HB 793 Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program Bill ...

1 HB 793 florida bright futures scholarship program (CH. 2016-91, Laws of Florida ) Bill Sponsor: Representative O Toole Effective Date: Upon becoming law DOE Contact: Linda Champion, Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Operations, (850) 245-0406 Executive Summary: The bill modifies the initial eligibility period for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program for students who are unable to accept an award due to full-time religious or service obligations lasting at least 18 months. Eliminates references to outdated test score requirements for the Florida Academic and Florida Medallion Scholars awards and removes the higher test score requirement for home education students whose parents cannot document a college-preparatory curriculum. Modifies student community service work requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program awards and expands the definition of what constitutes community service.

2 Creates the Florida Gold Seal CAPE* Scholars award, an additional pathway for a student to receive a vocational Scholarship under the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program . Provides an appropriation of $66,468 in recurring funds from the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund for Fiscal Year 2016-17 to implement amendments. Section 1. Amends , , Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program ; student eligibility requirements for initial awards, to: Allow a student who has full-time religious or service obligation lasting at least 18 months, to begin the two-year eligibility period for an initial award and the five-year period for a renewal award upon completion of the obligation. Require the organization sponsoring the obligation to meet requirements for nonprofit status or be a federal government service organization. Require documentation in writing and to be verified by the organization on a form prescribed by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE).

3 Eliminate obsolete language related to test score requirements. Eliminate a higher test score requirement for home-educated students. Section 2. Amends s. , , Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program ; student eligibility requirements for renewal awards, to: Provide awards to eligible Florida Gold Seal CAPE* recipients to complete a Bachelor of Science degree or Bachelor of Applied Science degree. Section 3. Amends s. , , Florida Academic Scholars award, to: Clarify community service as volunteer service work for the Florida Academic Scholars award and expand volunteer work areas to include business or governmental internship or activities on behalf of a candidate for public office. Clarify that students may not receive remuneration or academic credit for the volunteer service work performed. Establish accountability requirements that include documentation in writing by the student, the student s parent and a representative of the organization for which the student volunteered.

4 Section 4. Amends s. , , Florida Medallion Scholars award, to: Clarify community service as volunteer service work for the Florida Medallion Scholars award and expand volunteer work areas to include business or governmental internship or activities on behalf of a candidate for public office. Clarify that students may not receive remuneration or academic credit for the volunteer service work performed. Establish accountability requirements that include documentation in writing by the student, the student s parent and a representative of the organization for which the student volunteered. Section 5. Amends s. , , Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award, to: Clarify community service as volunteer service work for the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award and expand volunteer work areas to include business or governmental internship or activities on behalf of a candidate for public office.

5 Clarify that students may not receive remuneration or academic credit for the volunteer service work performed. Establish accountability requirements that include documentation in writing by the student, the student s parent and a representative of the organization for which the student volunteered. Create the Florida Gold Seal CAPE* Scholars award as an alternative to the current Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award. High school students graduating in 2016-17 are eligible for a Florida Gold Seal CAPE* Scholars award if they earn five postsecondary credit hours through CAPE* industry certifications and complete at least 30 hours of volunteer service work. Students initially eligible in the 2017-18 academic year may receive an award for specific applied technology diplomas, technical degree programs or career certificate programs . Provide expanded funding to CAPE* scholars for an eligible Bachelor of Science degree or Bachelor of Applied Science degree upon completion of an eligible technical degree.

6 Section 6. Provides an appropriation of $66,468 in recurring funds from the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund for the purpose of implementing the amendments to s. , Section 7. Provides for the act to take effect upon becoming a law. General Implementation Timeline: Upon becoming law Upon the Governor s signature, all communications to school districts regarding amendments to the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship will be sent via electronic mail and posted on the department s Office of Student Financial Assistance website. August 2016 All updates to the State Student Financial Aid Database relating to 2015-16 eligibility will be completed. August 2017 All updates to the State Student Financial Aid Database relating to 2016-17 eligibility will be completed.