RISE logoGROW WITH RISE

The mission of the Road to Independence, Success, and Excellence program, better known as RISE, is to increase the graduation rate of students using the Florida Department of Children and Families Tuition and Fee Exemption and students using the Homeless Fee Exemption, as well as to enhance their overall academic experience.

The RISE program is housed at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus but serves all 11 SPC locations.

Road to Independence, Success, and Excellence (RISE) was established at St. Petersburg College in Fall 2020. Serving all eleven campuses and centers, the purpose of RISE is to increase the enrollment and retention rates of students utilizing the Department of Children and Family (DCF) Tuition and Fee Exemption waiver and to support students who are experiencing or facing homelessness. RISE also seeks to enhance the overall experience of students using these waivers through advocacy, mentorship, extracurricular opportunities, and streamlined connections to resources.

RISE Program Contact

Austin Crawford
727-341-4464
crawford.austin@spcollege.edu

It is recommended that you bookmark this page.

For students in and from foster care:

How to submit your waiver to SPC:

  1. In your first semester at SPC, you must email your valid and signed DCF Form CF-FSP 5220 (DCF Tuition and Fee Exemption) to Austin Crawford at crawford.austin@spcollege.edu.
  2. Once you have submitted your valid signed DCF Form CF-FSP 5220 to SPC and you are enrolled in classes for the term, complete SPC’s Department of Children and Families Tuition and Fee Exemption Form. You only need to submit your waiver ONCE; however, you are required to complete this form each term thereafter and every time you add/drop/change a class.

For additional information, view Tuition Waiver information provided by SPC Financial Aid. If you do not have access to your tuition waiver, you can contact DCF directly at 1-844-ILYOUTH (1-844-459-6884) to inquire about obtaining a copy.

For students experiencing or facing homelessness:

How to submit your waiver to SPC:

  1. Complete the Certification of Homelessness Once the form is completed by the agency or the person assisting you, it will route to SPC for review.
  2. Complete the Homeless Fee Exemption Enrollment Form; this allows SPC to place the waiver on your student account if it is approved. If you change your enrollment, complete the Homeless Fee Exemption Enrollment form AGAIN.