On Monday, the Senate Education Committee approved a bill which will allow an additional 44,000 Bright Futures students to have their scholarships expanded.
The bill, SB 4, sponsored by Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, will raise tuition coverage for “medallion scholars” in state universities from $77 per credit hour to $159. This will save the students roughly 75% of their tuition and fees costs.
The bill will also assist medallion scholars at state colleges; boosting their tuition coverage from $63 per credit hour to $80 for associate degree candidates, and $92 for those enrolled in upper-division courses.
“Academic scholars,” the highest level for Bright Futures, will benefit from a permanent expansion to their 100% tuition coverage. While they currently benefit from full tuition coverage, the policy is only guaranteed through the end of the year.
The Bright Futures expansion is estimated to cost the state $77 million. Last spring, similar language was included in a bill (SB 374) which ended up being passed by the Legislature only to be vetoed by Gov. Rick Scott.
