City, local colleges offer full scholarship program

[Steve]

The city and local colleges are teaming up to provide free college educations for students from poor families.

The Jacksonville Commitment is a coalition of the city and Florida Community College at Jacksonville, the University of North Florida, Jacksonville University and Edward Waters College. Starting this fall, the program will provide financial support to public high school students who live in Duval County and qualify for the federal free and reduced lunch program.

Mayor John Peyton said the city will provide $1 million in the next fiscal year and the colleges are raising money from private sources to complement the city funding.

UNF, JU and EWC are guaranteeing the cost of a four-year degree, including tuition, books, meals and housing for students who choose to live on campus. FCCJ is guaranteeing the cost of a two-year degree and books.

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2008/03/24/daily4.html?f=et64&ana=e_du

[Jason]

Nice.  This concept really seems to be taking of with popularity.  Now just imagine a UNF or JU campus downtown with gobs of inexpensive campus housing.... Just the spark DT needs.

[thelakelander]

Are they going to build on-campus housing for FCCJ?