Florida Senate - 2021 CS for SB 86
By the Committee on Education; and Senator Baxley
581-02942-21 202186c1
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to student financial aid; creating s.
3 1006.75, F.S.; requiring the Board of Governors of the
4 State University System to create an online dashboard;
5 specifying minimum information to be included in the
6 dashboard; requiring the dashboard to be available by
7 a specified date; requiring each state university
8 office of admissions website to contain a link to the
9 dashboard; requiring each state university board of
10 trustees to adopt certain procedures; requiring the
11 procedures to include placing a hold on certain
12 students’ registration; specifying the requirements
13 for students to lift the hold; requiring the Board of
14 Governors to approve such procedures by a specified
15 date; amending s. 1009.25, F.S.; making technical
16 changes; amending s. 1009.40, F.S.; conforming
17 provisions to changes made by the act; revising
18 eligibility for an award under the Bright Futures
19 Scholarship Program or the Benacquisto Scholarship
20 Program; specifying funding award levels for students
21 initially funded in a certain academic year; requiring
22 postsecondary educational institutions to verify
23 funding levels before award disbursement; creating s.
24 1009.46, F.S.; specifying the duties of certain
25 postsecondary educational institutions with regard to
26 financial aid and tuition assistance programs;
27 specifying penalties for noncompliance; requiring the
28 Board of Governors, the State Board of Education, and
29 the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida
30 to each approve, by a specified date, a list of career
31 certificate and undergraduate and graduate degree
32 programs that they determine do not lead directly to
33 employment; requiring that each list include specified
34 information; requiring that the state board list
35 include programs at independent colleges and
36 universities licensed by the Commission for
37 Independent Education; requiring each entity to
38 publish the methodology used in determining whether
39 programs are included on the list; requiring that the
40 lists be updated annually, by a specified date, to be
41 effective the next academic year; amending s. 1009.50,
42 F.S.; revising the formula for calculating how Florida
43 Public Student Assistance Grant Program funds are
44 distributed; deleting a provision authorizing Florida
45 Public Student Assistance Grant Program funds to be
46 deposited in the State Student Financial Assistance
47 Trust Fund; deleting a provision requiring any balance
48 in the trust fund which was allocated to the Florida
49 Public Student Assistance Grant Program at the end of
50 the fiscal year to remain therein; amending s.
51 1009.505, F.S.; deleting a provision authorizing
52 Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student
53 Assistance Grant Program funds to be deposited in the
54 trust fund; deleting a provision requiring any balance
55 in the trust fund which was allocated to the Florida
56 Public Postsecondary Career Education Student
57 Assistance Grant Program at the end of the fiscal year
58 to remain therein; amending s. 1009.51, F.S.; revising
59 the formula for calculating how Florida Private
60 Student Assistance Grant Program funds are
61 distributed; deleting a provision authorizing Florida
62 Private Student Assistance Grant Program funds to be
63 deposited in the trust fund; deleting a provision
64 requiring any balance in the trust fund which was
65 allocated to the Florida Private Student Assistance
66 Grant Program at the end of the fiscal year to remain
67 therein; amending s. 1009.52, F.S.; revising the
68 formula for how Florida Postsecondary Student
69 Assistance Grant Program funds are distributed;
70 deleting a provision authorizing Florida Postsecondary
71 Student Assistance Grant Program funds to be deposited
72 in the trust fund; deleting a provision requiring any
73 balance in the trust fund which was allocated to the
74 Florida Postsecondary Student Assistance Grant Program
75 at the end of the fiscal year to remain therein;
76 amending s. 1009.53, F.S.; requiring the Department of
77 Education to advertise the Florida Bright Futures
78 Scholarship Program to specified persons no later than
79 a specified date of each year; deleting a provision
80 authorizing unused Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
81 Program funds to be carried forward; deleting a
82 provision authorizing certain students to receive
83 specified loans; amending s. 1009.532, F.S.;
84 requiring, beginning with a specified academic year,
85 that the maximum number of credit hours which can be
86 awarded under the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
87 Program be reduced by the number of postsecondary
88 credit hours the student has earned from certain
89 articulated acceleration mechanisms which are applied
90 toward certificate, diploma, or specified degree
91 requirements or to general education requirements;
92 amending s. 1009.534, F.S.; revising and expanding
93 eligibility requirements of the Florida Academic
94 Scholars award; providing that a Florida Academic
95 Scholar is eligible for an award equal to the amount
96 specified in the General Appropriations Act; amending
97 s. 1009.5341, F.S.; authorizing a Florida Bright
98 Futures Scholarship recipient to apply the unused
99 portion of a Florida Academic Scholars award or
100 Florida Medallion Scholars award toward graduate study
101 for a specified academic year; authorizing a Florida
102 Bright Futures Scholarship recipient to apply the
103 unused portion of a Florida Academic Scholars award or
104 Florida Medallion Scholars award toward graduate study
105 in a specified degree field, paid at the undergraduate
106 rate, beginning with a specified academic year;
107 amending s. 1009.535, F.S.; revising and expanding
108 eligibility for a Florida Medallion Scholars award;
109 providing a Florida Medallion Scholar is eligible for
110 an award equal to the amount specified in the General
111 Appropriations Act; creating s. 1009.71, F.S.;
112 establishing the Florida Bright Opportunities Grant
113 Program; requiring the program to be administered by
114 the participating institutions subject to state board
115 rules; providing the purpose of the program;
116 specifying eligibility requirements for the program;
117 prohibiting institutions from imposing additional
