FL S0002

Establishes the "Florida Excellence in Higher Education Act of 2017" and revises performance-based metrics for Florida College System institutions, including student retention rates, graduation rates, job placement rates, and college affordability measures.

Creates two new funding programs for state universities: the World Class Faculty and Scholar Program to support faculty recruitment and retention, and the State University Professional and Graduate Degree Excellence Program to enhance medicine, law, and business graduate programs.

Requires each Florida Community College System institution to execute at least one "2+2" targeted pathway articulation agreement with state universities by the 2018-2019 academic year to guarantee access and on-time graduation for associate degree recipients.

Mandates state university boards of trustees to implement block tuition policies for undergraduate students by fall 2018 semester and revises the preeminent state research universities program graduation rate requirement from 6 years to 4 years at 50 percent or higher.

Expands the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program to include textbooks and college-related expenses for Florida Academic Scholars, extends Benacquisto Scholarships to nonresident students, and creates the Florida Farmworker Student Scholarship Program providing up to 50 scholarships annually.