Res No 046-24-16151RESOLUTION NO. 046-24-161S1
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI,
FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING THE CITY'S FLORIDA
INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (FIU) SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
ESTABLISH A SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR SUCH
PURPOSE AND AN EXPENDITURE OF $7,500; PROVIDING
FOR IMPLEMENTATION; CORRECTIONS; AND AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of South Miami (the "City") desires to help suppo11 a scholarship
program for City residents who are enrolled at Flotida International University ("Fill") and qualify
as Pell Grant recipients, among other criteria (the "FIU Scholarship Program" or "Program"); and
WHEREAS, the City will allocate $7,500 to help support the Program and the FIU
Foundation will match the City's funding, for a total amount of$22,500 for the Program; and
WHEREAS, according to FIU representatives, the FIU Foundation Scholarship Program
can only receive funds from a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization; and
WHEREAS, City staff recommends establishing a fund for such purpose (the "Fund'')
through the Miami Foundation or South Miami Police Athletic League, Inc., or such other
501(c)(3) designated organization that is acceptable to FIU and is in the best interest of the City;
and
WHEREAS, the cost to help support the Program will be charged to the American Rescue
Plan Act (ARP A), Account No. l 21-2000-572-6550, or such other funding source as determined
by the City Manager to be in the best interest of the City; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission desires to approve the Program and authorize the
expenditure to the 501(c)(3) for such purpose; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission finds that this Resolution is in the best interest and
welfare of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals. The above-stated recitals are true and correct and are incorporated
herein by this reference.
Section 2. Approving the Prog1·am. The City Commission hereby approves the
Program.
Section J. Authorizing Establishment of Fund and Expenditure. The City
Commission hereby authorizes the establishment of the Fund through the Miami Foundation or
Page 1 of2
Res. No. 046-24-1615 I
South Miami Police Athletic League, Inc., or such other 50 l(c)(3) designated organization that is
acceptable to FIU and is in the best interest of the City. The City Commission forther authorizes
the expenditure of $7,500 for the Fund. The total cost shall be charged to the American Rescue
Plan Act (ARPA) Account No. 121-2000-572-6550, or such other funding source as dctennined
by the C~ty Manager to be in the best interest of the City.
Section 4. Implementation. The City Manager is hereby authorized to take any and
all action necessary to implement the Program, the Fund, aud the purposes of this Resolution.
Section 5. Corrections. Conforming language or technical scrivener-type corrections
may be made by the City Attorney for any conforming amendments to be incorporated into the
final resolution for signature.
Section 6.
adoption.
Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective inunediately upon
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 161
" day of April, 2024.
ATTEST:
CITY ~
READ AND APPROVED AS TO FORM,
LANGUAGE, LEGALITY AND
EXECUTION THEREOF
S SEROTAH
& BIERMAN, P.L.
CITY ATTORNEY
APPROVED:
COMMISSION VOTE:
Mayor Fernandez:
Vice Mayor Bonich:
Commissioner Calle:
4-0
Absent
Yea
Yea
Commissioner Liebman: Yea
Commissioner Corey: Yea
Page 2 of2
Agenda Item No:4.
City Commission Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: April 16, 2024
Submitted by: Daniela Cimo
Submitting Department: City Manager
Item Type: Resolution
Agenda Section:
Subject:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA,
ESTABLISHING THE CITY’S FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (FIU) SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM;
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ESTABLISH A SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR SUCH PURPOSE AND
AN EXPENDITURE OF $7,500; PROVIDING FOR IMPLEMENTATION; CORRECTIONS; AND AN EFFECTIVE
DATE. 3/5 (CITY MANAGER)
Suggested Action:
Attachments:
Memo-FIU Scholarship Program.docx
Resolution FIU Scholarship Program-Miami Foundation Fund
FIU Municipality 1st generation Campaign Deck General (2).pdf
1
CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
INTER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO:The Honorable Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Genaro “Chip” Iglesias, City Manager
DATE: April 16, 2024
SUBJECT: Florida International University (FIU) Scholarship Program
RECOMMENDATION:Approve allocation of $7,500 to help support the FIU Scholarship Program.
BACKGROUND:The City of South Miami (the “City”) desires to help support a scholarship
program for City residents who are enrolled at Florida International
University (“FIU”) and qualify as Pell Grant recipients (the “FIU Scholarship
Program” or “Program”).
