Senate Bill sb0018Bc1

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    Florida Senate - 2001                           CS for SB 18-B

    By the Committee on Appropriations; and Senator Sullivan





    22-505B-02

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to student financial

  3         assistance; amending s. 240.40201, F.S.;

  4         revising the eligibility period for the Florida

  5         Bright Futures Scholarship Program;

  6         redesignating the Florida Merit Scholarship as

  7         the Florida Medallion Scholarship; amending s.

  8         240.40202, F.S.; defining terms; revising

  9         application dates; providing for initial

10         acceptance of a scholarship, to conform;

11         amending s. 240.40203, F.S.; defining terms;

12         providing conditions for awards to students in

13         programs that confer postbaccalaureate degrees;

14         conforming provisions; amending s. 240.40204,

15         F.S.; eliminating obsolete provisions; amending

16         s. 240.40205, F.S.; eliminating obsolete

17         provisions; designating an award level for a

18         Florida Academic Scholarship; amending s.

19         240.40206, F.S.; conforming provisions;

20         increasing requirements for earning a Florida

21         Medallion Scholarship; designating award

22         levels; eliminating obsolete provisions;

23         amending s. 240.40207, F.S.; increasing the

24         eligibility requirements for earning the

25         Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship;

26         designating award levels; eliminating obsolete

27         provisions; amending s. 240.40209, F.S.;

28         providing for the calculation of awards;

29         amending s. 240.404, F.S.; requiring a report;

30         providing certain limitations on eligibility

31         for various state student grant programs;

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  1         repealing s. 240.40208, F.S., relating to a

  2         transition from certain scholarships to the

  3         Bright Futures Program; providing an effective

  4         date.

  5

  6  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

  7

  8         Section 1.  Subsections (1), (2), (5), and (7) of

  9  section 240.40201, Florida Statutes, are amended, and

10  subsection (11) is added to that section, to read:

11         240.40201  Florida Bright Futures Scholarship

12  Program.--

13         (1)  The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program is

14  created to establish a lottery-funded scholarship program to

15  reward any Florida high school graduate who merits recognition

16  of high academic achievement and who enrolls in a degree

17  program, certificate program, or applied technology diploma

18  program at an eligible Florida public or private postsecondary

19  education institution within 7 3 years after of graduation

20  from high school. An award may not be provided to a student

21  beyond 7 years after high school graduation, regardless of the

22  year in which the student first receives scholarship funding.

23         (2)  The Bright Futures Scholarship Program consists of

24  three types of awards, the Florida Academic Scholarship, the

25  Florida Medallion Merit Scholarship, and the Florida

26  Vocational Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship.

27         (5)  The department shall issue awards from the

28  scholarship program annually. Annual awards may be for up to

29  45 semester credit hours or the equivalent. Before the

30  registration period each semester, the department shall

31  transmit payment for each award to the president or director

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  1  of the postsecondary education institution, or his or her

  2  representative, except that the department may withhold

  3  payment if the receiving institution fails to report or to

  4  make refunds to the department as required in this act.

  5         (a)  Within 30 days after the end of regular

  6  registration each semester, the educational institution shall

  7  certify to the department the eligibility status of each

  8  student who receives an award. After the end of the drop and

  9  add period, an institution is not required to reevaluate or

10  revise a student's eligibility status, but must make a refund

11  to the department if a student who receives an award

12  disbursement terminates enrollment for any reason during an

13  academic term and a refund is permitted by the institution's

14  refund policy.

15         (b)  An institution that receives funds from the

16  program shall certify to the department the amount of funds

17  disbursed to each student and shall remit to the department

18  any undisbursed advances within 60 days after the end of

19  regular registration.

20         (c)  Each institution that receives moneys through this

21  program shall prepare an annual report that includes an

22  independent external audit or an audit prepared by the Office

23  of the Auditor General. The report shall include an audit of

24  the institution's administration of the program and a complete

25  accounting of the moneys for the program. This report must be

26  submitted to the department annually by March 1. The

27  department may conduct its own annual audit of an

28  institution's administration of the program. The department

29  may request a refund of any moneys overpaid to the institution

30  for the program. The department may suspend or revoke an

31  institution's eligibility to receive future moneys for the

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  1  program if the department finds that an institution has not

  2  complied with this section. The institution must remit within

  3  60 days any refund requested in accordance with this

  4  subsection.

