Endowing The Future - $10 Million

In celebration of 40 years of support for the advancement of higher education in Southwest Florida, the Edison State College Foundation, Inc. is launching a three-year campaign to raise $10 million to endow the future of Edison State College.

With annual credit enrollment of 16,000 across its five county service district, Edison State College prepares students for the rapidly evolving workplace while expanding partnerships within the business and healthcare communities. Bolstered by new levels of financial invenstments generated through the 'Endowing the Future" campaign, the Foundation will assist Edison State College in strengthening its position as a leader in higher education, partner in economic development, and key cultural resource. Campaign goal include:

• Increase levels of scholarship support to deserving and talented students by recogizing individual potential, academic quality, artistic aptitude and supoerior leadership ability.
• Enrich learning opportunities by helping to atrtact and retain a faculty of supoerior quality through endowed chairs.
• Advance exceptional support for instruction through cutting-edge technology and resource.
• Enhance educational environment and contemporary campus facilities.7

Student Scholarships - $5 Million

Costs of attending college have increased dramatically in a generation.

Nationwide, the annual costs for an in-state undergraduate to attend a public university in 2004 were $11,300—66 percent higher than in 1974 after adjusting for inflation! Middle to lower-income students have been affected most by the higher costs. The difference in costs of one year of college attendance from 1984 to 2004 as a percent of household income rose from 6% to 8% for the highest fifth income bracket, 16% to 26% for the middle fifth, and 65% to 113% for those in the lowest fifth income bracket.

In Southwest Florida, Edison State College offers the best value in higher education. It attracts a diverse student population encompassing first-generation college students, students from disadvantaged backgrounds, adult students with family responsibilities, and as traditional students. But many need financial assistance to pursue
their educational dream. Student debt has soared 42 percent in two years as Edison State College students rely more and more on loans to pay for tuition, books and fees. About a third of Edison students without student loans pay for their tuition with a credit card.

Significantly increased scholarship endowments are critical to reduce the impact of federal reductions in student financial aid. A partial scholarship or fellowship can be established by making a donation of at least $10,000 to the Edison State College Foundation. Scholarships and fellowships are awarded from a percentage of the endowment’s annual earnings, while the remaining earnings are reinvested into the endowment principal to hedge against potential inflation and economic volatility. This policy ensures that the endowment will maintain its “real” value for future generations.

Scholarships, designed to assist great potential or need for financial aid, may be open to all students or limited to a specific categories such as those below:

• Honors Scholar Program
• Health Professions
• Public Safety Management Bachelor’s Degree
• Music and Performing Arts
• Business and Technology
• Scholarship gifts are eligible for dollar for dollar matching funds from the State of Florida

Student Learning - $3 Million

Today’s technology driven environment emands workers with up to date competencies, a flexible nature, and ability to communicate effectively. Goal-oriented college students merit an innovative curriculum and a variety of teaching methodologies to keep them engaged. Edison State College professors are continually updating
texts, curriculum and teaching techniques to help students prepare for increasingly complex and diverse communities and workplaces.

Deans and faculty members have identified specific technology needed in every classroom on every campus to support and enhance teaching and learning. These instructional resources will bolster student success in problem solving, critical thinking, and expression. The infusion of appropriate technology is essential to prepare students with a fundamental understanding of evolving technologies and ready them for 21st century
careers.

The addition of ten endowed chairs will support ongoing enhancements in the following areas:

• Advancing the pace of new degree programs
• Attraction and retention of superior faculty
• Expansion of Library Resources
• Continual updates to technology in Allied Health and Science Labs
• Optimization of student learning through technology in the classroom
• Enhancement of student life through the support of on-campus cultural resource

Project HOPE - $2 Million

A high school diploma is the first step to a higher education.

In Florida, high school graduation rates rose nearly 12 percent between 1998-99 and 2003-04, from 60% to 72%. The greatest gains were among minority students. Concurrently, Florida’s drop out rate maintained its steady decline for the fifth straight year, dropping to 3 percent, a two and half point decrease since 1998-99.

Since 1993, Edison State College’s Project HOPE (Help One Person Excel) has contributed to student success in Southwest Florida by providing graduation incentives to students who are at risk for not continuing their education due to financial or family reasons.

The Project HOPE Readiness Program targets 8th grade students who are recommended by school principals and counselors. Participants attend a series of college preparatory workshops and support activities, and those successfully completing the program may apply for a Project HOPE scholarship in their senior year.

The Project HOPE Scholarship Program awards full tuition and book scholarships to first generation in college students and provides a campus support system to bolster their success. HOPE Scholars must be U.S. Citizens, enroll in 12 credit hours, maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, complete the College Success Skills class, and participate in social, educational and community services activities.

Each gift of $20,000 or more, eligible for State dollar for dollar match, will provide one endowed Project Hope scholarship and change lives for the better for generations to come.