Helios Gift of $10 Million to Help Florida's First-Generation College Students
Forming a partnership to help first-generation students reach their postsecondary education dreams was the motivation for Helios Education Foundation’s $10 million gift to the Board of Governors Foundation of the State University System and the Foundation for Florida’s Community Colleges.
Each state educational foundation received a $5 million gift endowment from Helios Education Foundation. When combined with state matching funds, it is the largest public-private scholarship source of funding in state history to help first-generation college students work to become the first in their family to attain a college degree.
“A college education can make all the difference in the life of an individual and this investment will touch the lives of many students and families across Florida," said former Gov. Jeb Bush.
The endowments are intended to generate income into perpetuity, thus, providing a continuing resource for future generations. The funds are being dispersed through the Board of Governors Foundation and the Foundation for Florida’s Community Colleges to the state’s 11 universities and 28 community colleges.