GOVERNOR CRIST THANKS CORPORATE SPONSORS FOR SUPPORTING STUDENTS, SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM
November 10, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 488-5394
JACKSONVILLE – Governor Charlie Crist today attended the 5th annual “Step Up For Students” Rally and applauded the generosity and support of the many corporations that have contributed to the Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Program. The Governor also celebrated the achievements of the Step Up For Students Scholarships, an initiative of the Corporate Tax Credit Program. This program allows low-income students to attend private schools or public schools outside of their district.
“We are no longer just competing with other states in this great nation, but with other countries as well,” said Governor Crist. “Step Up For Students Scholarships are helping us to diversify our education system to achieve greater results and provide our children and future workforce with a world-class education.”
Governor Crist was joined at the rally by Representatives Terry Fields, Audrey Gibson, Jennifer Carroll and Mike Weinstein, as well as other local dignitaries, corporate sponsors, and Step Up For Students families. The Governor received three checks – from Walgreens, Fidelity National Financial, and PSS World Medical Inc. — on behalf of Step Up For Students.
“Our contributions over the past three years have provided scholarships for more than 6,500 children throughout Florida, giving them the opportunity to receive the education they deserve,” said Debra Garza, Divisional Vice President of Government and Community Relations for Walgreens. “It’s only right that we give back to those families who make our community strong because our companies couldn’t exist without them.”
The Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Program was established in 2001 by the Florida Legislature to offer more educational opportunities to low-income families, and it now serves more than 22,000 students in more than 900 private schools throughout Florida. The average annual income for households of four on the program last year was $24,489. Two-thirds of the students are African-American or Hispanic, and three-fifths of the students come from single-parent homes.
In its first six years, the program has been fueled by more than $400 million in corporate contributions. The money goes to state-approved Scholarship Funding Organizations that are responsible for the receipt and distribution to eligible students. Qualified students can receive annual tuition scholarships of up to $3,950 or transportation scholarships worth $500 to out-of-district public schools.
For more information, please visit www.stepupforstudents.com.