  5         (7)  A student may receive only one type of award from

  6  the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program at a time, but

  7  may transfer from one type of award to another through the

  8  renewal application process, if the student's eligibility

  9  status changes. However, a student is not eligible to transfer

10  from a Florida Medallion Merit Scholarship or a Florida

11  Vocational Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship to a Florida

12  Academic Scholarship. A student who receives an award from the

13  program may also receive a federal family education loan or a

14  federal direct loan, and the value of the award must be

15  considered in the certification or calculation of the

16  student's loan eligibility.

17         (11)  A student who graduated from high school in 1997

18  or earlier and who is eligible for the Florida Undergraduate

19  Scholar's Program pursuant to s. 240.402, Florida Statutes,

20  1996 Supplement, is eligible for the Florida Academic Scholars

21  award as provided in this chapter. A student who graduated

22  from high school in 1997 or earlier and who is eligible for

23  the Florida Vocational Gold Seal Endorsement Scholarship award

24  pursuant to s. 240.40201, Florida Statutes, 1996 Supplement,

25  is eligible for the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship

26  award as provided in this chapter. Award eligibility ends 7

27  years after high school graduation.

28         Section 2.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) and

29  subsection (2) of section 240.40202, Florida Statutes, are

30  amended to read:

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    Florida Senate - 2001                           CS for SB 18-B
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  1         240.40202  Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program;

  2  student eligibility requirements for initial awards.--

  3         (1)  To be eligible for an initial award from any of

  4  the three types of scholarships under the Florida Bright

  5  Futures Scholarship Program, a student must:

  6         (b)  Earn a standard Florida high school diploma or its

  7  equivalent as described in s. 232.246 or s. 229.814 unless:

  8         1.  The student is enrolled full time in the early

  9  admission program of an eligible postsecondary education

10  institution or completes a home education program according to

11  s. 232.0201; or

12         2.  The student earns a high school diploma from a

13  non-Florida school while living with a parent or guardian who

14  is on military or public service assignment away from Florida.

15  The term "public service assignment," as used in this

16  subparagraph, means the occupational assignment outside this

17  state of a person who is a permanent resident of this state

18  and who is employed by the United States Government or the

19  State of Florida conditioned upon assignment outside this

20  state.

21         (2)  A student is eligible to accept an initial award

22  for 3 years following high school graduation and to accept a

23  renewal award for 7 years following high school graduation. A

24  student who applies for an award by April 1 and who meets all

25  other eligibility requirements, but who does not accept his or

26  her award during the first year of eligibility after high

27  school graduation, may apply for reinstatement of the award

28  for use within 7 reapply during subsequent application periods

29  up to 3 years after high school graduation. Reinstatement

30  applications must be received by the deadline established by

31  the Department of Education.

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  1         Section 3.  Section 240.40203, Florida Statutes, is

  2  amended to read:

  3         240.40203  Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program;

  4  student eligibility requirements for renewal, reinstatement,

  5  and restoration awards.--

  6         (1)  After the first year of eligibility, if a student

  7  wishes to receive To be eligible to renew a scholarship from

  8  any of the three types of scholarships under the Florida

  9  Bright Futures Scholarship Program, the a student must meet

10  the following requirements for either renewal, reinstatement,

11  or restoration:

12         (a)  Renewal applies to a student who received an award

13  for at least one term during the previous academic year. For

14  renewal, a student must complete at least 12 semester credit

15  hours or the equivalent in the last academic year in which the

16  student earned a scholarship and.

