FCAN Blog
FCAN’s College Ready Florida Statewide Initiatives in Action
The Florida College Access Network’s (FCAN) four statewide initiatives – Plan It Florida, Apply Yourself Florida, Florida FAFSA Challenge, and College Decision Day – share one goal: keep students at the center of the process. Each initiative, under the College Ready...
School Districts Doing Well in Career Dual Enrollment Have Three Things in Common
In Wakulla County, more than a third of students participate in career dual enrollment, a program that lets them earn college credit and industry certifications before graduation, at no cost. In 15 Florida districts, no students do. That gap is the subject of a new...
In Jacksonville, Level Up Gives Students a Head Start Before Fall
Most of the work that goes into getting a Florida high school student to college happens during the school year. What about the summer? Level Up, a boot camp offered through JAXUSA Partnership’s Earn Up initiative in collaboration with Florida State College at...
Key Takeaways from “2026 Florida Legislative Session Recap” Webinar
The Florida Legislature adjourned sine die March 13 after passing 237 bills in its 60-day session. Lawmakers returned to Tallahassee for three special sessions: congressional redistricting, property taxes and the state budget. On Monday, June 29, Gov. Ron DeSantis...
LCAN 101: To Build a Talent Strong Florida, We Started Here
A Local College Access Network is what happens when the leaders in a community who care about getting students to and through college stop working in parallel and start working in concert. Schools, employers, nonprofits, financial aid experts, families, all of them...
Register for FCAN’s Upcoming Webinar: 2026 Florida Legislative Session Recap
Florida's 2026 Legislative Session has officially concluded, following the regular 60-day session and a special session to complete the 2026-2027 state budget. The budget now awaits the Governor’s signature and will take effect July 1, 2026, pending any line-item...
2026 Florida Legislative Session Budget Recap
After regular session adjourned in March, legislators reconvened in a May special session to complete the 2026-2027 state budget. University Boards of Trustees can now set fees for out-of-state students, while Florida continues to hold the line on in-state tuition....
In Gainesville, College Decision Day Is a Community Event. That’s the Point.
Gainesville is home to one of the largest universities in the country. For students without a family history of college, that proximity does not automatically translate into access. Nearly a quarter of Alachua County residents live below the poverty line, roughly...
Transforming Workforce Pathways: Tonia Shook Recognized as FCAN’s 2026 Workforce Education Innovator
At Fred K. Marchman Technical College in Pasco County, Director Tonia Shook has implemented innovative strategies that have expanded access to workforce training, strengthened career pathways, and built impactful community partnerships that support student success....
Building Pathways to Success: Anita Herrera Recognized as FCAN’s 2026 College Ready Florida Innovator
Anita Herrera’s leadership in FCAN’s statewide initiatives - Apply Yourself Florida, Florida FAFSA Challenge, College Decision Day, and Plan It Florida - has created a comprehensive support system that guides students and families from ninth grade through graduation....