Here are major higher-education initiatives that will be considered during the legislative session that starts Tuesday:
— BRIGHT FUTURES: Negron would expand the top-level award for “academic scholars” to cover 100 percent of tuition and fees. It currently covers about half of the cost, which averages around $200 per credit hour. Negron would also provide $300 per semester for books.
The Senate plan (SB 2) also would expand Bright Futures for academic scholars to the summer semester. Scott wants to expand all Bright Future scholarships, including medallion students, to the summer semester. Scott also wants to boost the award for academic scholars by 10 percent.
— OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS: The Senate would double the state match for a scholarship program that supports “first generation” in college students. It would also expand to out-of-state students the Benacquisto scholarships, which pay full tuition for National Merit scholars in Florida. Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, also is seeking to provide full scholarships to about 50 students per year from farmworker families.