17         (b)  maintain the cumulative grade point average

18  required by the scholarship program, except that:

19         1.  If a recipient's grades fall beneath the average

20  required to renew a Florida Academic Scholarship, but are

21  sufficient to renew a Florida Medallion Merit Scholarship or a

22  Florida Vocational Gold Seal Scholarship, the Department of

23  Education may grant a renewal from the Florida Medallion

24  Scholarship Program one of those other scholarship programs,

25  if the student meets the renewal eligibility requirements; or

26         2.  If, upon renewal evaluation at any time during the

27  eligibility period, a student's grades or hours, or both, are

28  not sufficient insufficient to renew the scholarship, the

29  student may use the cumulative grades or hours, or both,

30  earned during the following summer to renew the scholarship

31  restore eligibility by improving the grade point average to

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  1  the required level. A student is eligible for such a

  2  reinstatement only once. The Legislature encourages education

  3  institutions to assist students to calculate whether or not it

  4  is possible to raise the grade point average during the summer

  5  term. If the institution determines that it is possible, the

  6  education institution may so inform the department, which may

  7  reserve the student's award if funds are available. The

  8  renewal, however, must not be granted until the student

  9  achieves the required cumulative grade point average and earns

10  the required number of credit hours. If during the summer term

11  the student does not earn is not sufficient hours or to raise

12  the grade point average to the required renewal level, the

13  student is not eligible for an award student's next

14  opportunity for renewal is the fall semester of the following

15  academic year.

16         (b)  Reinstatement applies to a student who was

17  eligible for, but did not receive, an award during the

18  previous academic year or years and who may apply to

19  reestablish use of the scholarship. For reinstatement, a

20  student must have been eligible at the time of the student's

21  most recent Bright Futures eligibility determination. The

22  student must apply for reinstatement by submitting a

23  reinstatement application by the deadline established by the

24  Department of Eduction.

25         (c)  Restoration applies to a student who did not meet

26  renewal grade-point-average or hours-earned requirements at a

27  prior evaluation period. A student may restore eligibility by

28  meeting the required renewal grade-point average at a

29  subsequent renewal evaluation period. A student is eligible

30  for restoration only once. The student must submit a

31

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  1  restoration application by the deadlines established by the

  2  Department of Education.

  3         (2)  A student who is enrolled in a program that

  4  terminates in an associate degree or a baccalaureate degree

  5  may receive an award for a maximum of 110 percent of the

  6  number of credit hours required to complete the program. A

  7  student who is enrolled in a program that terminates in a

  8  technical certificate may receive an award for a maximum of

  9  110 percent of the credit hours or clock hours required to

10  complete the program up to 90 credit hours. A student who

11  transfers from one of these program levels to another becomes

12  eligible for the higher of the two credit hour limits.

13         (3)  A Florida Academic Scholar or a Florida Medallion

14  Scholar who is enrolled in a combined undergraduate and

15  graduate program that terminates in the award of a

16  post-baccalaureate degree or the simultaneous award of

17  baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate degrees may receive an

18  award for a maximum of 110 percent of the number of credit

19  hours required to complete a standard undergraduate program at

20  the institution attended, at the undergraduate rate.

21         Section 4.  Section 240.40204, Florida Statutes, is

22  amended to read:

23         240.40204  Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program;

24  eligible postsecondary education institutions.--A student is

25  eligible for an award or the renewal of an award from the

26  Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program if the student

27  meets the requirements for the program as described in this

28  act and is enrolled in a postsecondary education institution

29  that meets the description in any one of the following

30  subsections:

31

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  1         (1)  A Florida public university, community college, or

  2  technical center.

  3         (2)  An independent Florida college or university that

  4  is accredited by an accrediting agency that is recognized by

  5  the United States Department of Education a member of the

  6  Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation and

  7  that which has operated in the state for at least 3 years.

  8         (3)  An independent Florida postsecondary education

  9  institution that is licensed by the Commission on Independent

10  Education State Board of Independent Colleges and Universities

11  and that which:

12         (a)  Is authorized to grant degrees;

13         (b)(a)  Shows evidence of sound financial condition;

14  and

15         (c)(b)  Has operated in the state for at least 3 years

16  without having its approval, accreditation, or license placed

17  on probation.

