in the STEM fields will attract tech companies, construction companies and many other industries that offer high-paying careers.” 

The State University System of Florida’s Board of Governors will select specific STEM fields that correspond with Florida’s workforce needs.

This bill aims to entice the best and brightest to Florida’s schools in STEM-related programs, with the hope that they will stay after graduation to be part of Florida’s workforce.

In addition, HB 1261 includes protections for colleges and universities from lawsuits related to COVID-19, WUSF reported. A lawsuit filed against Florida State University alleged it had not offered “fair and/or appropriate refunds of fees charged for tuition and other services paid to cover the cost of certain on-campus services which are no longer available to students," WUSF said. The lawsuit came after the Florida Legislature passed HB 1261 in April, which includes protections from such cases.

For public universities in Florida, the current average tuition and fees for 30 credits for in-state students is $5,991.79, and $20,719.07 for out-of-state students, state documents show.

"As part of its duties to operate the SUS [state university system], the board of governors develops a strategic plan, which specifies the goals and objectives for each university and the SUS," the bill reads. "Part of the strategic plan includes criteria for designating baccalaureate degree and master’s degree high-demand programs of emphasis."  

Criteria for high-demand majors will include job placement with 36 hours or more per week and average full-time wages of graduates of the one- or five-year program after graduation shows a median wage of at least $45,000 a year.

The bill is expected to take effect July 2 unless vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.