| 1 | A bill to be entitled |
| 2 | An act relating to scholarships for military personnel; |
| 3 | amending s. 1009.534, F.S.; providing eligibility |
| 4 | requirements for a member of Florida's military who served |
| 5 | in the War in Afghanistan or the War in Iraq to receive a |
| 6 | Florida Academic Scholars award; providing an effective |
| 7 | date. |
| 8 |
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| 9 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
| 10 |
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| 11 | Section 1. Subsection (5) is added to section 1009.534, |
| 12 | Florida Statutes, to read: |
| 13 | 1009.534 Florida Academic Scholars award.-- |
| 14 | (5) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 1009.531 and this |
| 15 | section, a member of Florida's military who has served in the |
| 16 | War in Afghanistan or the War in Iraq is eligible for a Florida |
| 17 | Academic Scholars award if he or she meets the following |
| 18 | requirements: |
| 19 | (a) Has lived in the state for 2 years prior to serving in |
| 20 | Afghanistan or Iraq. |
| 21 | (b) Has received a high school diploma or its equivalent |
| 22 | provided that this requirement is not restricted to a high |
| 23 | school diploma or its equivalent awarded in Florida. |
| 24 | (c) Has not received a dishonorable discharge from the |
| 25 | military. |
| 26 |
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| 27 | For purposes of determining initial eligibility for a Florida |
| 28 | Academic Scholars award, there is no grade point average |
| 29 | requirement. However, to be eligible for a renewal award as a |
| 30 | Florida Academic Scholar, a student must maintain the grade |
| 31 | point average specified in subsection (3). |
| 32 | Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2005. |