Education for All

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program was first established and funded by the state legislature in 1989 to provide free money for college tuition to gifted in-state students. These days, the program is available for all high school students in the state who achieve specific grades and standardized test scores before graduation. In 1997 the name “Florida Bright Futures” was selected for the scholarship and the “Undergraduate Scholars’ Fund” became known as the Academic Scholars Award.

The scholarship will pay for 75% or 100% of public college tuition cost in Florida. The amount of the award is variable based on the individual’s academic criteria. The student’s course of study in high school also affects the type of awards. To see the specific awards and eligibility requirements, see this fact sheet about Florida Bright Futures.

While Florida faces budget decreases for education,state representatives have assured the voters and news outlets that Bright Futures will be safe for at least another year of Florida high school graduates. If Florida high school graduates do well academically and adhead to the course guidelines of the program, they will receive the scholarship every year of college until the law changes. (more…)