The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Rules
BILL: CS/SB 1060
INTRODUCER: Education Committee and Senator Hutson
SUBJECT: Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program Student Service Requirements
DATE: March 1, 2022
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Palazesi Bouck ED Fav/CS
2. Grace Sadberry AP Favorable
3. Palazesi Phelps RC Favorable
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information:
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE - Substantial Changes
I. Summary:
CS/SB 1060 modifies the eligibility requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
Program to include an option for students to use paid work hours in lieu of volunteer hours to
qualify for a scholarship. Additionally, the bill requires a student to evaluate and reflect upon his
or her paid work experience through papers or other presentations, and makes it optional for a
student to identify a social or civic issue or a professional area and develop a plan for personal
involvement or learning about the area.
The bill has an indeterminate fiscal impact. See Section V. Fiscal Impact Statement.
The takes effect on July 1, 2022.
II. Present Situation:
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
In 1997,
1
the Florida Legislature created the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program (Bright
Futures Program), a postsecondary scholarship program funded by the lottery. The intent of the
Bright Futures Program was to reward any Florida high school graduate who merits recognition
of high academic achievement and who enrolls in a degree program, certificate program, or
applied technology program at an eligible Florida public or private postsecondary education
1
Chapter 97-379, L.O.F.
REVISED: BILL: CS/SB 1060 Page 2
institution.
2
Since 1997, the Bright Futures Program has disbursed $7.48 billion to over 2.9
million students.
3
The Bright Futures Program consists of the following awards:
Florida Academic Scholars (FAS);
Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS);
Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars (FGSC); and
Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (FGSV).
4
Florida Academic Scholarship and Florida Medallion Scholarship
A Florida high school student who wishes to qualify for the FAS or FMS award must graduate
from a Florida public high school with a standard high school diploma, graduate from a private
high school registered with the Florida Department of Education (DOE), earn a general
education diploma (GED), complete a home education program, or graduate from a non-Florida
high school as an eligible student.
5
A student must also meet the following initial eligibility
requirements:
6
2
Section 1009.53(1), F.S.
3
Florida Department of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance, Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Disbursement
History, https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org//PDF/PSI/BFReportsD.pdf, (last visited Feb. 2, 2022).
4
Section 1009.53(2), F.S.
5
2021-22 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 1: Initial Eligibility Requirements (Aug. 5, 2021), at 3, available at
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1.pdf. An out-of-state student may qualify for a
Bright Futures Scholarship if the student earned a high school diploma from a non-Florida school while living with a parent
or guardian who is a Florida resident and on military or public service assignment away from Florida during the student’s last
year of high school. Florida Department of Education, Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and the Out-Of-State
Student (2021-22), at 2, available at https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFOOSGuide.pdf.
6
2021-22 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 1: Initial Eligibility Requirements (Aug. 5, 2021), at 3, available at
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1.pdf. BILL: CS/SB 1060 Page 3
Scholarship
Type
16 High School Course Credits
7
High School
Weighted Bright
Futures GPA
College
Entrance
Exams
(ACT/SAT)
8
Service Hours
FAS
9
4 - English
(three must include substantial
writing)
4 - Mathematics
(at or above the Algebra I level)
3 - Natural Science
(two must have substantial laboratory)
3 - Social Science
2 - World Language
(sequential, in same language)
3.50 29/1330 100 hours
FMS
10
3.00 25/1210 75 hours
A student who has demonstrated academic merit through a recognition program may be eligible
for a FAS or FMS award without having to meet the college entrance exam requirement. These
merit recognition programs include:
National Merit Finalists and Scholars;
National Hispanic Scholars;
Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma;
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma;
11
A FAS award recipient is eligible for an award equal to the amount necessary to pay 100 percent
of tuition and applicable fees and an additional stipend for textbooks as specified in the General
Appropriations Act (GAA).
12
A FMS award recipient is eligible for an award equal to the amount
necessary to pay 75 percent of tuition and fees,
13
however, an eligible FMS recipient enrolled at a
Florida College System (FCS) institution is eligible for an award amount equal to the amount
necessary to pay 100 percent of tuition and fees.
14
A student may receive a FAS or FMS award for a maximum of 100 percent of the number of
credit hours required to complete an associate degree, baccalaureate degree, or postsecondary
career certificate program.
15
7
The required coursework aligns with the State University System admission requirements found in Florida Board of
Governor’s Regulation 6.002, Admission of Undergraduate First-Time-in-College, Degree-Seeking Freshmen, available at
https://www.flbog.edu/wp-content/uploads/6_002FINAL_FTIC_03252020.pdf.
