The Florida College System Fall 2011

What do students need to know? 28 colleges in Florida, one near you Lower tuition than a state university and most private colleges/universities Most students are eligible for financial assistance Many programs to choose from Admission to a degree program is open to students with a standard high school diploma Many students need remediation when they get to college

Open Access Admissions Associate Degrees Standard high school diploma, GED, Home School Affidavit CPT-Eligible Certificate of Completion  Not eligible for all degree programs  May not transfer to a state university before completing the AA degree Career and Technical Certificates Most programs have no admission criteria

Degrees Baccalaureate (BS or BAS)  Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Applied Science  Admission requires associate degree  Programs are generally 120 college credits Associate of Arts (AA)  Liberal arts degree that is guaranteed transfer to a state university  Awarded upon completion of 60 college credits including 36 hours of general education courses Associate of Science (AS) and Associate of Applied Science (AAS)  Prepares for entry into the workforce or transfer to a baccalaureate in related field

Certificates College Credit Certificate  Part of an AS or AAS degree  Generally 9 – 24 credit hours  Prepares for entry into employment Career and Technical Certificate  Prepares for entry into employment  Varying program lengths  Non-college credit

College & Career Readiness Definition Students are considered college and career ready when they have the knowledge, skills, and academic preparation needed to enroll and succeed in introductory college credit-bearing courses within an associate or baccalaureate degree program without the need for remediation. These same attributes and levels of achievement are needed for entry into and success in postsecondary workforce education or directly into a job that offers gainful employment and career advancement.

Course Placement Students who intend to enter degree programs must achieve minimum cut-off scores on one of the following approved tests before being permitted to enroll in college- level courses:  Florida College Entry-Level Placement (CPT)  Enhanced ACT  SAT-I  Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (P.E.R.T.)

Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (P.E.R.T.) Florida’s new common placement exam Customized for Florida and aligned to Florida’s Postsecondary Readiness Competencies Florida faculty reviewed/approved every item on the test Readiness Scores  Reading, 104  Writing, 99  Mathematics, 113

P.E.R.T. Most colleges have implemented P.E.R.T. This semester students have been placed in college courses based on P.E.R.T. scores Rule development has been initiated for P.E.R.T. readiness scores and Postsecondary Readiness Competencies P.E.R.T. will have a diagnostic component (separate test unit) for students who do not meet the college readiness score

Developmental Education (College Remediation) Students who do not meet the college readiness scores are required to enroll in developmental education or college remediation Developmental Education Competencies (DECs) will be established in State Board rule All colleges offer same 2 levels/courses in developmental education based on DECs Developmental Education courses yield no credit toward a degree

Acceleration Mechanisms Dual enrollment Credit-by-Examination  AP  IB  AICE  CLEP Industry Certifications

Students with Disabilities Documentation requirements may vary from those accepted at the high school level Accommodations may vary from those available at the high school level Students must self-identify to the college in order to receive services

Residency for Tuition Purposes To qualify as a Florida resident, a student, or his or her parent/guardian if the student is a dependent, must have established and maintained legal residency in the state for a minimum of 12 consecutive months prior to the first day of classes for the term in which the student is registered Most students under the age of 24 are considered dependents and their residency status will be based upon parental documentation Types of documentation accepted include:  Florida Driver’s License or ID Card  Vehicle registration in Florida  Voter registration in Florida  Proof of purchase of a home in Florida  HS Transcript demonstrating at least 2 years at a FL high school if he student graduated within the last 12 months.

Foster Youth & Homeless Youth Students who were in the custody of the Department of Children and Families and students who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence may be eligible for a tuition exemption (s F.S.) Federal student aid may also be available for foster and homeless youth through a special provision which makes them independent students and potentially eligible for the maximum amount of aid All students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Statewide 2+2 Program An Associate of Arts (AA) guarantees admission to an upper division program at a state university and a Florida College System institution  Not necessarily to the institution/program of their choice AA includes  36 credit hours of general education requirements  60 credit hours Foreign language is not required for AA completion but it is required for baccalaureate, may be satisfied by 2 consecutive years of foreign language in high school AA students need to be aware of the common prerequisites required for the baccalaureate program they intend to pursue

The Florida College System The System continues to expand its baccalaureate offerings In , 124 BAS and BS programs at 19 different colleges with 13,168 students Almost 5,000 students have earned a baccalaureate degree from a Florida college since they were first offered Programs in education, nursing and applied sciences, targeted to workforce need/demand

Contact Information Division of Florida Colleges Julie Alexander Associate Vice Chancellor for Learning Initiatives