18         (4)  A Florida independent postsecondary education

19  institution that offers a nursing diploma approved by the

20  Board of Nursing.

21         (5)  A Florida independent postsecondary education

22  institution that is licensed by the Commission on Independent

23  Education State Board of Nonpublic Career Education and that

24  which:

25         (a)  Is authorized to award certificates or credentials

26  other than degrees;

27         (b)(a)  Has a program completion and placement rate of

28  at least the rate required by the current Florida Statutes,

29  the Florida Administrative Code, or the Department of

30  Education for an institution at its level; and

31

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  1         (c)(b)  Shows evidence of sound financial condition;

  2  and either:

  3         1.  Is accredited at the institutional level by an

  4  accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department

  5  of Education and has operated in the state for at least 3

  6  years during which there has been no complaint for which

  7  probable cause has been found; or

  8         2.  Has operated in Florida for 5 years during which

  9  there has been no complaint for which probable cause has been

10  found.

11         Section 5.  Section 240.40205, Florida Statutes, is

12  amended to read:

13         240.40205  Florida Academic Scholars award.--

14         (1)  A student is eligible for a Florida Academic

15  Scholars award if the student meets the general eligibility

16  requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship

17  Program and the student:

18         (a)  Has achieved a 3.5 weighted grade point average as

19  calculated pursuant to s. 240.40202, or its equivalent, in

20  high school courses that are designated by the Department of

21  Education adopted by the Board of Regents and recommended by

22  the State Board of Community Colleges as college-preparatory

23  academic courses; and

24         (b)  has attained at least the score identified by

25  rules of the Department of Education on the combined verbal

26  and quantitative parts of the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the

27  Scholastic Assessment Test, or the recentered Scholastic

28  Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination, or an

29  equivalent score on the American College Testing Program; or

30         (b)(c)  Has attended a home education program according

31  to s. 232.0201 during grades 11 and 12 or has completed the

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  1  International Baccalaureate curriculum but failed to earn the

  2  International Baccalaureate Diploma, and has attained at least

  3  the score identified by rules of the Department of Education

  4  on the combined verbal and quantitative parts of the

  5  Scholastic Aptitude Test, the Scholastic Assessment Test, or

  6  the recentered Scholastic Assessment Test of the College

  7  Entrance Examination, or an equivalent score on the American

  8  College Testing Program; or

  9         (c)(d)  Has been awarded an International Baccalaureate

10  Diploma from the International Baccalaureate Office; or

11         (d)(e)  Has been recognized by the merit or achievement

12  programs of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as a

13  scholar or finalist; or

14         (e)(f)  Has been recognized by the National Hispanic

15  Recognition Program as a scholar recipient.

16

17  Effective with the 1998-1999 school year, A student must

18  complete a program of community service work, as approved by

19  the district school board or the administrators of a nonpublic

20  school, which shall include a minimum of 75 hours of service

21  work and require the student to identify a social problem that

22  interests him or her, develop a plan for his or her personal

23  involvement in addressing the problem, and, through papers or

24  other presentations, evaluate and reflect upon his or her

25  experience.

26         (2)  Until July 1, 2006, a Florida Academic Scholar who

27  is enrolled in a public postsecondary education institution is

28  eligible for an award equal to the amount required to pay

29  matriculation, fees, and $600 for college-related expenses

30  annually. Until July 1, 2006, a student who is enrolled in a

31  nonpublic postsecondary education institution is eligible for

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  1  an award equal to the amount that would be required to pay for

  2  the average matriculation and fees of a public postsecondary

  3  education institution at the comparable level, plus the annual

  4  $600. Effective July 1, 2006, a student is eligible to receive

  5  a maximum annual award of $3,200 or the amount established in

  6  the General Appropriations Act.

  7         (3)  To be eligible for a renewal award as a Florida

  8  Academic Scholar, a student must maintain the equivalent of a

  9  grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all

10  postsecondary education work attempted, with an opportunity

11  for one restoration reinstatement as provided in this chapter

12  act.

