Bright Futures

"For some students that are sort of just barely hitting the qualifying threshold, this could have significant impact on their future planning," said Bethany Lacey, chief executive officer of Take Stock in Children.

The scholarship program provides partial and full scholarships for Floridians to attend in-state colleges and universities.

HB 461 allows 100 hours of paid work experience to replace community service hours required for Bright Futures.

Florida lawmakers decided this session to eliminate a pair of programs, including a $600 stipend to Bright Futures recipients.

House Higher Education Appropriations Chairman Rene Plasencia, R-Orlando, told reporters the stipend was “subsidizing textbook companies.”

When lawmakers have slashed Florida's Bright Futures scholarship during past difficult budget cycles, Black and Latino students lost out the most.

The Florida House and Senate each are proposing different ways to slash as much as $593 million from the state university system this fiscal year.

Senate President Wilton Simpson says since the scholarships are funded through state money, the state has a right to examine where those dollars are going and what they’re being used on.

Said Senate President Wilton Simpson: “We’re saying that we’d prefer the degree you’re getting leads to a job, and I think that’s fair."

It could become even tougher for Florida students to get bright futures scholarships. A senate proposal would match the state score requirements for the...

Florida "medallion scholars" will be among the biggest beneficiaries this academic year of the state's efforts to expand financial aid for university...

For the first time in 17 years, top-performing students will be able to use their Bright Futures scholarships to attend summer classes at state...