Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Education System

Private Colleges and Universities

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For assistance, call 850-245-3200 or visit https://www.fldoe.org/policy/cie/

What is the purpose of the program?

Florida's private colleges and universities include non-public colleges, universities, and postsecondary career schools that are under the jurisdiction of the Commission for Independent Education as provided in Ch. 1005, Florida Statutes.

The purpose is to enhance Florida student access to programs at private colleges and universities or fund specific programs offered by private colleges and universities.

What types of private postsecondary institutions are included?

Each non-public, postsecondary educational institution operating within Florida must obtain licensure from the Commission for Independent Education unless the institution is not under the commission's purview or jurisdiction, per s. 1005.06, Florida Statutes. In 2020-21, the commission licensed 402 degree-granting institutions and 598 non-degree institutions which can be found by name or county using the Non-public Postsecondary School/College Search.

In addition, the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF) is an association of 30 private, educational institutions which are non-profit, Florida-based schools accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACs).

Which private colleges and universities receive funding for specific academic programs?

The following private college and university programs received state funding for specific academic programs in Fiscal Year 2023-24.   

What state tuition assistance is available to students attending private colleges and universities?

The Effective Access to Student Education Grant Program (EASE) provides tuition assistance to Florida undergraduate students attending an eligible private, non-profit Florida college or university. Students attending independent postsecondary institutions may also be eligible to receive of other types of which can be found on the Office of Student Financial Assistance, Florida Student Scholarship and Grant Programs website or Money for College brochure.

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2023-24
Fund Salary Rate/ Position General Revenue Trust Funds
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
GRANTS AND AIDS - MEDICAL TRAINING AND SIMULATION LABORATORY
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
4,500,000
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
GRANTS AND AIDS - HISTORICALLY BLACK PRIVATE COLLEGES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
31,921,685
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
GRANTS AND AIDS - PRIVATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
28,296,743
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
EFFECTIVE ACCESS TO STUDENT EDUCATION GRANT
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
134,848,000
GRANTS AND AIDS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND NONSTATE ENTITIES - FIXED CAPITAL OUTLAY
FACILITY REPAIRS MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION
FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND
25,943,082
TOTAL
225,509,510
0

Updates

Educational Grants. The 2023 Legislature enacted Ch. 2023-93, Florida Statutes, which creates a postsecondary educational grant under the William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) Grant Program. The law

  • requires the Florida Department of Education (DOE) to issue a grant to any full-time, degree-seeking, and Florida resident undergraduate student in a baccalaureate degree program at an independent nonprofit university that was formerly eligible for the Access to Better Learning and Education (ABLE) Grant Program, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, has been located in Florida for more than 20 years, and offers specified nursing programs at its Florida campus;
  • requires the DOE to issue a grant to any full-time, degree-seeking, and Florida resident undergraduate student in a baccalaureate degree program at an independent for-profit college or university that is located in and charted by Florida, is accredited by an accrediting agency or association recognized by the database created and maintained by the United States Department of Education, was licensed by the DOE before October 1, 2021, and has Level 6 accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;  
  • requires institutions wanting to participate to provide a one-time notice to the DOE; and
  • prescribes criteria relating to grant awards, remittance of undisbursed funds, and reporting for participating institutions.

Education. The 2023 Legislature enacted Ch. 2023-39, Florida Statutes, which authorizes additional enforcement mechanisms for the Commission for Independent Education (commission) at the DOE, and expands fair consumer practices and minimum standards for licensure of private, postsecondary institutions under the jurisdiction of the commission. The bill also requires each licensed institution to be accredited prior to approval to offer a nursing program.

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
Auditor General reports are available on its website

Websites of Interest
Commission for Independent Education (CIE)
Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF)
Florida Department of Education, Office of Articulation

Performance Information


Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Chapter 1005 (Commission for Independent Education), ss. 1011.521 (Private Colleges and Universities), 1009.89, and (Financial Aid Programs), Florida Statutes

Whom do I contact for help?

Office of Student Financial Assistance, State Scholarships and Grants, 1-800-366-3475, email: OSFAStudentLoans@fldoe.org
Website

Commission for Independent Education (CIE), 850-245-3200 or Email CIEInfo@fldoe.org
Website

Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF), 850-681-3188
Website