In January 2008, the City of Miami Beach(City) entered an Education Compact with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) to enhance learning opportunities for youth.  The Education Compact reflects the desire of the Miami Beach community to support excellence in the City’s public schools.

The Florida International University (FIU) First Generation Scholarship Program is supported by an innovative matching grant program established in 2006 by the Florida Legislature. The program provides financial support to qualified undergraduate FIU students who are the first generation in their families to attain a college degree.   

On September 14, 2022 Resolution No. 2022-32286 was passed to approve and authorize the City Manager and City Clerk to execute agreements with the Miami Beach Police Athletic League, Inc. (MBPAL) and the Miami Beach Chamber Education Foundation, Inc. (MBCEF) to provide funding for First Generation College Scholarships for Miami Beach residents through agreements with Florida International University Foundation, Inc. as part of the State of Florida 2:1 matching grant, with the total amount of funding from the City of Miami Beach not to exceed $28,000 for School Year 2022- 2023, and $3,500 each from the MBPAL and MBCEF and each subsequent year, subject to funding approval during the City's budgetary process.  

As of the 2023-2024 academic school year the State of Florida program no longer provide a 2:1 matching grant due to insufficient funding.    As such, the FIU Foundation Inc. continues to match Miami Beach contributions with a 2:1 matching grant.

LOBBYIST DISCLOSURE

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s): N/A

Increased scholarship and program financial aid are critical to ensure that all deserving students receive the assistance needed to enroll, succeed, and graduate. Investing in FIU’s First Generation Scholarship Program benefits not simply the students, but the greater Miami Beach community.  FIU serves more than 58,000 students, 70% of whom are undergraduates. Approximately 90% of FIU undergraduate students are minorities, and nearly 25% self-identify as first-generation college students.

First generation students are more likely than their peers to come from lower-earning households. Despite the significant need, a high percentage of FIU students receive only partial financial aid, and many students eligible for First Generation Scholarships remain unfunded. 

In 2020-2021, donor investment and state-matched funds supported 889 students, while 6,555 (88.1%) students did not receive funding. Receiving an award is elusive for many FIU students, as the demand for funds exceeds FIU’s aid budget.

The City of Miami Beach First Generation scholarship has historically contributed $28,000 from the City, MBPAL contributed $3,500, and the MBCEF contributed $3,500, for total investment in the MB First Generation Scholarship in the amount of $35,000 in school years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.  The FIU Foundation, Inc. matching funds provided an additional $70,000 which is a 2:1 match yielding a total amount of $105,000 for MB first-generation scholarships at FIU.

The scholarship program saw a 22.8% increase in the number of Miami Beach residents receiving this need-based scholarship from the prior year:

Funding provided supports students who are degree-seeking undergraduate students with a permanent address in the city and with zip codes of 33139, 33140, and 33141 (only residents in the city) with a preference for First Time in College (FTIC) students.

Should there be no eligible FTIC students, other Miami Beach students will be eligible, and funding will be awarded based on financial need as indicated by the FAFSA “unmet need” of the student.  In an event where there will not be enough students eligible to award the funds that meet these criteria, funds will be rolled over to the following year or scholarship amounts per student can be increased.

Scholarships may be renewable upon meeting certain criteria including recipients demonstrating financial need by completing the national Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and being eligible for a Pell Grant, recipients must also be the first generation in their family to attain a college bachelor’s degree (students whose siblings have attained or are pursuing a degree are also eligible, recipients must be residents of the State of Florida, be enrolled in or accepted for admission to the FIU, and be a degree-seeking undergraduate student enrolled for a minimum of six credit hours per semester.

The total contribution for Fiscal Year 2025 has been increased by 10% by all partners. The City of Miami Beach will contribute $30,800 annually (increase of $2,800), the Miami Beach Chamber Education Foundation will contribute $3,900 annually (increase of $350), the Police Athletic League will contribute $3,900 annually (increase of $350), and FIU will contribute $77,000. Total funding available to first generation FIU Miami Beach resident students through this scholarship will be $115,600.