At Fred K. Marchman Technical College in Pasco County, Director Tonia Shook has implemented innovative strategies that have expanded access to workforce training, strengthened career pathways, and built impactful community partnerships that support student success. Because of these efforts, Tonia was recognized at the Talent Strong Florida Summit as FCAN’s 2026 Workforce Education Innovator. Read more about her work and how she's shaping the future of workforce education across Florida: floridacollegeaccess.org/ini… #TalentStrongFL

Florida lawmakers passed a $114.5 billion budget, a 3.9% reduction from last year’s, supporting a variety of new and continued initiatives. FCAN’s new budget recap outlines key appropriations that will impact Florida students’ postsecondary access and success, including continued investment in financial aid programs, changes to university out-of-state fees, and funding to expand the Guardian Program to state college and university campuses. The budget awaits the Governor’s signature and will take effect July 1, 2026, pending any line-item vetoes. Read more: floridacollegeaccess.org/wp-…

The Talent Strong Florida Summit is where hundreds of education leaders across the state gather to learn, collaborate, and inspire. Thank you to our sponsors, exhibitors, attendees, and everyone who made this year's summit one to remember. See you next year! Featuring: @CityofTampa, @LuminaFound, @HeliosEdFnd, @jpmorgan, @BottomLineOrg, @OCPSnews, @509HopeCircle, @HillsboroughSch, @my_pcs, @MDCPS, @votegonzalezp 📸 Produced by: Marc Darius #TalentStrongFL

Sponsors: Florida Prepaid College Foundation, @LuminaFound, @gatesfoundation, @CFTampaBay, @HeliosEdFnd, @fgcu, @FloridaTrend, Johnson Scholarship Foundation, @nexteraenergy, @kresgedu, TSG Advisors - Education, @USouthFlorida, @TampaElectric, @ImmokaleeFound, @UofNorthFlorida, Collaboratory, @spcnews, @Abletrust, @MiamiFoundation, @xellofuture

Earlier this month at the Talent Strong Florida summit, FCAN recognized Anita Herrera as the 2026 College Ready Florida Innovator. Serving as Assistant Director of Tutor Corps, High School at the Guadalupe Center, her commitment to college and career readiness and leadership in FCAN’s statewide initiatives has created a comprehensive support system that guides students from ninth grade through graduation. Read more about how her work transforms the lives of students and families by expanding opportunities and creating a strong college-going culture: floridacollegeaccess.org/ini…

Last month, dozens of educators, employers, healthcare partners and community leaders gathered in Hernando County for Talent Strong Pasco Hernando, a regional convening hosted by the Spark Pasco Hernando College Access Network and FCAN with support from @HeliosEdFnd. At the event, attendees learned how the region’s postsecondary enrollment rate is 48%, but a 10% increase in college enrollment could generate $131 million in fiscal value and $304 million in social value for the Spark region annually. This event was part of Talent Strong Florida, a statewide campaign to help Florida reach 60% postsecondary attainment by 2030. Read more: floridacollegeaccess.org/new… #TalentStrongFL

FCAN celebrates Representative @ChipLaMarca, House District 100, for achieving the highest FAFSA completions among all FL House Districts! More than half (66%) of District 100 students completed applications for federal student aid. Congratulations to these students on taking their next step toward postsecondary plans! #DoTheFAFSA #FAFSAChallenge @bridge2lifesfl, @browardschools

FCAN celebrates Senator Bryan Avila, Senate District 39, for achieving the highest FAFSA completions among all FL Senate Districts! @BryanAvilaFL More than half (55.2%) of District 39 students completed applications for federal student aid. Congratulations to these students on taking their next step toward postsecondary plans! #DoTheFAFSA #FAFSAChallenge @UnitedWayMiami @MDCPS

FCAN celebrates Senator Corey Simon, Senate District 3, for achieving the highest growth in FAFSA completions among all FL Senate Districts! @csime90 From 2025-2026, District 3 students completed 13.2% more applications for federal student aid. Congratulations to these students on taking their next step toward postsecondary plans! #DoTheFAFSA #FAFSAChallenge @LeonSchools

FCAN celebrates Representative Karen Gonzalez Pittman, House District 65 for achieving the highest growth in FAFSA completions among all FL House Districts! @votegonzalezp From 2025-2026, District 65 students completed 17.9% more applications for federal student aid. Congratulations to these students on taking their next step toward postsecondary plans! #DoTheFAFSA #FAFSAChallenge @HillsboroughSch @LEAP4college @VanAyresHCPS

FCAN celebrates Senator Don Gaetz, Senate District 1, as our 2026 Legislative FAFSA Champion! We are thrilled the Senator entered our inaugural challenge and has helped raise awareness for students completing the FAFSA. We acknowledge his public service and strong voice for education. Stay tuned to learn more about the additional FAFSA Challenge winners as they drop in the coming days. #DoTheFAFSA #FAFSAChallenge

FCAN's new 2026 State of College Access and Student Success report offers a look at Florida’s talent pipeline: what is working, what is not, and where the gaps are widest. The report finds Florida is making measurable gains in high school graduation and postsecondary completion rates but falling short on the upstream conditions — FAFSA completion and college enrollment — that determine whether those gains translate into a more credentialed workforce. Read the report: floridacollegeaccess.org/wp-…

The 2026 Talent Strong Florida Summit wrapped last week in Tampa. Florida is the no. 1 state in the nation for year-over-year FAFSA completion improvement, and the people who helped build that result spent three days together learning, celebrating, and pushing the work forward. Read the recap and check out more photos from the summit: floridacollegeaccess.org/new… #TalentStrongFL

What a special time at the final day of the 2026 Talent Strong Florida Summit! Today we recognized our incredible award recipients for College Ready Florida Innovator, Workforce Education Innovator, and the 2025-26 Florida FAFSA Challenge winners. We also heard an inspiring message from Steven Colón Garcia at Bottom Line that encouraged us all to continue supporting students throughout the state. Thank you to our attendees, sponsors, speakers, and partners for making this experience so impactful. See you next year! #TalentStrongFL #FCAN2026

Another day at the Talent Strong Florida summit, packed with a engaging breakout sessions and an informative keynote presentation on Florida's higher education journey. Thank you to our featured speakers: Florida Prepaid College Foundation, JPMorgan Chase, @USouthFlorida, and @LuminaFound. #TalentStrongFL #FCAN2026

Day 1 at the Talent Strong Florida Summit! Today was the start of conversations filled with fresh ideas, impactful takeaways, & inspiration from across the state. We’re excited to keep the momentum going tomorrow! #TalentStrongFL Thank you to our featured speakers: Mayor @JaneCastor, @LuminaFound, National College Attainment Network, @my_pcs, Ice Cold Air Discount Auto Repair, @HeliosEdFnd, @FloridaTrend, @valenciacollege, Lift Orlando, @OsceolaCountyFl, Osceola Prosper

The countdown is on. One week from today, the Talent Strong Florida Summit opens at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. Three days. 300 registrants from nearly 200 organizations all working toward the same goal. See you in 7 days! Register: fcansummit.org #TalentStrongFL

147 organizations across higher ed, workforce, philanthropy, K-12, and community partners are gathering at the Talent Strong Florida Summit in Tampa, FL on May 6-8. If your work touches postsecondary access in Florida, your peers will be in this room. Learn more about why this work matters and how to join: floridacollegeaccess.org/new… Thank you to our presenting sponsors: Florida Prepaid College Foundation & Lumina Foundation. #TalentStrongFL