Education Funding

Lakeland – October 27, 2026 -- Florida Southern College has begun building a four-greenhouse citrus and horticulture complex and reopened its modernized Miller Planetarium, backed by state, federal and private funding. Both milestones were marked at a joint ceremony on Oct. 22.

Albritton complex anchors the College's citrus education push

The Ben and Missy Albritton Citrus and Horticulture Complex is named for Florida Senate President Ben Albritton, a College alumnus who studied horticulture there, and his wife. Guests signed a steel beam that will become a permanent part of the structure. Once completed, the four greenhouses will support hands-on learning and experimentation.

Board of Trustees Chairman Keith Berend noted that the College once offered what was the nation's only bachelor's degree dedicated to citrus.

Sacramento – October 15, 2026 -- The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will open its state application portal for the federal Workforce Pell (WFP) Grant on October 21, allowing colleges and career technical education providers to seek state authorization for eligibility starting in the 2026-27 academic year.

CSAC acts as the state gatekeeper under Senate Bill 135

Under Senate Bill 135, CSAC is the designated state agency that decides whether an institution's short-term program meets state and federal requirements. It consults the California Workforce Development Board and the Labor and Workforce Development Agency. Programs deemed eligible are then submitted to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) for final approval. ED notifies institutions of their eligibility, after which students can receive grants through campus financial aid offices.