University

USF Funding Priorities Included in New State Budget

Construction workers in USF reflector jackets looking up at the new USF building

The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute in the new Water Street district of downtown Tampa received critical funding.

Florida’s 2019-2020 budget, signed into law June 21 by Gov. Ron DeSantis, includes funding for critical projects at USF.

Here is a breakdown of USF funding priorities passed by the legislature and approved by the governor:

  • $12.4 million toward completing the construction of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute in the new Water Street district of downtown Tampa. It was critical that USF received the final portion of funding this year so the facility can open on schedule in December 2019. This state-of-the-art facility, pictured below, is one of the most significant projects in USF System history and will be transformational for the Tampa Bay region and state of Florida.

  • USF Sarasota-Manatee received $5 million in recurring funds for operational support, which will help provide new course and degree program options for students on that campus.

  • USF St. Petersburg received $3.5 million in recurring funds for operational support, which will help provide new course and degree options for students on that campus.

  • USF St. Petersburg’s Citizen Scholar Partnership program received $300,000 to continue its partnership with the YMCA Youth in Government program.

  • USF received $200,000 to implement and oversee a new pilot program to provide “alternative treatment options” for veterans certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or a branch of the U.S. military as having PTSD or a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Alternative treatments include accelerated resolution therapy (ART), hyperbaric oxygen therapy and music therapy.