13         (4)  In each school district, the Florida Academic

14  Scholar with the highest academic ranking shall be designated

15  as an Academic Top Scholar and shall be entitled to receive an

16  additional award of $1,500 for college-related expenses. This

17  award must be funded from the Florida Bright Futures

18  Scholarship Program.

19         Section 6.  Section 240.40206, Florida Statutes, is

20  amended to read:

21         240.40206  Florida Medallion Merit Scholars award.--

22         (1)  A student is eligible for a Florida Medallion

23  Merit Scholars award if the student meets the general

24  eligibility requirements for the Florida Bright Futures

25  Scholarship Program and the student:

26         (a)  Until July 1, 2006, has achieved a weighted grade

27  point average of 3.0, or on or after July 1, 2006, has

28  achieved a weighted grade point average of 3.25, as calculated

29  pursuant to s. 240.40202, or the equivalent, in high school

30  courses that are designated by the Department of Education

31  adopted by the Board of Regents and recommended by the State

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  1  Board of Community Colleges as college-preparatory academic

  2  courses; and

  3         (b)  has attained at least the score identified by

  4  rules of the Department of Education on the combined verbal

  5  and quantitative parts of the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the

  6  Scholastic Assessment Test, or the recentered Scholastic

  7  Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination, or an

  8  equivalent score on the American College Testing Program; or

  9         (b)(c)  Has attended a home education program according

10  to s. 232.0201 during grades 11 and 12 or has completed the

11  International Baccalaureate curriculum but failed to earn the

12  International Baccalaureate Diploma, and has attained at least

13  the score identified by rules of the Department of Education

14  on the combined verbal and quantitative parts of the

15  Scholastic Aptitude Test, the Scholastic Assessment Test, or

16  the recentered Scholastic Assessment Test of the College

17  Entrance Examination, or an equivalent score on the American

18  College Testing Program;.

19         (c)  Has been recognized by the merit or achievement

20  programs of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as a

21  scholar or finalist but has not completed a program of

22  community service as provided in s. 240.40205; or

23         (d)  Has been recognized by the National Hispanic

24  Recognition Program as a scholar, but has not completed a

25  program of community service as provided in s. 240.40205.

26         (2)  Until July 1, 2006, a Florida Medallion Merit

27  Scholar is eligible for an award equal to the amount required

28  to pay 75 percent of matriculation and fees, if the student is

29  enrolled in a public postsecondary education institution.

30  Until July 1, 2006, a student who is enrolled in a nonpublic

31  postsecondary education institution is eligible for an award

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  1  equal to the amount that would be required to pay 75 percent

  2  of the matriculation and fees of a public postsecondary

  3  education institution at the comparable level. Effective July

  4  1, 2006, a student is eligible to receive a maximum annual

  5  award of $1,900 or the amount established in the General

  6  Appropriations Act, if the student is enrolled in a public

  7  university or other eligible 4-year college or university that

  8  grants baccalaureate degrees or higher. Effective July 1,

  9  2006, a student who is enrolled in a public community college,

10  a nonpublic 2-year college, or a public technical center or

11  eligible nonpublic school is eligible to receive a maximum

12  annual award of $1,500 or the amount established in the

13  General Appropriations Act.

14         (3)  To be eligible for a renewal award as a Florida

15  Merit Scholar, a student must maintain the equivalent of a

16  grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for all

17  postsecondary education work attempted, with an opportunity

18  for restoration reinstatement one time as provided in this

19  chapter act.

20         Section 7.  Section 240.40207, Florida Statutes, is

21  amended to read:

22         240.40207  Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars

23  award.--The Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award is

24  created within the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

25  to recognize and reward academic achievement and vocational

26  preparation by high school students who wish to continue their

27  education.

28         (1)  A student is eligible for a Florida Gold Seal

29  Vocational Scholars award if the student meets the general

30  eligibility requirements for the Florida Bright Futures

31  Scholarship Program and the student:

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  1         (a)  Completes the secondary school portion of a

  2  sequential program of studies that requires at least three

  3  consecutive secondary school vocational credits. taken over at

  4  least 2 academic years, and is continued in a planned, related

  5  postsecondary education program. If the student's school does

  6  not offer such a two-plus-two or tech-prep program, the

  7  student must complete a job-preparatory career education

  8  program selected by the Workforce Estimating Conference or

  9  Workforce Florida, Inc., for its ability to provide high-wage

10  employment in an occupation with high potential for employment

11  opportunities. On-the-job training may not be substituted for

12  any of the three required vocational credits.