118 eligibility requirements on students; requiring the
119 program to cover remaining tuition and fees for
120 eligible students after the application of all other
121 federal and state financial aid, with a stipend for
122 books as specified in the General Appropriations Act;
123 requiring program awards to be allocated on a first
124 come, first-served basis; requiring returning students
125 to receive priority over new students; providing the
126 duration of the award; requiring funds to be
127 distributed to eligible institutions based on a
128 formula approved by the state board; requiring the
129 formula to take into account specified criteria;
130 requiring grants to be transmitted to institutions in
131 advance of the registration period; requiring
132 institutions to notify students of award amounts;
133 requiring institutions to determine the eligibility
134 status of each student at a specified time;
135 prohibiting institutions from being required to
136 reevaluate student eligibility after the specified
137 time; requiring institutions to report specified
138 information to the department; requiring institutions
139 to remit to the department any undisbursed advances
140 within a specified timeframe; requiring the state
141 board to adopt rules; creating s. 1009.711, F.S.;
142 establishing the Florida Endeavor Scholarship Program;
143 requiring the award to cover tuition, registration,
144 and testing fees for eligible students at a Florida
145 College System institution, a career center, or a
146 charter technical career center; providing that
147 students who earned a high school credential before
148 enrolling at the institution are not eligible for the
149 program; requiring enrollment in specified programs;
150 requiring that students meet specified statutory
151 requirements; requiring that students demonstrate
152 readiness for enrollment in a postsecondary clock hour
153 program by meeting a specified requirement,
154 demonstrating specified literacy and numeracy skills,
155 or by enrolling in an Integrated Education and
156 Training program; specifying criteria for continuing
157 eligibility and for a renewal award; prohibiting
158 institutions from imposing additional criteria to
159 determine a student’s initial eligibility; providing
160 that students are eligible to receive award amounts
161 equal to certain tuition and registration fees;
162 requiring program awards to be allocated on a first
163 come, first-served basis, with returning students
164 given priority over new students; requiring funds to
165 be distributed to eligible institutions based on a
166 formula approved by the state board; requiring that
167 the formula take into account specified criteria;
168 requiring that grants be transmitted to institutions
169 in advance of the registration period; requiring
170 institutions to notify students of award amounts;
171 requiring institutions to determine the eligibility
172 status of each student at a specified time;
173 prohibiting institutions from being required to
174 reevaluate student eligibility after the specified
175 time; requiring institutions to report specified
176 information to the department; requiring institutions
177 to remit to the department any undisbursed advances
178 within a specified timeframe; requiring the state
179 board to adopt rules; amending s. 1009.893, F.S.;
180 requiring a student who enrolls in a baccalaureate
181 degree program in specified academic years to comply
182 with certain requirements to attain a Benacquisto
183 Scholarship; providing that the amount awarded under
184 the program will be as specified in the General
185 Appropriations Act; providing an effective date.
186
187 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
188
189 Section 1. Section 1006.75, Florida Statutes, is created to
190 read:
191 1006.75 State university career planning and information.—
192 (1) To assist students and families in making better
193 informed decisions about educational options and future
194 employment opportunities, the Board of Governors of the State
195 University System shall publicly publish an online dashboard.
196 The dashboard must present data, by academic discipline, of
197 graduates of state universities, including at least the
198 following information:
199 (a) Post-graduation median salary 1, 5, and 10 years after
200 graduation;
201 (b) Median student loan debt;
202 (c) Debt-to-income ratio;
203 (d) Estimated monthly loan payment as a percentage of gross
204 monthly income; and
205 (e) The percentage of graduates who have continued their
206 education beyond the baccalaureate level.
207 (2) The online dashboard must be available by January 1,
208 2022. A link to the dashboard shall be prominently displayed on
209 each state university’s office of admissions website.
210 (3)(a) Each state university board of trustees shall adopt
211 procedures to connect undergraduate students to career planning,
212 coaching, and related programs during the first academic year of
213 the student’s enrollment. Such procedures must be approved by
214 the Board of Governors and include placing a hold on student
215 registration before the end of the first year of each student’s
216 enrollment. To lift the hold and register for classes, each
217 student shall:
218 1. Register with the university’s career center;
219 2. Complete a career readiness training module provided by
220 the career center; and
221 3. Be directed to the dashboard established in subsection
222 (1).
223 (b) The Board of Governors of the State University System
224 shall review and approve each university’s procedures by March
225 1, 2022.
226 Section 2. Paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (1) of
227 section 1009.25, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
228 1009.25 Fee exemptions.—
229 (1) The following students are exempt from the payment of
230 tuition and fees, including lab fees, at a school district that
231 provides workforce education programs, Florida College System
232 institution, or state university:
233 (c) A student who is, or was at the time he or she reached
234 18 years of age, in the custody of the Department of Children
235 and Families or who, after spending at least 6 months in the
236 custody of the department after reaching 16 years of age, was
237 placed in a guardianship by the court. Such exemption includes
238 fees associated with enrollment in applied academics for adult
239 education instruction. The exemption remains valid until the
240 student reaches 28 years of age.
