TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A group of students from around the state just returned from Tallahassee after meeting with lawmakers earlier this week. 

The group went with the Florida College Access Network, or "FCAN," an organization that advocates for student-centered policies.

What You Need To Know

  • The Florida College Access Network Advocacy Fellowship met with lawmakers in Tallahassee, sharing personal stories on how current policies impact their education

  • FCAN's 2025 policy agenda includes FAFSA awareness, expanding access to the Florida Student Assistance Grant and strengthening dual enrollment opportunities

  • Jasiah Burrows, a sophomore at the University of South Florida, was one of the students that attended the meeting

  • He said that it’s important for him to advocate for future students' access to financial aid, since it's helped him pursue his degree

Students in this year’s advocacy fellowship shared their own personal stories on how the current policies affect their access to higher education, specifically financial aid.

One student, who attends the University of South Florida, said he wanted to meet with lawmakers to insure his younger siblings have the same access he does to financial aid for college.

Jasiah Burrows is a sophomore at USF studying cyber security, and as a first-generation college student, pursuing his degree has always been a priority.

“I grew up in an impoverished neighborhood, and I struggled growing up when it came to my education,” he said.

This week, he joined 10 other students from across the state in FCAN’s advocacy fellowship at the Capitol where they met with lawmakers, sharing their own stories with higher education. 

He said he personally felt shocked in his senior year of high school when he found out how much college costs.

"I ended up getting full Bright Futures (scholarship), so I had 100% tuition paid," he said. "And at the time, once I found out I had that tuition paid for, I’m like, 'OK, I’m going to college, it’s nothing, I don’t have to worry about anything else.' But then you realize that tuition is just a fraction of what you have to pay when it comes to going to college."

He explained to lawmakers that financial aid made it possible for him to be here today. Sarah Foster with FCAN says that’s why access to the FAFSA is a core priority.

“That includes FAFSA awareness and curriculum," she said. "Florida finished 47th in completion rate across the nation last cycle, which is not great. So, as an organization, we’re dedicated to increasing that number."

Burrows said lawmakers listened, and seemed interested, so he’s hopeful. 

“I wish I would’ve seen more of them explaining what they particularly thought personally about some of the things, but mostly it was them applauding us for our efforts and trying to inspire us to continue," he said.

Even though he’s halfway through his degree now, it’s important for him to advocate for future students' access to financial aid.

"I know how difficult it was. I’m the oldest of 11 siblings, and I just want to have an environment for my siblings coming up after me," he said. "I want to inspire them to pursue their education, but I also want them to have the resources they need available."

In August, FCAN will begin recruiting next year’s advocacy fellowship. They’re looking for college students who are interested in learning about education policy and sharing their experiences at the Capitol.