13         (b)  Demonstrates readiness for postsecondary education

14  by earning a passing score on the Florida College Entry Level

15  Placement Test or its equivalent as identified by the

16  Department of Education.

17         (c)  Until July 1, 2006, earns a minimum cumulative

18  weighted grade point average of 3.0, or on or after July 1,

19  2006, earns a minimum cumulative weighted grade point average

20  of 3.25, as calculated pursuant to s. 240.40202, on all

21  subjects required for a standard high school diploma,

22  excluding elective courses.

23         (d)  Earns a minimum unweighted grade point average of

24  3.5 on a 4.0 scale for secondary vocational courses comprising

25  the vocational program.

26         (e)  Completes the requirements of a vocational-ready

27  diploma program, as defined by rules of the State Board of

28  Education.

29         (2)  Until July 1, 2006, a Florida Gold Seal Vocational

30  Scholar is eligible for an award equal to the amount required

31  to pay 75 percent of matriculation and fees, if the student is

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  1  enrolled in a public postsecondary education institution.

  2  Until July 1, 2006, a student who is enrolled in a nonpublic

  3  postsecondary education institution is eligible for an award

  4  equal to the amount that would be required to pay 75 percent

  5  of the matriculation and mandatory fees of a public

  6  postsecondary education institution at the comparable level.

  7  Effective July 1, 2006, a student is eligible to receive a

  8  maximum annual award of $1,900 or the amount established in

  9  the General Appropriations Act, if the student is enrolled in

10  a public university or other eligible 4-year college or

11  university that grants baccalaureate degrees or higher.

12  Effective July 1, 2006, a student who is enrolled in a public

13  community college, a nonpublic 2-year college, or a public

14  technical center or eligible nonpublic school is eligible to

15  receive a maximum annual award of $1,500 or the amount

16  established in the General Appropriations Act.

17         (3)  To be eligible for a renewal or restoration award

18  as a Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholar, a student must meet

19  the requirements of s. 240.40203 and the maintain the

20  equivalent of a grade point average requirement of 2.75 on a

21  4.0 scale for all postsecondary education work attempted. A

22  student has, with an opportunity for restoration reinstatement

23  one time as provided in this chapter act.

24         (4)  A student may earn a Florida Gold Seal Vocational

25  Scholarship for 110 percent of the number of credit hours

26  required to complete the program, up to 90 credit hours or the

27  equivalent. A Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholar who meets

28  all renewal requirements for a Florida Medallion Scholars

29  award has a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 in all

30  postsecondary education work attempted may apply for a Florida

31  Medallion Merit Scholars award at any renewal period, or the

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    Florida Senate - 2001                           CS for SB 18-B
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  1  department may transfer the student to the Florida Medallion

  2  Scholars award during any renewal period. All other provisions

  3  of that program apply, and the credit-hour limitation must be

  4  calculated by subtracting from the student's total eligibility

  5  the number of credit hours the student attempted while earning

  6  the Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship.

  7         Section 8.  Section 240.40209, Florida Statutes, is

  8  amended to read:

  9         240.40209  Bright Futures Scholarship recipients

10  attending nonpublic institutions; calculation of

11  awards.--Notwithstanding ss. 240.40201, 240.40205, 240.40206,

12  and 240.40207, a student who receives any award under the

13  Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, who is enrolled in

14  a nonpublic postsecondary education institution, and who is

15  assessed tuition and fees that are the same as those of a

16  full-time student at that institution, shall receive a fixed

17  award calculated by using the average matriculation and fee

18  calculation as prescribed by the Department of Education for

19  full-time attendance at a public postsecondary education

20  institution at the comparable level. If the student is

21  enrolled part-time and is assessed tuition and fees at a

22  reduced level, the award shall be either one-half of the

23  maximum award or three-fourths of the maximum award, depending

24  on the level of fees assessed.