241 (d) A student who is, or was at the time he or she reached
242 18 years of age, in the custody of a relative or nonrelative
243 under s. 39.5085 or s. 39.6225 or who was adopted from the
244 Department of Children and Families after May 5, 1997. Such
245 exemption includes fees associated with enrollment in applied
246 academics for adult education instruction. The exemption remains
247 valid until the student reaches 28 years of age.
248 Section 3. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
249 1009.40, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (c) is
250 added to that subsection, to read:
251 1009.40 General requirements for student eligibility for
252 state financial aid awards and tuition assistance grants.—
253 (1)(a) The general requirements for eligibility of students
254 for state financial aid awards and tuition assistance grants
255 consist of the following:
256 1. Achievement of the academic requirements of and
257 acceptance at a state university or Florida College System
258 institution; a nursing diploma school approved by the Florida
259 Board of Nursing; a Florida college or university which is
260 accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the State
261 Board of Education; a Florida institution the credits of which
262 are acceptable for transfer to state universities; a career
263 center; or a private career institution accredited by an
264 accrediting agency recognized by the State Board of Education.
265 2. Residency in this state for no less than 1 year
266 preceding the award of aid or a tuition assistance grant for a
267 program established pursuant to s. 1009.50, s. 1009.505, s.
268 1009.51, s. 1009.52, s. 1009.53, s. 1009.60, s. 1009.62, s.
269 1009.71, s. 1009.711, s. 1009.72, s. 1009.73, s. 1009.75, s.
270 1009.77, s. 1009.89, or s. 1009.891, or s. 1009.894. Residency
271 in this state must be for purposes other than to obtain an
272 education. Resident status for purposes of receiving state
273 financial aid awards shall be determined in the same manner as
274 resident status for tuition purposes pursuant to s. 1009.21.
275 3. Submission of certification attesting to the accuracy,
276 completeness, and correctness of information provided to
277 demonstrate a student’s eligibility to receive state financial
278 aid awards or tuition assistance grants. Falsification of such
279 information shall result in the denial of a pending application
280 and revocation of an award or grant currently held to the extent
281 that no further payments shall be made. Additionally, students
282 who knowingly make false statements in order to receive state
283 financial aid awards or tuition assistance grants commit a
284 misdemeanor of the second degree subject to the provisions of s.
285 837.06 and shall be required to return all state financial aid
286 awards or tuition assistance grants wrongfully obtained.
287 (c) Eligibility for funding for state merit-based
288 scholarship program awards under the Bright Futures Scholarship
289 Program and the Benacquisto Scholarship Program is contingent
290 upon a student meeting the minimum requirements specified in
291 paragraphs (a) and (b) and any additional requirements specified
292 in ss. 1009.531, 1009.532, 1009.534, 1009.535, 1009.536, and
293 1009.893, subject to the following:
294 1. Beginning with students who initially receive an award
295 in the 2023-2024 academic year:
296 a. A student enrolled in an associate in arts degree
297 program, or a student enrolled in a state university who has not
298 been admitted to an academic program, may receive an award up to
299 the maximum amount established for the scholarship program for a
300 maximum of 60 credit hours.
301 b. A student enrolled in a certificate program, technical
302 diploma program, career degree program, or major as a part of a
303 baccalaureate degree program:
304 (I) May receive an award up to the maximum amount
305 established for the program if the certificate, diploma, career
306 degree, or major is not identified on the list established
307 pursuant to s. 1009.46(2)(a).
308 (II) May receive a reduced award from the maximum
309 established for the program in the General Appropriations Act if
310 the certificate, diploma, career degree, or major is identified
311 on the list established pursuant to s. 1009.46(2)(a).
312 2. Student eligibility for a reduced award from the maximum
313 award established for the scholarship program, as determined in
314 the General Appropriations Act, applies to a program of study
315 that was identified on the list pursuant to s. 1009.46(2)(a) at
316 the time of the student’s initial enrollment, or if the student
317 changes his or her major program to a program identified on the
318 list. A student may receive a maximum award established for the
319 program if the program of study is removed from the list after
320 the student’s initial enrollment, but before the student’s
321 admission to the major.
322 3. Before disbursement of an award, each postsecondary
323 educational institution shall verify that the funding level a
324 student is provided aligns with the provisions established in
325 this paragraph.
326 Section 4. Section 1009.46, Florida Statutes, is created to
327 read:
328 1009.46 Duties relating to state financial aid and tuition
329 assistance programs.—
330 (1)(a) Each postsecondary educational institution that
331 receives state funds for state financial aid and tuition
332 assistance programs shall:
333 1. Complete and return the annual application for state aid
334 funds in the format and by the date established by the
335 Department of Education;
336 2. Maintain complete, accurate, and auditable student
337 records documenting the institution’s administration of state
338 financial aid and tuition assistance funds;
339 3. Verify eligibility of enrolled students with the
340 department each academic term;
341 4. Report each student’s program of study to the department
342 using the most recent classification of instructional programs
343 taxonomy for the certificate or degree level as developed by the
344 United States Department of Education’s National Center for
345 Education Statistics;
346 5. Disburse state financial aid and tuition assistance to
347 eligible students;
348 6. Notify students annually regarding the renewal
349 requirements for each state-funded award for which they are
350 eligible;
351 7. Complete and return to the department all reports for
352 the administration of state funds in the format and by the date
353 established by the department;
354 8. Complete and return to the department all legislatively
355 required reports in the format and by the date established by
356 the department;
357 9. Retain required records for the later of 5 years or
358 until such records are audited and any audit exceptions are
359 resolved; and
360 10. Refund to the department any undisbursed advances
361 within 60 days after the end of the regular registration period
362 each fall and spring term, within 30 days after the end of the
363 summer term, or within 60 days after the date a student’s
364 ineligibility is determined.
