Staying In Tune

2025-26 Florida Budget Boosts Student Financial Aid, But Cuts University Operations Funding”

By Haylee Thomas | The FAMUAN

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Legislature’s FY 2025-26 budget includes an increase in state financial aid for students but a decrease in operational funding for state universities. 

While student financial aid funding rose $28.2 million, increasing total allocation for student aid to $1.2 billion, funding for the State University System decreased by $118.6 million. 

For students at FAMU, the implications are mixed; specifically, more financial aid may help with college costs, but fewer operational dollars could mean leaner or discontinued resources, as well as delays to desperately needed facility upgrades at the institution.

“More aid is good, but we still worry about our campus resources and support services,” said Amari Freeman, a School of Business and Industry graduate student at FAMU.

University officials stated they are reviewing the impact of the budget cuts and have strategic plans to maintain student services despite tighter funding for operations.

The budget also underscores new trends in financing higher education and signals the need for universities to find alternative revenue streams.