Contact: Meredith Amor
Director of Communications
PR@Barry.edu
(305) 899-7810
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 26, 2020
Barry University Students to Rally to Restore EASE Funding
(TALLAHASSEE, FL) Today a busload of Barry University undergraduates will join students from 17 other Florida colleges to rally at the State Capitol in support of The William L. Boyd, IV, Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) Program.
This critical funding provides tuition assistance to Florida undergraduates attending an eligible private, non-profit Florida institution who may not otherwise be able to afford college. EASE has helped more than 2800 Barry students break barriers this academic year alone but has come under attack in the legislature, with voucher amounts reduced from $3,500 to $2,841.
This legislative session, the future of this vital program was in jeopardy, with the threat of stripping access to vouchers from 65% of recipients. After a coordinated effort, EASE funding is secure for another year at the reduced rates. Barry students will join others from the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida to thank legislators for preserving this vital program in its current form and to call for action to restore voucher amounts next session.
The Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida will lead a student rally and press conference in the Capitol Cabinet Room, Floor LL at 12:30pm, with students then visiting with their local delegations to spread a message of thanks and urge increased support for this crucial educational assistance.