365 (b) These requirements do not preclude higher standards
366 specified in other sections of this part or rules of the State
367 Board of Education.
368 (c) An institution that fails to perform its duties in
369 administering state financial aid or tuition assistance programs
370 must be placed on probation by the department.
371 1. The department shall provide allocations on a
372 reimbursement basis to a participating institution that fails to
373 timely remit undisbursed funds for the previous academic year.
374 2. The department may suspend or revoke an institution’s
375 eligibility to participate in state-funded programs if the
376 institution fails to provide the required audits, fails to
377 resolve audit findings, or fails to timely provide statutorily
378 required reports by established deadlines.
379 (2)(a) By December 31, 2021, the Board of Governors, the
380 State Board of Education, and the Independent Colleges and
381 Universities of Florida shall each identify and publish a list
382 of career certificate and undergraduate and graduate degree
383 programs offered by a district career center, charter technical
384 career center, Florida College System institution, independent
385 college or university, or state university, as applicable, which
386 do not lead directly to employment.
387 (b) In determining which programs will be included on a
388 list, the Board of Governors, the State Board of Education, and
389 the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida shall
390 consider national, state, and regional industry demand for
391 certificateholders and graduates of such degree programs. For
392 each certificate and degree program listed, the Board of
393 Governors and the State Board of Education must identify
394 occupations, current job openings, estimates of job growth, and
395 employment wages. The State Board of Education list must include
396 programs at independent colleges and universities licensed by
397 the Commission for Independent Education.
398 (c) The Board of Governors, the State Board of Education,
399 and the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida must
400 publish the methodology used in determining whether programs
401 were included on a list.
402 (d) The respective lists must be updated annually, by
403 December 31, to be effective in the next academic year.
404 Section 5. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) and subsection
405 (5) of section 1009.50, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
406 1009.50 Florida Public Student Assistance Grant Program;
407 eligibility for grants.—
408 (4)(a) The funds appropriated for the Florida Public
409 Student Assistance Grant Program shall be distributed to
410 eligible institutions in accordance with a formula approved by
411 the State Board of Education. The formula must consider at least
412 the prior year’s distribution of funds and, the number of
413 eligible applicants who did not receive awards, the
414 standardization of the expected family contribution, and
415 provisions for unused funds. The formula must account for
416 changes in the number of eligible students across all student
417 assistance grant programs established pursuant to this section
418 and ss. 1009.505, 1009.51, and 1009.52.
419 (5) Funds appropriated by the Legislature for state student
420 assistance grants may be deposited in the State Student
421 Financial Assistance Trust Fund. Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and
422 pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end
423 of any fiscal year which has been allocated to the Florida
424 Public Student Assistance Grant Program shall remain therein and
425 shall be available for carrying out the purposes of this
426 section.
427 Section 6. Subsection (5) of section 1009.505, Florida
428 Statutes, is amended to read:
429 1009.505 Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education
430 Student Assistance Grant Program.—
431 (5) Funds appropriated by the Legislature for state student
432 assistance grants may be deposited in the State Student
433 Financial Assistance Trust Fund. Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and
434 pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end
435 of any fiscal year which has been allocated to the Florida
436 Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant
437 Program shall remain therein and shall be available for carrying
438 out the purposes of this section.
439 Section 7. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) and subsection
440 (5) of section 1009.51, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
441 1009.51 Florida Private Student Assistance Grant Program;
442 eligibility for grants.—
443 (4)(a) The funds appropriated for the Florida Private
444 Student Assistance Grant Program shall be distributed to
445 eligible institutions in accordance with a formula approved by
446 the State Board of Education. The formula must consider at least
447 the prior year’s distribution of funds and, the number of
448 eligible applicants who did not receive awards, the
449 standardization of the expected family contribution, and
450 provisions for unused funds. The formula must account for
451 changes in the number of eligible students across all student
452 assistance grant programs established pursuant to this section
453 and ss. 1009.50, 1009.505, and 1009.52.
454 (5) Funds appropriated by the Legislature for Florida
455 private student assistance grants may be deposited in the State
456 Student Financial Assistance Trust Fund. Notwithstanding s.
457 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust
458 fund at the end of any fiscal year which has been allocated to
459 the Florida Private Student Assistance Grant Program shall
460 remain therein and shall be available for carrying out the
461 purposes of this section and as otherwise provided by law.
462 Section 8. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) and subsection
463 (6) of section 1009.52, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
464 1009.52 Florida Postsecondary Student Assistance Grant
465 Program; eligibility for grants.—
466 (4)(a) The funds appropriated for the Florida Postsecondary
467 Student Assistance Grant Program shall be distributed to
468 eligible institutions in accordance with a formula approved by
469 the State Board of Education. The formula must consider at least
470 the prior year’s distribution of funds and, the number of
471 eligible applicants who did not receive awards, the
472 standardization of the expected family contribution, and
473 provisions for unused funds. The formula must account for
474 changes in the number of eligible students across all student
475 assistance grant programs established pursuant to this section
476 and ss. 1009.50, 1009.505, and 1009.51.
