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The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program has been around since 1989 when it was known as the Florida Undergraduate Scholars' Fund.
Today, the scholarship program is open to all high school seniors in the state of Florida who maintain a certain GPA, and receive certain ACT and SAT scores before their highschool graduation. In 1997 the name "Florida Bright Futures" was adopted for the scholarship program, and the Undergraduate Scholars' Fund became the Academic Scholars award.
Today the Bright Futures scholarship will pay for 75% or 100% of public college tuition cost in-state. The amount of the award depends on the student's exact grade average, SAT scores, ACT scores, and the specific classes he or she has taken during the high school years. If you want to see exact eligibility requirements, check out this fact-sheet on Florida bright futures scholarship.
Despite cuts in the Florida education budget, the legislatures have assured the voters and media that Bright Futures will be safe for at least another year of Florida high school graduates. One problem from a budgetary perspective is that raising tuition also requires them to raise the amount set-aside for this merit-based scholarship program. As long as the students do well and follow the course guidelines, they will receive the scholarship until the law changes.
Unfortunately, if the program were to be discontinued, it would be a big problem for current high schoolers who have been working toward the specific steps and goals required.
One proposal to save costs and keep the scholarship at the same time was to reduce the amount paid to the less in-demand majors like liberal arts. Students studying science, medicine, and technology would have gotten a small increase while students in other majors would have faced a slightly larger decrease. This plan didn't get much support, but it may become necessary for discussion later in the year or next year as the issue of falling property taxes and budget deficits gets worse.
Today, the scholarship program is open to all high school seniors in the state of Florida who maintain a certain GPA, and receive certain ACT and SAT scores before their highschool graduation. In 1997 the name "Florida Bright Futures" was adopted for the scholarship program, and the Undergraduate Scholars' Fund became the Academic Scholars award.
Today the Bright Futures scholarship will pay for 75% or 100% of public college tuition cost in-state. The amount of the award depends on the student's exact grade average, SAT scores, ACT scores, and the specific classes he or she has taken during the high school years. If you want to see exact eligibility requirements, check out this fact-sheet on Florida bright futures scholarship.
Despite cuts in the Florida education budget, the legislatures have assured the voters and media that Bright Futures will be safe for at least another year of Florida high school graduates. One problem from a budgetary perspective is that raising tuition also requires them to raise the amount set-aside for this merit-based scholarship program. As long as the students do well and follow the course guidelines, they will receive the scholarship until the law changes.
Unfortunately, if the program were to be discontinued, it would be a big problem for current high schoolers who have been working toward the specific steps and goals required.
One proposal to save costs and keep the scholarship at the same time was to reduce the amount paid to the less in-demand majors like liberal arts. Students studying science, medicine, and technology would have gotten a small increase while students in other majors would have faced a slightly larger decrease. This plan didn't get much support, but it may become necessary for discussion later in the year or next year as the issue of falling property taxes and budget deficits gets worse.
Using Bright Futures at a Private College or University
You can use it anywhere in the state. Just remember the cost of a private college is much higher than the tuition cost at a public college. That difference will have to come out of financial aid, additional scholarships, student loans, employment, or some combination of those.
The better you do the more you get
Study for the SATs and get Good Grades for a top award
Florida Bright Futures is all about being rewarded for learning and hard work. Invest in yourself and study the material on the standardized tests. A good SAT and/or ACT score will help you get even higher award amounts when it comes time to apply for the program.
Also, this will open up more scholarships, more admissions choices, and don't forget you'll be better prepared for the academic challenges of college.
Also, this will open up more scholarships, more admissions choices, and don't forget you'll be better prepared for the academic challenges of college.
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Florida Budget Means Bright Futures Cuts
Politicians looking to free cash from the state budget are looking at college scholarships
Due to the economic crises of 2008-2010, it is highly likely that students arriving in college during future years might be asked to fork over a bit more of their own cash when they're paying for tuition. Despite paying for the majority of college costs for many many classes of Floridian students, the Bright Futures might be fading from a primary funding source to something a little bit more supplemental...
The good news though, is that at least the public universities and community colleges are still affordable - whether or not you're eligible for a scholarship award, and whether or not its going to pay 75% or 100%!
The good news though, is that at least the public universities and community colleges are still affordable - whether or not you're eligible for a scholarship award, and whether or not its going to pay 75% or 100%!
by independent1
independent1
I'm a political science major and college financial aid analyst from Florida. I like building websites its got to be the cheapest way of getting a mes... more »
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