(1) Universities may award a scholarship to a degree-seeking student who is a citizen of a Latin American or Caribbean country and seeks to attend a state university on a full-time basis. Recipients of a Latin American and Caribbean Scholarship shall be classified as residents for tuition purposes.
    (a) In addition to eligibility requirements contained herein, universities may impose additional criteria.
    (b) Scholarships awarded by a university must be funded from state funds appropriated to universities in the General Appropriations Act, investment earnings as provided under Florida Statutes § 1011.43, or from federally authorized scholarship funds. Universities may use equal matching funds from private businesses, private foundations, and public agencies.
    (2) Eligible Latin American and Caribbean countries and territories are: Anguilla; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Aruba; Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Bermuda; Bolivia; Brazil; British Virgin Islands; Caribbean Netherlands; Cayman Islands; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Cuba; Curacao; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; El Salvador; Falkland Islands; French Guiana; Grenada; Guadeloupe; Guatemala; Guyana; Haiti; Honduras; Jamaica; Martinique; Mexico; Montserrat; Nicaragua; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Puerto Rico; St. Barthelemy; St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Maarten/St. Martin; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Suriname; Trinidad and Tobago; Turks and Caicos Islands; Uruguay; U.S. Virgin Islands; and Venezuela.
    (3) Scholarship eligibility is limited to students making satisfactory academic progress as defined by the respective university’s standards of academic progress and who are enrolled on a full-time basis. Continued eligibility must be determined each semester for renewal purposes.
    (4) Without regard to other awards or scholarships the student may receive, the Latin American and Caribbean Scholarship, together with any matching funds, must equal at least $500.00 for the semester.
    (5) This rule shall not disqualify any student receiving the scholarship prior to Spring 2017 provided the student continuously meets scholarship requirements.
    (6) Each university shall report the number and value of all scholarships provided pursuant to this rule in a format and timeframe prescribed by the Board of Governors.
Rulemaking Authority 1009.21 FS. Law Implemented Florida Statutes § 1009.21. History-New 10-18-16.