477 (6) Funds appropriated by the Legislature for Florida
478 postsecondary student assistance grants may be deposited in the
479 State Student Financial Assistance Trust Fund. Notwithstanding
480 s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust
481 fund at the end of any fiscal year which has been allocated to
482 the Florida Postsecondary Student Assistance Grant Program shall
483 remain therein and shall be available for carrying out the
484 purposes of this section and as otherwise provided by law.
485 Section 9. Subsections (3), (4), and (7) of section
486 1009.53, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
487 1009.53 Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.—
488 (3) The Department of Education shall administer the Bright
489 Futures Scholarship Program according to rules and procedures
490 established by the State Board of Education. A single
491 application must be sufficient for a student to apply for any of
492 the awards. The department shall advertise the availability of
493 the scholarship program and shall notify students, teachers,
494 parents, certified school counselors, and principals or other
495 relevant school administrators of the criteria and application
496 procedures. The department must begin this process of
497 notification no later than September January 1 of each year.
498 (4) Funding for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program must
499 be allocated from the Education Enhancement Trust Fund and must
500 be provided before allocations from that fund are calculated for
501 disbursement to other educational entities.
502 (a) If funds appropriated are not adequate to provide the
503 maximum allowable award to each eligible applicant, awards in
504 all components of the program must be prorated using the same
505 percentage reduction.
506 (b) Notwithstanding s. 216.301, if all funds allocated to
507 the Bright Futures Scholarship Program are not used in any
508 fiscal year, up to 10 percent of the total allocation may be
509 carried forward and used for awards in the following year.
510 (7) A student may receive only one type of award from the
511 Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program at any given time,
512 but may transfer from one type of award to another through the
513 renewal application process, if the student’s eligibility status
514 changes. However, a student is not eligible to transfer from a
515 Florida Medallion Scholarship, a Florida Gold Seal CAPE
516 Scholarship, or a Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship to a
517 Florida Academic Scholarship. A student who receives an award
518 from the program may also receive a federal family education
519 loan or a federal direct loan, and the value of the award must
520 be considered in the certification or calculation of the
521 student’s loan eligibility.
522 Section 10. Paragraph (c) is added to subsection (3) of
523 section 1009.532, Florida Statutes, to read:
524 1009.532 Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program;
525 student eligibility requirements for renewal awards.—
526 (3)
527 (c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), beginning with students
528 initially funded in the 2022-2023 academic year, the maximum
529 number of credit hours which can be awarded must be reduced by
530 the number of postsecondary credit hours the student has earned
531 from articulated acceleration mechanisms under s. 1007.27 which
532 are accepted by the postsecondary educational institution toward
533 the requirements of a career certificate, an applied technology
534 diploma, an associate in applied science degree, or an associate
535 in science degree or in partial fulfillment of general education
536 coursework requirements of an associate or baccalaureate degree.
537 Section 11. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 1009.534,
538 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
539 1009.534 Florida Academic Scholars award.—
540 (1) A student is eligible for a Florida Academic Scholars
541 award if he or she meets the general eligibility requirements
542 for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and:
543 (a) Has achieved a 3.5 weighted grade point average as
544 calculated pursuant to s. 1009.531, or its equivalent, in high
545 school courses that are designated by the State Board of
546 Education as college-preparatory academic courses and has
547 attained at least the score required under s. 1009.531(6)(a) on
548 the combined verbal and quantitative parts of the Scholastic
549 Aptitude Test, the Scholastic Assessment Test, or the recentered
550 Scholastic Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination,
551 or an equivalent score on the ACT Assessment Program;
552 (b) Has attended a home education program according to s.
553 1002.41 during grades 11 and 12, has completed the International
554 Baccalaureate curriculum but failed to earn the International
555 Baccalaureate Diploma, or has completed the Advanced
556 International Certificate of Education curriculum but failed to
557 earn the Advanced International Certificate of Education
558 Diploma, and has attained at least the score required under s.
559 1009.531(6)(a) on the combined verbal and quantitative parts of
560 the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the Scholastic Assessment Test, or
561 the recentered Scholastic Assessment Test of the College
562 Entrance Examination, or an equivalent score on the ACT
563 Assessment Program;
564 (c) Has been awarded an International Baccalaureate Diploma
565 from the International Baccalaureate Office or an Advanced
566 International Certificate of Education Diploma from the
567 University of Cambridge International Examinations Office;
568 (d) Has been recognized by the merit or achievement
569 programs of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as a
570 scholar or finalist; or
571 (e) Has been granted academic honors by one or more of the
572 College Board National Recognition Programs for students from
573 underrepresented communities; or recognized by the National
574 Hispanic Recognition Program as a scholar recipient
575 (f) For a high school student who graduated in the 2021
576 2022 academic year and thereafter:
577 1. Has earned an associate degree with a minimum
578 postsecondary cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0
579 scale before graduating from high school; or
580 2. Has earned a College Board Advanced Placement Capstone
581 Diploma with scores of 4 or higher on six Advanced Placement
582 examinations.
583
584 The student must complete a program of volunteer service work,
585 as approved by the district school board, the administrators of
586 a nonpublic school, or the Department of Education for home
587 education program students, which must include a minimum of 75
588 hours of service work for high school students graduating in the
589 2010-2011 academic year and 100 hours of service work for high
590 school students graduating in the 2011-2012 academic year and
591 thereafter. The student must identify a social or civic issue or
592 a professional area that interests him or her, develop a plan
593 for his or her personal involvement in addressing the issue or
594 learning about the area, and, through papers or other
595 presentations, evaluate and reflect upon his or her experience.
