Take Stock in Children heads to Rays game

Take Stock in Children heads to Rays game

BRADENTON -- The Tampa Bay Rays and Helios Education Foundation recognized a new class of Take Stock in Children scholars for 2015-16 during a pregame presentation at Tropicana Field.

The students enjoyed some time out on the field and a reception on the Trop's "Back Porch" before the Sept. 13 extra-innings game against the Red Sox.

Beginning in 2012, the Rays and Helios Education Foundation teamed up to provide $1 million in college scholarships for students participating in Take Stock in Children in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, Manatee and Pasco counties over a five-year period.

The Rays and Helios Education Foundation partnership provides selected students Take Stock in Children scholarships, a program aimed at giving students the financial resources and mentorship support they need to successfully achieve a postsecondary education at any Florida state college.

Manatee County 2015-16 Rays-Helios Education Foundation Scholars include Jeana Alexandre, Joe Clerjuste, Jonatan Matiano, Lucas Naranjo, Steven Nguyen and Tyrese Galloway.

USF Sarasota-Manatee among safest universities

SARASOTA -- The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee is one of the nation's safest universities, according to a ranking by home security company ADT.

ADTsecurity.com ranked USFSM No. 18 on a list of America's 32 safest colleges and universities, one of four Florida colleges to make the list.

The ranking is based on data from the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education.

All postsecondary institutions that participate in federal student aid programs are required to provide information to the office's database.

To calculate its "Danger Scores," ADTsecurity.com used a weighted system that assigns higher values to violent crimes compared with non-violent property crimes. Enrollment size also helped determine the scores.

"At USF Sarasota-Manatee, our number one priority is the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff," USFSM Regional Chancellor Dr. Sandra Stone said in a statement. "This ranking shows that we are an excellent option for high-quality higher education in a personal, safe learning environment."

Florida Prepaid College Plan pricing announced

TALLAHASSEE -- Pricing for the 2015-16 Open Enrollment period for the Florida Prepaid plans were recently approved and officials are touting another year of low prices for Florida families. Open Enrollment begins Oct. 15, and families will have the opportunity to purchase a 4-Year Florida University Plan for as low as $183 a month or a 2 + 2 Florida Plan for as low as $145 a month.

The board also now offers the 1-Year Florida University Plan, which allows families to purchase up to four years at a state university in one-year increments. The 1-Year Florida University Plan starts as low as $46 per month and covers 30 university credits.

"Families have told us they want more flexible options for saving, and the 1-Year Florida University Plan is a great example of how Florida Prepaid reflects the evolving needs of families," Kevin Thompson, board executive director, said in a statement.

Prepaid Plans will be available for purchase during Open Enrollment, through Feb. 29, 2016.

For more information, visit www.myfloridaprepaid.com.

-- Herald staff reports

This story was originally published September 30, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Take Stock in Children heads to Rays game ."