8
Section 1009.531(6)(b)-(d), F.S. To ensure the required exam scores represent top student performance and are equivalent
between the ACT and SAT, the department determines the score for FAS as no lower than 89
th
national percentile on the
SAT, for FMS no lower than 75
th
national percentile on the SAT, and the required ACT score must be made concordant. The
department must publish any changes to the exam requirements that apply to students graduating in the next 2 years.
9
Section 1009.534, F.S.
10
Section 1009.535, F.S.
11
Sections 1009.535(1)(b)-(e), F.S.
12
Section 1009.534(2), F.S. The 2021 GAA did not provide funds for a textbook stipend. Specific Appropriation 5, ch. 2021-
36, L.O.F.
13
Section 1009.535(2), F.S.
14
Id. Beginning with the fall 2021 semester, a FMS who is enrolled in an associate degree program at a FCS institution is
eligible for the award.
15
Section 1009.532(3)(a), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 1060 Page 4
For the 2020-2021 academic year, a total of $438,909,995 was disbursed to 67,369 students
16
receiving a FAS award and $212,251,523 to 51,818 students
17
receiving a FMS award.
Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship
A Florida high school student who wishes to qualify for the Florida Gold Seal Vocational
Scholarship (FGSV) award must meet the following initial eligibility requirements:
Achieve a minimum 3.0 weighted GPA in the non-elective high school courses;
Take at least three full credits in a single career and technical education program;
Achieve a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA in the career education courses;
Complete 30 service hours; and
18
Achieve the required minimum score on the ACT, SAT, or Florida Postsecondary Education
Readiness Test (P.E.R.T.) exams depicted in the table below:
19
Exam Type Sub-test Required Score
ACT Reading 19
English 17
Mathematics 19
SAT Reading Test 24
Writing and Language Test 25
Math Test 24
P.E.R.T. Reading 106
Writing 103
Mathematics 114
A FGSV award recipient is eligible for an award equal to the amount specified in the GAA.
20
A student may receive a FGSV award for a maximum of 100 percent of the number of credit
hours or equivalent clock hours required to complete an applied technology diploma, associate in
applied science or associate in science degree, or a postsecondary career certificate program.
21
For the 2020-2021 academic year, a total of $638,015 was disbursed to 755 students
22
receiving a
FGSV award.
16
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Disbursement History (as of Sep. 2021),
available at https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/PSI/BFReportsD2.pdf.
17
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, Florida Medallion Scholars Disbursement History (as of Sep. 2021),
available at https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/PSI/BFReportsD3.pdf.
18
Section 1009.532(1), F.S.; See also 2021-22 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 1: Initial Eligibility Requirements
(Aug. 5, 2021), at 6, available at https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1.pdf.
19
Id.
20
Section 1009.536(3), F.S.
21
Section 1009.532(5)(a)1., F.S.; See also 2021-22 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 2: What You Need to Know
Now That You Are Eligible (July 1, 2021), at 3, available at
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter2.pdf.
22
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Disbursement History (as of Sep.
2021), available at https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/PSI/BFReportsD4.pdf. BILL: CS/SB 1060 Page 5
Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholarship
A Florida high school student who wishes to qualify for the Florida Gold Seal Career and
Professional Education (FGSC) Scholarship must meet the following initial eligibility
requirements:
Earn a minimum of five postsecondary credit hours through CAPE industry certifications
which articulate for college credit; and
Complete 30 service hours.
23
A FGSC award recipient is eligible for an award equal to the amount specified in the GAA.
24
A student may receive an FGSC award for a maximum of 100 percent of the number of credit
hours or equivalent clock hours required to complete an applied technology diploma, associate in
applied science or associate in science degree, or a postsecondary career certificate program.
25
Upon completion of an eligible associate in science degree program which articulates to a
baccalaureate degree, a FGSC scholar may also receive an award for a maximum of 60 credit
hours toward the baccalaureate degree.
26
For the 2020-2021 academic year, a total of $262,253 was disbursed to 286 students
27
receiving a
FGSC award.
Student Volunteer Requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
To be eligible for a scholarship award under the Bright Futures Program, a student must
complete a specified number of hours of volunteer service work. A student must meet the
following service hour requirements:
Bright Futures
Scholarship Program
Required Service
Hours
28
FAS 100
FMS 75
FGSV 30
FGSC 30
The student’s volunteer service work must be approved by the district school board, the
administrators of a nonpublic school, or the DOE for home education students.