596 Except for credit earned through service-learning courses
597 adopted pursuant to s. 1003.497, the student may not receive
598 remuneration or academic credit for the volunteer service work
599 performed. Such work may include, but is not limited to, a
600 business or governmental internship, work for a nonprofit
601 community service organization, or activities on behalf of a
602 candidate for public office. The hours of volunteer service must
603 be documented in writing, and the document must be signed by the
604 student, the student’s parent or guardian, and a representative
605 of the organization for which the student performed the
606 volunteer service work.
607 (2) A Florida Academic Scholar who is enrolled in a
608 certificate, diploma, associate, or baccalaureate degree program
609 at a public or nonpublic postsecondary educational education
610 institution is eligible for an award equal to the amount
611 specified necessary to pay 100 percent of tuition and fees
612 established under ss. 1009.22(3), (5), (6), and (7); 1009.23(3),
613 (4), (7), (8), (10), and (11); and 1009.24(4), (7)-(13),
614 (14)(r), and (16), as applicable, and is eligible for an
615 additional stipend for textbooks, to assist with the payment of
616 educational expenses as funds are specifically appropriated in
617 the General Appropriations Act to assist with the payment of
618 educational expenses.
619 Section 12. Section 1009.5341, Florida Statutes, is amended
620 to read:
621 1009.5341 Florida Bright Futures Scholarship awards for
622 graduate study.—
623 (1) For the 2021-2022 academic year, Florida Bright Futures
624 Scholarship recipients who graduate in the 2010-2011 academic
625 year and thereafter with a baccalaureate degree in 7 semesters,
626 or the equivalent or fewer hours, and wish to pursue graduate
627 study may apply the unused portion of their Florida Academic
628 Scholars award or Florida Medallion Scholars award toward 1
629 semester of graduate study, not to exceed 15 semester hours paid
630 at the undergraduate rate. A baccalaureate degree may include,
631 but is not limited to, college credits earned through
632 articulated acceleration mechanisms pursuant to s. 1007.27.
633 (2) Beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, a Florida
634 Bright Futures Scholarship recipient may apply the unused
635 portion of his or her Florida Academic Scholars award or Florida
636 Medallion Scholars award toward graduate study in a degree field
637 that is not identified on a list developed pursuant to s.
638 1009.46(2)(a), which must be paid at the undergraduate rate.
639 Section 13. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 1009.535,
640 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
641 1009.535 Florida Medallion Scholars award.—
642 (1) A student is eligible for a Florida Medallion Scholars
643 award if he or she meets the general eligibility requirements
644 for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and:
645 (a) Has achieved a weighted grade point average of 3.0 as
646 calculated pursuant to s. 1009.531, or the equivalent, in high
647 school courses that are designated by the State Board of
648 Education as college-preparatory academic courses and has
649 attained at least the score required under s. 1009.531(6)(b) on
650 the combined verbal and quantitative parts of the Scholastic
651 Aptitude Test, the Scholastic Assessment Test, or the recentered
652 Scholastic Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination,
653 or an equivalent score on the ACT Assessment Program;
654 (b) Has completed the International Baccalaureate
655 curriculum but failed to earn the International Baccalaureate
656 Diploma or has completed the Advanced International Certificate
657 of Education curriculum but failed to earn the Advanced
658 International Certificate of Education Diploma, and has attained
659 at least the score required under s. 1009.531(6)(b) on the
660 combined verbal and quantitative parts of the Scholastic
661 Aptitude Test, the Scholastic Assessment Test, or the recentered
662 Scholastic Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination,
663 or an equivalent score on the ACT Assessment Program;
664 (c) Has attended a home education program according to s.
665 1002.41 during grades 11 and 12 and has attained at least the
666 score required under s. 1009.531(6)(b) on the combined verbal
667 and quantitative parts of the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the
668 Scholastic Assessment Test, or the recentered Scholastic
669 Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination, or an
670 equivalent score on the ACT Assessment Program;
671 (d) Has been recognized by the merit or achievement program
672 of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as a scholar or
673 finalist but has not completed the program of volunteer service
674 work required under s. 1009.534; or
675 (e) Has been granted academic honors by one or more of the
676 College Board National Recognition Programs for students from
677 underrepresented communities recognized by the National Hispanic
678 Recognition Program as a scholar, but has not completed the
679 program of volunteer service work required under s. 1009.534; or
680 (f) For a high school student who graduates in the 2021
681 2022 academic year and thereafter:
682 1. Has earned an associate degree with a minimum cumulative
683 postsecondary grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale before
684 graduating from high school; or
685 2. Has earned an Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma with
686 scores of 3 or higher on six Advanced Placement Examinations.
687
688 A high school student graduating in the 2011-2012 academic year
689 and thereafter must complete at least 75 hours of volunteer
690 service work approved by the district school board, the
691 administrators of a nonpublic school, or the Department of
692 Education for home education program students. The student must
693 identify a social or civic issue or a professional area that
694 interests him or her, develop a plan for his or her personal
695 involvement in addressing the issue or learning about the area,
696 and, through papers or other presentations, evaluate and reflect
697 upon his or her experience. Except for credit earned through
698 service-learning courses adopted pursuant to s. 1003.497, the
699 student may not receive remuneration or academic credit for
700 volunteer service work performed. Such work may include, but is
701 not limited to, a business or governmental internship, work for
702 a nonprofit community service organization, or activities on
703 behalf of a candidate for public office. The hours of volunteer
704 service must be documented in writing, and the document must be
705 signed by the student, the student’s parent or guardian, and a
706 representative of the organization for which the student
707 performed the volunteer service work.
