FloridaFlorida nursing schools can match partner contributions with grants
Florida nursing schools may seek matching grants for cash and certain valued donations, but each proposal must include some cash contributions.
What it does
Florida nursing schools may seek dollar-for-dollar grants for partner contributions. Cash from health care partners gets priority, and donated goods or services cannot make up an entire proposal.
Approved proposals may use grants for scholarships, instructors, equipment, internships, and other nursing program needs. Schools may improve existing space under certain conditions, but cannot build new buildings.
The fund’s administrators may approve awards lasting up to two additional academic years if they serve the fund’s long-term goals. Later payments depend on available state money and continued partner contributions.
Argument forMatching partner contributions could help nursing programs add scholarships, instructors, or improved training space without building new facilities.
Argument againstSchools may struggle to qualify if they cannot secure a cash contribution, since donations alone cannot make up a full proposal.
More detail
The fund matches eligible contributions with grant money, dollar for dollar. Eligible institutions must have a nursing program that meets the listed completion or licensing exam standards. Students covered by the program must be Florida residents for tuition purposes. Matching depends on available fund money. Cash contributions from health care partners receive priority. A proposal cannot rely only on noncash contributions; accepted noncash contributions must be valued in dollars and support the fund’s goals.
Approved proposals may use grant money for nursing education needs and improvements to existing facilities. These uses apply to approved nursing education proposals. Money may support scholarships, faculty and preceptors, program growth, equipment, simulation centers, and internships. Money cannot pay to build new buildings. Improvements to existing facilities must increase enrollment or improve or modernize nursing or simulation space.
The fund’s administrators may award grants for up to two academic years after the initial approval year. The Board of Governors administers the fund for state universities; the Department of Education administers it for other institutions. The Board of Governors or Department of Education may make a multiyear award if it serves the fund’s long-term goals. Later-year awards depend on a state fund appropriation and continued notice of partner contributions to match the state money. The additional award years immediately follow the academic year in which the initial approval is granted.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 26Chapter No. 2026-101Latest
- May 22Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- May 21Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 12Ordered engrossed, then enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Returning Messages. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12CS passed as amended; YEAS 39 NAYS 0Major
- Mar 12Concurred in 1 amendment(s) (271703)
- Mar 10In returning messages
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 10Amendment 271703 engrossed amendment (replaces 722471, 300069)
- Mar 10CS passed as amended; YEAS 112, NAYS 0Passed House
- Mar 10Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 10Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Mar 10Amendment 722471 adopted as amended
- Mar 10Amendment 300069 adopted
- Mar 10Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 91st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Mar 9Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/10/2026)
- Mar 9Bill referred to House Calendar
- Feb 26In Messages
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 26Immediately certified
- Feb 26CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Feb 26Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 26Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 23Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/26/26
- Feb 18Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Vote recorded Favorable. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 18Favorable by- Fiscal Policy; YEAS 19 NAYS 0Minor
- Feb 13On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 02/18/26, 1:30 pm, 110 Senate Building
- Feb 10CS by Appropriations Committee on Higher Education read 1st time
- Feb 9Now in Fiscal Policy
- Feb 6Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
- Feb 4CS by Appropriations Committee on Higher Education; YEAS 7 NAYS 0
- Vote recorded Favorable with Committee Substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 30On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Higher Education, 02/04/26, 3:45 pm, 110 Senate Building
- Jan 21Now in Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
- Vote recorded Favorable. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 21Favorable by Education Postsecondary; YEAS 6 NAYS 0Minor
- Jan 16On Committee agenda-- Education Postsecondary, 01/21/26, 8:30 am, 301 Senate Building
- Jan 13IntroducedMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Education Postsecondary; Appropriations Committee on Higher Education; Fiscal PolicyMinor
- Jan 6FiledIntroduced
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