29
Each district school board and the administrators of a nonpublic school must establish approved
activities and the process for documentation of service hours, including the deadline by which
23
Section 1009.536(2)(a)-(b), F.S.
24
Section 1009.536(3), F.S.
25
Section 1009.532(4)(b)1., F.S.; See also 2021-22 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 2: What You Need to Know
Now That You Are Eligible (July 1, 2021), at 3, available at
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter2.pdf.
26
Section 1009.536(5)(b)2., F.S.
27
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars Disbursement History (as of Sep. 2021),
available at https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/PSI/BFReportsD5.pdf.
28
Sections 1009.534(1), 1009.535(1), 1009.536(1)(e), and 1009.536(3)(b), F.S.
29
Id. BILL: CS/SB 1060 Page 6
the hours must be completed.
30
Service work may include, but is not limited to, a business or
governmental internship, work for a nonprofit community service organization, or activities on
behalf of a candidate for public office.
31
Except for credit earned through service-learning
courses,
32
the student may not receive payment or academic credit for service work performed.
33
The hours earned by a student must be documented in writing, signed by the student and the
student’s parent or guardian, and a representative of the organization where the work was
performed.
In addition to the service hours, a student must identify a social or civic issue or a professional
area that interests him or her, develop a plan for their personal involvement in addressing the
issue or learning more about the area, and, through papers or presentations, evaluate and reflect
upon his or her experience.
34
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
CS/SB 1060 modifies the eligibility requirements for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program to
include an option for students to use paid work hours in lieu of volunteer hours to qualify for a
scholarship. Specifically, the bill allows students, beginning with students graduating in the
2022-2023 academic year and thereafter, to meet volunteer service or paid work requirements
through:
35
Florida Academic Scholars (FAS): 100 hours of volunteer service or 300 hours of paid work;
Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS): 75 hours of volunteer service or at least 300 hours of paid
work; and
Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (FGSV) and Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars
(FGSC): 30 hours of volunteer service or at least 300 hours of paid work.
The paid work hours must meet the requirements for volunteer hours, including documentation
in writing of paid work hours, and a student evaluation and reflection upon his or her volunteer
service or paid work experience through papers or other presentations. The bill also makes it
optional for a student to identify a social or civic issue or a professional area and develop a plan
for personal involvement or learning about the area.
The takes effect on July 1, 2022.
30
2021-22 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 1: Initial Eligibility Requirements (Aug. 5, 2021), at 4 and 6-7,
available at https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1.pdf.
31
Id.
32
Section 1003.497, F.S.
33
2021-22 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 1: Initial Eligibility Requirements (Aug. 5, 2021), at 4 and 6-7,
available at https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1.pdf.
34
2021-22 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 1: Initial Eligibility Requirements (Aug. 5, 2021), at 4 and 6-7,
available at https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1.pdf.
35
The bill does not provide an option for students to qualify for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program using a combination
of volunteer and paid hours. BILL: CS/SB 1060 Page 7
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
Private business could see an increase in the number of high school students applying for
employment opportunities that qualify for the Bright Futures Scholarship program.
Additionally, expanding the eligibility requirements could lead to more students
qualifying for the Bright Futures Scholarship program, making college more affordable
for students.
C. Government Sector Impact:
According to the Department of Education, the bill could lead to more students qualifying
for a Bright Futures award due to expanding the pathways toward successfully
completing the service hour requirement. The total number of additional students seeking
to utilize the pathway of paid work to satisfy the initial eligibility requirement is
indeterminable at this time.
36
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
36
Florida Department of Education, 2022 Agency Bill Analysis for HB 461 (Dec. 6, 2021). BILL: CS/SB 1060 Page 8
VII. Related Issues:
The bill does not address whether students may use past work hours to meet the requirements.
Since the Bright Futures Scholarship program requires the student to submit a plan for volunteer
hours, most school districts had a “pre-approval” type process for these hours. Accordingly,
students who only had work hours, which do not currently count toward the requirement, likely
would not have submitted a plan for approval and would be limited to those hours earned after
July 1, 2022.
37
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends sections 1009.534, 1009.535, and 1009.536 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Substantial Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
CS by Education on February 8, 2022:
The committee substitute increases the number of paid work hours required for specified
Bright Futures scholarships to equal the paid work hours required for the Florida
Academic Scholars award, as follows:
Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS): increases the 75 paid work hours in the bill to at
least 300 hours; and
Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (FGSV) and Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars
(FGSC): increases the 30 paid work hours in the bill to at least 300 hours.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.
37
Id.