708 (2) A Florida Medallion Scholar who is enrolled in a
709 certificate, diploma, associate, or baccalaureate degree program
710 at a public or nonpublic postsecondary educational education
711 institution is eligible, beginning in the fall 2018 semester,
712 for an award equal to the amount specified in the General
713 Appropriations Act necessary to pay 75 percent of tuition and
714 fees established under ss. 1009.22(3), (5), (6), and (7);
715 1009.23(3), (4), (7), (8), (10), and (11); and 1009.24(4), (7)
716 (13), (14)(r), and (16), as applicable, to assist with the
717 payment of educational expenses. Beginning in the fall 2021
718 semester, a Florida Medallion Scholar who is enrolled in an
719 associate degree program at a Florida College System institution
720 is eligible for an award equal to the amount specified in the
721 General Appropriations Act necessary to pay 100 percent of
722 tuition and fees established under s. 1009.23(3), (4), (7), (8),
723 (10), and (11) to assist with the payment of educational
724 expenses.
725 Section 14. Section 1009.71, Florida Statutes, is created
726 to read:
727 1009.71 Florida Bright Opportunities Grant Program.—
728 (1) ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSE.—The Florida Bright
729 Opportunities Grant Program is established and shall be
730 administered by the participating institutions in accordance
731 with rules of the State Board of Education. The program shall
732 provide an award equal to the amount necessary to cover tuition
733 and registration fees, after applying all other federal and
734 state financial aid, for eligible students at a Florida College
735 System institution, a career center operated by a district
736 school board under s. 1001.44, or a charter technical career
737 center under s. 1002.34.
738 (2) ELIGIBILITY.—In order to be eligible for the program, a
739 student must have a tuition and registration fee balance not
740 covered by all federal financial and state financial aid, and:
741 (a) Be enrolled as a student seeking a degree or career
742 certificate in an associate degree, technical certificate,
743 applied technology diploma, or clock hour certificate program at
744 a Florida College System institution, or a clock hour career
745 certificate or diploma program at a district career center or
746 charter technical career center. The students must be enrolled
747 for at least 6 semester hours or the equivalent per term at a
748 Florida College System institution, district career center, or
749 charter technical career center;
750 (b) Meet the requirements under s. 1009.40(1)(a)2. and 3.
751 and (c); and
752 (c) Qualify and remain eligible each academic year for the
753 Pell Grant.
754
755 An institution may not impose additional criteria to determine a
756 student’s eligibility to receive a grant under this section.
757 (3) GRANT AWARD.—The program shall:
758 (a) Cover remaining tuition and registration fees, with a
759 stipend for books as specified in the General Appropriations
760 Act, for eligible students after all other federal and state
761 financial aid is applied to tuition and fees.
762 (b) Be allocated, subject to the availability of funding,
763 on a first-come, first-served basis. The award may not exceed
764 the cost of tuition and fees at that institution, plus a stipend
765 for books as determined in the General Appropriations Act.
766 Returning students shall receive priority over new students.
767 (4) AWARD DURATION.—A student is eligible to receive an
768 award for the number of semesters or quarters specified in s.
769 1009.40(3).
770 (5) DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.—
771 (a) The funds appropriated for the program must be
772 distributed to eligible institutions in accordance with a
773 formula approved by the State Board of Education. The formula
774 must take into account at least the prior year’s distribution of
775 funds and the number of eligible applicants who did not receive
776 awards.
777 (b) Subject to appropriation by the Legislature, payment of
778 grants must be transmitted to the institution in advance of the
779 registration period. Institutions shall notify students of the
780 amount of their awards.
781 (c) The eligibility status of each student to receive a
782 disbursement must be determined by each institution as of the
783 end of its regular registration period, inclusive of a drop-add
784 period. Institutions may not be required to reevaluate a
785 student’s eligibility status after this date for purposes of
786 changing eligibility determinations previously made.
787 (d) Each participating institution shall report to the
788 department by the established date the number of students
789 eligible for the program for each academic term. Each
790 institution also shall report to the department any necessary
791 demographic and eligibility data for such students.
792 (e) Institutions shall certify to the department within 30
793 days after the end of regular registration each term the amount
794 of funds disbursed to each student. Institutions shall remit to
795 the department any undisbursed advances for the fall, spring,
796 and summer terms within 30 days after the end of the summer
797 term.
798 (6) RULES.—The State Board of Education shall adopt rules
799 to implement this section.
800 Section 15. Section 1009.711, Florida Statutes, is created
801 to read:
802 1009.711 Florida Endeavor Scholarship Program.—
803 (1) ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSE.—The Florida Endeavor
804 Scholarship Program is established and shall be administered by
805 participating institutions in accordance with rules of the State
806 Board of Education. The program shall provide an award equal to
807 the amount necessary to cover tuition, registration, and testing
808 fees, including high school equivalency diploma test fees, for
809 eligible students at a Florida College System institution, a
810 career center operated by a district school board under s.
811 1001.44, or a charter technical career center under s. 1002.34.
