2022 graduates can take college courses with no out-of-pocket costs

Seminole State College of Florida is offering the Summer Bridge program this summer, a unique program designed in partnership with Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) for 2022 high school graduates. Through the program, students will take two courses over the Summer Term, which runs June 22 – Aug. 3, and the College will use available financial aid and/or institutional funds to cover tuition, fees and books so students will have no out-of-pocket costs. The deadline to apply for the program is June 3.

"Summer Bridge is a really great program that combats some of the common anxieties students face about starting college, including the cost and the confusion of how to start,” said Dr. Jan Lloyd-Lesley, associate vice president of student development. “It is our third year offering the program and about 80% of the students who went through the program last year continued onto the fall semester.” 

Through the Summer Bridge program, students will take the College’s first year experience course that will connect them to the resources throughout Seminole State, encourage them to explore different career pathways and extracurricular opportunities in their fields of interest. They will also be allowed to choose between one of four electives for a total of two classes that have embedded tutors and librarians for extra academic support. 

“The program is a great opportunity for our high school graduates who either want to get a jump start on their college career this summer, or for those who have been hesitant about considering college,” said Dr. Nicola Williams, SCPS school counseling and educational pathways services coordinator. “We have a very high graduation rate and want to make sure that all of our graduates know they have options for the future.” As the program was created in partnership with SCPS, priority for the program will be given to SCPS graduates, but all 2022 Florida high school graduates are welcome to apply.

Julissa Anglero 2021 Summer Bridge Participant

As graduation approached for Julissa Anglero, she knew her path forward wasn’t clear. While she had once thought of going to a major four-year university, as she got closer to finishing high school and the reality of paying for college sank in, she began to rethink her plan. She applied for Fall Term 2021 at Seminole State knowing that she may not follow through with attending, however when she was informed about the Summer Bridge program where she could start college with no out-of-pocket costs, she decided to enroll.

“I thought ‘well since it is technically free, I might as well give it a try,’ because I wasn’t 100 percent sure about actually doing the fall classes. So, I gave it a try, and honestly, that is what made me want to continue college,” said Anglero, who not only thrived in the program, but also discovered a path forward she is truly passionate about in the Center for Public Safety’s Fire Academy/EMT Combined Program. 

For high school students who are on the fence about pursuing College, Anglero can relate given her own apprehension, but advises that, “Honestly you don’t have to know what you want to do, because you’re still young, but it is nice to get a head start on it. Because if you don’t know what you want to do, there are pre-reqs that can guide you to a degree.” With her Emergency Medical Services Technical Certificate already completed, she is one step closer to her goal of working in public safety. “I’m only 19 years old, but I was able to get a head start and that is what I liked because if I took a break, I probably wouldn’t be here,” said Anglero.