Recognizing the difficulties first-generation college students face in
earning their degree, in 2006 the state of Florida formed the First
Generation Matching Grant Program to match dollars raised to support
these students. Initially set as a 1:1 match, the state currently matches gifts
at 2:1, significant recognition that this large group of students comes to
higher education at an extreme disadvantage and is vulnerable to dropping
out.
The City will allocate $7,500 to help support the Program and the FIU
Foundation will match the City’s funding, for a total amount of $15,000 for
the Program
EXPENSE:Not exceed $7,500.
FUND ACCOUNT:American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) – account number 121-2000-572-6550,
or other funding source as determined by the City Manager to be in the
best interest of the City.
ATTACHMENT(S):Resolution
Scholarship Informational Flyer
2
THE CITY OF PLEASANT LIV ING
From First Generation to First Graduation
Recognizing the difficulties first-generation college students face in earning their degree, in 2006
the state of Florida formed the First Generation Matching Grant Program to match dollars
raised to support these students. Initially set as a 1:1 match, the state currently matches gifts
at 2:1, significant recognition that this large group of students comes to higher education at an
extreme disadvantage and is vulnerable to dropping out.
However, there is a limit to the amount the state can match for each state university. While we
consistently raise philanthropic funds that exceed this limit, a significant gap exists between the number
of eligible first-generation students at FIU and the number who actually receive support.
This is a chance for Florida's cities and municipalities to expand the state's match program. Let's close
the funding gap for first-generation students studying here at FIU.
of FIU
undergraduates
are first-
generation college
students
FIU has the highest
number of eligible
first-generation
scholarship
students in the
State University
System of Florida
of FIU students
identify as
minority
of FIU’s financial aid
recipients come
from families with
annual household
incomes of less than
$30,000.
students at FIU
Number of
undergraduates
who are Pell grant
eligible.
First-generation
eligible students had
to be denied a
scholarship due to
lack of funds in 2021-
2022.
of eligible first-
generation students
received a
scholarship in 2021-
2022.
A Model to Get the First Generation to Graduation
5
21% 89% NEARLY
8,200
First-generation
SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA
Funding will be prioritized to meet the needs of students with the following criteria:
degree-seeking undergrad students with a permanent address in the city of
participating municipalities. Should there be no eligible students or not enough
students to award the funds that meet this criteria, funding will be awarded to other
eligible first generation students, based on financial need.
•Recipients must demonstrate financial need by completing the national
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be eligible for a Pell
Grant
•Recipients must be the first generation in their family to attain a college
bachelor’s degree (students whose siblings have attained or are pursuing
a degree are also eligible)
•Recipients must be residents of the State o f Florida
•Recipients must be enrolled in or accepted for admission to the University
and be a degree- seeking undergraduate students
•Must be enrolled for a minimum of six credit hours per semester Scholarship
is renewable upon meeting criteria.
“My family came to this country with only $200 and a dream to provide me an opportunity
that they themselves were not able to achieve. The First Generation Scholarship has helped
me realize our ‘American Dream’.”
–Jessica Marin, Scholarship Recipient 6
The Funding Gap
In 2021-22, the state matched us 2:1
resulting in $1,202,673 in matching
funds—a significant amount—but it
fell far short of funding all eligible
students (See chart, right).
8,000
6,000
Awarded Eligible
6,933 7,142 7,348 740 7,981
First-Generation Students are at a
Disadvantage from the Start
Over half of first-generation students
leave college because they simply
cannot afford it. They typically wait
longer after high school to enroll in
college, and they’re far less likely to
earn a bachelor’s degree. They are
also more likely to come from lower-
income homes.
4,000
2,000
0
6% 23% 11% 11% 11% 9%
Eligible FIU first-generation students vs. percentage and
number actually awarded.
There are currently FIU first-generation students who n ever receive a first-generation scholarship.
By tripling investment, we will make the dream of higher education and a limitless future a reality for
them here at FIU.
Call to Action
In order to bridge the gap of the limited matching funds, our model
uses a three-part approach to maximize funding for the vulnerable and
deserving Pell-eligible students who remain in the gap and are left
without any financial support. We want municipalities, private, and
corporate sectors to step in, unite, and help their own residents in
Municipality
Investment
Private
Funding
need. This way, everyone impacts their own community, residents, and
Miami Dade County at large (and beyond).
With your help, we are confident we can get all first-
generation student citizens to the graduation stage and a
fruitful future.
Corporate
Support
1,571
785 824 889 733
489
7, 7,599
7
■ ■
FLORIDA
INTERNATIONAL
I UNIVERSITY