25         Section 9.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and

26  subsection (4) of section 240.404, Florida Statutes, are

27  amended to read:

28         240.404  General requirements for student eligibility

29  for state financial aid.--

30

31

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    Florida Senate - 2001                           CS for SB 18-B
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  1         (1)(a)  The general requirements for eligibility of

  2  students for state financial aid awards consist of the

  3  following:

  4         1.  Achievement of the academic requirements of and

  5  acceptance at a state university or community college; a

  6  nursing diploma school approved by the Florida Board of

  7  Nursing; a Florida college, university, or community college

  8  which is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the

  9  United States Department of Education a member of the

10  Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation; any

11  Florida institution the credits of which are acceptable for

12  transfer to state universities; any area technical center; or

13  any private vocational-technical institution accredited by an

14  accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department

15  of Education a member of the Commission on Recognition of

16  Postsecondary Accreditation.

17         2.  Residency in this state for no less than 1 year

18  preceding the award of aid for a program established pursuant

19  to s. 240.409, s. 240.4095, s. 240.4097, s. 240.412, s.

20  240.4125, s. 240.413, s. 240.4987, s. 240.605, or s. 240.606.

21  Residency in this state must be for purposes other than to

22  obtain an education. Resident status for purposes of receiving

23  state financial aid awards shall be determined in the same

24  manner as resident status for tuition purposes pursuant to s.

25  240.1201 and rules of the State Board of Education. A person

26  who has been properly classified as a resident by a

27  postsecondary education institution for initial receipt of

28  state-funded student financial assistance and found to be

29  eligible to participate in a financial assistance program may

30  continue to qualify as a resident for state-funded financial

31  aid programs if the student maintains continuous enrollment at

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    Florida Senate - 2001                           CS for SB 18-B
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  1  the postsecondary education institution, with no break in

  2  enrollment greater than 12 consecutive months.

  3         3.  Submission of certification attesting to the

  4  accuracy, completeness, and correctness of information

  5  provided to demonstrate a student's eligibility to receive

  6  state financial aid awards. Falsification of such information

  7  shall result in the denial of any pending application and

  8  revocation of any award currently held to the extent that no

  9  further payments shall be made. Additionally, students who

10  knowingly make false statements in order to receive state

11  financial aid awards shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the

12  second degree subject to the provisions of s. 837.06 and shall

13  be required to return all state financial aid awards

14  wrongfully obtained.

15         4.  Completion of the Free Application for Federal

16  Student Aid provided by the U.S. Department of Education and

17  submitted as required by the Florida Department of Education.

18         (4)  Effective July 1, 2006, a student is not eligible

19  to receive more than one state scholarship or state grant,

20  except that a student who qualifies for both a merit-based

21  scholarship and a need-based grant may receive both types of

22  awards. A No student is not shall be eligible to receive more

23  than one state scholarship that is based on academic merit.

24  Students who qualify for more than one such scholarship shall

25  be notified of all awards for which they qualify and shall be

26  provided the opportunity to accept one of their choosing.

27         Section 10.  Section 240.40208, Florida Statutes, is

28  repealed.

29         Section 11.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a

30  law.

31

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    Florida Senate - 2001                           CS for SB 18-B
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  1          STATEMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES CONTAINED IN
                       COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
  2                         Senate Bill 18-B

  3

  4  The Proposed Committee Substitute differs from the bill in
    that it establishes two levels of award for the Bright Futures
  5  Gold Seal Vocational and Medallion Scholarship Programs

  6  .     For a full-time student at a 4-year college or
          university, an annual award of $1,900.
  7
    .     For a full-time student at a 2-year community college or
  8        technical center, an annual award of $1,500.

  9  Makes several technical or administrative changes to the
    Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The technical changes have
10  no fiscal impact.

11  .     The Merit Scholarship is renamed the Medallion
          Scholarship.
12
    .     Application deadlines are less restrictive: a student
13        may apply by high school graduation, with exceptions
          allowed up to December 31.
14
    .     The terms "renewal, reinstatement, restoration, and
15        public service assignment" are defined and used
          consistently.
16
    .     A student will be eligible for the equivalent of a
17        4-year scholarship for enrollment in a 5-year program
          that includes some graduate school.
18
    .     A student will be eligible for the Medallion Scholarship
19        as well as the Academic Scholarship for achievement in
          the National Merit and National Hispanic Scholarship
20        programs.

21  .     The high school vocational courses required for the Gold
          Seal Scholarship are simplified.
22
    .     An obsolete statute relating to transition is repealed.
23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

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