812 (2) ELIGIBILITY.—In order to be eligible for the program, a
813 student may not have earned a high school credential before
814 enrolling at the institution, and must:
815 (a) Be enrolled in a career certificate or noncollege
816 credit applied technology diploma program or in a General
817 Education Program at a Florida College System institution, a
818 district career center, or a charter technical career center;
819 (b) Meet the requirements under s. 1009.40(1)(a)2. and 3.
820 and (c);
821 (c) Demonstrate readiness for enrollment in a postsecondary
822 clock hour program. The student shall:
823 1. Meet the basic skills assessment requirement for the
824 certificate or diploma program;
825 2. Demonstrate grade 9 level or above literacy and numeracy
826 skills on an assessment approved by the State Board of Education
827 for basic skills; or
828 3. Enroll for at least one term in a school district or
829 Florida College System institution Integrated Education and
830 Training program.
831 (d) To maintain eligibility after the initial term of
832 enrollment, a student must demonstrate progress toward the
833 completion of a clock hour certificate or diploma program
834 through attendance and successful completion of program
835 standards. A student who does not maintain attendance and
836 progress toward completion of courses in the program is not
837 eligible for a renewal award.
838
839 An institution may not impose additional criteria to determine a
840 student’s initial eligibility to receive a grant under this
841 section.
842 (3) SCHOLARSHIP AWARD.—A student is eligible to receive an
843 award equal to the amount to cover tuition and registration fees
844 for a career certificate or applied technology diploma program
845 for the number of semesters or quarters specified in s.
846 1009.40(3). The award may not exceed the cost of tuition and
847 registration fees at that institution. The institution shall
848 award scholarships subject to the availability of funding, on a
849 first-come, first-served basis. Returning students must be given
850 priority over new students.
851 (4) DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.—
852 (a) The funds appropriated for the program must be
853 distributed to eligible institutions in accordance with a
854 formula approved by the State Board of Education. The formula
855 must take into account at least the prior year’s distribution of
856 funds and the number of eligible applicants who did not receive
857 awards.
858 (b) Subject to the appropriation of funds by the
859 Legislature, the department shall transmit payment of grants to
860 the institution in advance of the registration period.
861 Institutions shall notify students of the amount of their
862 awards.
863 (c) The eligibility status of each student to receive a
864 disbursement must be determined by each institution as of the
865 end of its regular registration period, inclusive of a drop-add
866 period. Institutions may not be required to reevaluate a
867 student’s eligibility status after this date for purposes of
868 changing eligibility determinations previously made.
869 (d) Each participating institution shall report to the
870 department by the established date the number of students
871 eligible for the program for each academic term. Each
872 institution also shall report to the department any necessary
873 demographic and eligibility data for such students.
874 (e) Institutions shall certify to the department within 30
875 days after the end of regular registration each term the amount
876 of funds disbursed to each student. Institutions shall remit to
877 the department any undisbursed advances for the fall, spring,
878 and summer terms within 30 days after the end of the summer
879 term.
880 (5) RULES.—The State Board of Education shall adopt rules
881 to implement this section.
882 Section 16. Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) and subsection
883 (5) of section 1009.893, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
884 1009.893 Benacquisto Scholarship Program.—
885 (4) In order to be eligible for an initial award under the
886 scholarship program, a student must meet the requirements of
887 paragraph (a) or paragraph (b).
888 (b) A student who initially enrolls in a baccalaureate
889 degree program in the 2018-2019 through 2021-2022 academic years
890 year or later and who is not a resident of this state, as
891 determined in s. 1009.40 and rules of the State Board of
892 Education, must:
893 1. Physically reside in this state on or near the campus of
894 the postsecondary educational institution in which the student
895 is enrolled;
896 2. Earn a high school diploma from a school outside Florida
897 which is comparable to a standard Florida high school diploma or
898 its equivalent pursuant to s. 1002.3105, s. 1003.4281, s.
899 1003.4282, or s. 1003.435 or must complete a home education
900 program in another state; and
901 3. Be accepted by and enrolled full-time in a baccalaureate
902 degree program at an eligible regionally accredited Florida
903 public or independent postsecondary educational institution
904 during the fall academic term following high school graduation.
905 (5)(a)1. An eligible student who meets the requirements of
906 paragraph (4)(a), who is a National Merit Scholar, and who
907 attends a Florida public postsecondary educational institution
908 shall receive a scholarship award as specified in the General
909 Appropriations Act equal to the institutional cost of attendance
910 minus the sum of the student’s Florida Bright Futures
911 Scholarship and National Merit Scholarship.
912 2. An eligible student who meets the requirements of
913 paragraph (4)(b), who is a National Merit Scholar, and who
914 attends a Florida public postsecondary educational institution
915 shall receive a scholarship award as specified in the General
916 Appropriations Act equal to the institutional cost of attendance
917 for a resident of this state minus the student’s National Merit
918 Scholarship. Such student is exempt from the payment of out-of
919 state fees.
920 (b) An eligible student who is a National Merit Scholar and
921 who attends a Florida independent postsecondary educational
922 institution shall receive a scholarship award as specified in
923 the General Appropriations Act equal to the highest cost of
924 attendance for a resident of this state enrolled at a Florida
925 public university, as reported by the Board of Governors of the
926 State University System, minus the sum of the student’s Florida
927 Bright Futures Scholarship and National Merit Scholarship.
928 Section 17. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.