Florida lawmakers have recently begun searching for means to boost scholarships and to pay for more of students college tuition in order to provide more support as students pay for and attend college.
Over the summer, the Florida Senate proposed a new legislative bill that that would cover the expenses of college for certain students. Florida Governor Rick Scott had the final say in whether the bill was ratified.
In order to qualify, students would have to earn the highest ranking of the Bright Futures Scholarship, the Florida Academic Scholar. A 1290 SAT score or 29 ACT is required, a minimum weighted GPA of 3.5, and 100 service hours, among other things.
The bill proposed would cover between 75 and 100 percent of tuition, summer classes, and a $300 stipend per semester for books and other supplies.
Back when it was first started, the Bright Futures Scholarship covered specific increments of tuition for students: 25, 50, 75, or 100 percent depending on a student’s scholarship credentials. The scholarship was scaled back during the 2008 economic recession, because the government did not have the means to pay for student scholarships.
Since then, the scholarship has been brought back but covers significantly less than it used to. Now, legislators are searching to restore the scholarship to what it used to provide for students.
In the end the new bill was not passed by Governor Scott. A section of the bill called for a limit placed on bachelor programs within community colleges so they could not expand to cover more study areas for students. Scott did not like that the bill inhibited the schools and therefore the students and communities they served.
However this is not the end of the bill. Scott is urging the legislature to bring the bill up for reelection later this year which would allow a large enough window for current high school seniors who earn the highest scholarship to reap the benefits of the legislative act going into their 2018-2019 college school year. The expansion of the scholarship would be permanent and show the importance of both state and community colleges for students.
The Florida Bright Futures bill was not the only bill proposed this year in order to financially support college-bound students.
As of September 25, 2017, the Senate has also proposed a new legislative bill that would cover the costs of tuition for many college students across Florida. The “Sunshine Scholarship” program would cover 100 percent of tuition for Florida resident students whose total household income is less than $125,000. It also requires a student to have a 2.5 GPA and take at least 30 credits a year. However, there is a large condition attached.
The students who utilize the program must agree to live and work within the state after their graduation. They must work and live in Florida for the same amount of time that they received funds for schooling. If the person moves or works outside of the state before the agreed amount of time passes then they must repay the total cost of their schooling plus an additional annual interest rate equivalent to the student loan interest rate the year the student began the program.
The program would cover the costs of tuition for both an associate and bachelor degree. Graduate schooling for a master’s or doctorate degree is not included. The program only applies to schooling; no additional funding is provided.
The bill was just recently filed and is in the process of legislation so there is no final word yet on its outcome.
Lauren Johnston // Backpage Editor and Business Manager
