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Santa Fe College included in 'low-cost' degree challenge

Santa Fe $10,000

Gov. Rick Scott announced Wednesday that all 23 of Florida's state colleges are signing onto his $10,000 bachelor's degree program.

Santa Fe College in particular is looking to offer the program for public safety degrees.

Jackson Sasser, Santa Fe president, said no one deserves this help more than the people who protect and help us in the community every day.

He said these degrees are not only meant for public officials looking to go back to college but also as a beginning path for students graduating from high school.

"What's guaranteed is the full experience," Sasser said. "The associate's degree and the bachelor's degree will not exceed $10,000 for the student."

Santa Fe student Dale Hendricks said the program should get the community "out of the rut" and motivated to go back to school.

"I think it will give people a wonderful opportunity. People are gonna realize they can afford this," Hendricks said. "It will get people to do something to actually better their lives instead of waiting on a check every month from the government."

Sasser agrees with Hendricks in that this program will help get more people in the community to go back to school, and he believes the governor's proposition will be beneficial to his students.

"We're very supportive of the governor's program," Sasser said. "We also look forward to celebrating the successes of students from this program in several months."

Sanika Dange contributed video reporting.

Lauren is a reporter who can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.