In 1997, the Florida Legislature created the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program. This Florida Lottery-funded scholarship rewards students for their academic achievements during high school by providing funding for them to pursue postsecondary educational and career goals in Florida.
In 2009, the Florida Legislature made significant changes to the Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
Senate Bill 2600 - General Appropriations Act (GAA)
- Specifies Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program award amounts per credit hour for four year schools in the 2009-10 academic year as follows:
Academic Scholars Award....................... $126.00
Medallion Scholars Award....................... $95.00
Senate Bill 1696 - Conforming Bill
- Removes Bright Futures college-related expense awards for Florida Academic Scholars.
- Requires students to refund to Bright Futures award amount received for course(s) which were dropped or withdrawn after the drop and add period.
- Revises credit hour requirements for full-time students to earn 24 semester hours (or the equivalent) per academic year (and prorated for part-time enrollment).