Dive Summary:
- A study by the University of South Florida shows that new rules in the state may cut Bright Futures scholarship eligibility for numerous students.
- Around 90% of Orange County students enrolling at one of the state's public universities in 2011-12 had high enough entrance exam scores for the most popular Bright Futures scholarship, the Florida Medallion, but the state Legislature's toughening of criteria in 2011 (which takes effect fall of 2014) would require higher ACT and SAT scores to qualify for the award.
- The study reports that under the new rules, only half of U. of Central Florida's incoming students would be eligible, while two-thirds of those at Florida State, three-quarters at University of Florida and almost zero incoming students at Florida A&M would still receive the award.
From the article:
... "It's a huge jump," said Michele Erickson, the principal at Orlando's Edgewater High School, which has been working to alert parents of the increased requirements. "I'm definitely concerned that not as many students will have the benefit of such a great opportunity." ...