Bill Dropped To Tie Bright Futures To Living, Working In Florida

December 19, 2012

A proposal to require Bright Futures scholarship recipients to return the money if they drop out or move to another state is being mothballed, its sponsor said in a statement Tuesday.

Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Inverness, filed the proposal (HB 35) last week.

The bill was “intended to make sure that Bright Futures has the longevity it needs to benefit the most students possible,” Smith said in a statement. “However, after thoughtful discussion with constituents, I feel this goal could be better achieved by different means and look forward to working diligently to find answers to the issues that need to be addressed concerning Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship Program.”

The popular scholarship program has seen its costs rise rapidly with more students using the assistance. Lawmakers have made changes in recent years to tighten academic requirements for the Bright Futures program.

By The News Service of Florida

Comments

4 Responses to “Bill Dropped To Tie Bright Futures To Living, Working In Florida”

  1. David Huie Green on December 19th, 2012 9:38 pm

    REGARDING:
    “Quit referring to Bright Futures as “assistance”.”

    Don’t quit calling it assistance. It assists people in getting an education and that’s a good thing.

    Too many see abuses in assistance so they assume it is itself bad rather than how it is done. Helping others is a good thing. Hurting some to help others is not a good thing but this is funded by people throwing their money away for a dream. It is good that it helps other work toward their dreams.

    David for truth in advertising

  2. tw on December 19th, 2012 3:50 pm

    Very good.

  3. Lars on December 19th, 2012 2:30 pm

    Quit referring to Bright Futures as “assistance”. It is not a free government handout given to the needy. It is a scholarship sponsored by the state. The kids who receive the scholarship EARN IT!

  4. Abe on December 19th, 2012 7:12 am

    Good.