HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: HB 895 The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
SPONSOR(S): Arrington and others
TIED BILLS: None. IDEN./SIM. BILLS: SB 1484
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Education Quality Subcommittee 17 Y, 0 N Collins Sanchez
2) PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee 15 Y, 0 N Bailey Potvin
3) Education & Employment Committee
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship Program is a lottery-funded program which rewards Florida high school
graduates who merit recognition for high academic achievement and encourages them to continue their
postsecondary education at an eligible Florida institution. Current law requires the Department of Education to
advise of the availability of the Bright Futures Scholarship Program and notify students, teachers, parents,
certified school counselors, and principals or other relevant school administration of the criteria and application
procedures.
Current law requires Florida high school counselors to advise students regarding their abilities and aptitudes,
educational and occupational opportunities, and personal and social adjustments; provide placement services;
and similar functions.
The bill requires each public high school to establish a Bright Futures Scholarship mentorship program. The
mentorship program must provide students with access to a certified school counselor and information
regarding the Bright Futures Scholarship program.
This bill does not have a fiscal impact.
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2024.
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
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DATE: 2/6/2024
 FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Present Situation
Florida School Counselors
Florida high school counselors are responsible for: (1) advising students with regard to their abilities
and aptitudes, educational and occupational opportunities, and personal and social adjustments; (2)
providing placement services; and (3) similar functions.1 There are seven standards set out for School
Guidance Counselors in Rule 6A-5.079, F.A.C. These standards establish Florida’s expectations for
school counselors and establish the foundation for school counseling preparation programs, educator
certification requirements, professional learning for school counselors, and school counselor evaluation
systems.2
One responsibility of school counselors is to help students with career development and postsecondary
planning.3 School counselors are to promote awareness of application and admission processes for
various postsecondary options, including financial resources. 4 All students are to receive assistance
with developing a path to prepare for postsecondary educational and employment opportunities. 5
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship Program is a lottery-funded program which rewards Florida high
school graduates who merit recognition for high academic achievement and encourages them to
continue their postsecondary education at an eligible Florida institution. 6 Eligible participating
institutions include Florida College System institutions, state universities, career centers, and eligible
private postsecondary institutions.
The Bright Futures Scholarship Program consists of four types of awards the: (1) Florida Academic
Scholars Award, (2) Florida Medallion Scholars Award, (3) Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars Award
and (4) Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award.7 To be considered for an award under the Bright
Futures Scholarship program, a student must be accepted by and enrolled in an eligible Florida public
or independent postsecondary education institution for at least 6 credit hours per semester or the
equivalent in quarter hours or clock hours.8 A student who receives a Bright Futures Scholarship will
receive an award for a maximum of 100 percent of the number of credit hours required to complete the
program.9
The Department of Education must advertise of the availability of the Bright Futures Scholarship
Program and notify students, teachers, parents, certified school counselors, and principals or other
relevant school administration of the criteria and application procedures. 10 Additionally, each school
district shall annually provide to each high school student in grade 11 or 12 a complete and accurate
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Evaluation Report and Key. 11
Effect of the Bill
1 Section 1012.01(2)(b), F.S.
2 Rule 6A-5.079(1), F.A.C.
3 Rule 6A-5.079(3)(g), F.A.C.
4 Id.
5 Rule 6A-5.079(3)(f), F.A.C.
6 Section 1009.53(1), F. S
7 Section 1009.53(2), F. S.
8 Section 1009.531(1)(c)(d), F.S
9 Sections 1009.532(3)(a) and 1009.536(4), F.S.
10 Section 1003.53(3), F.S.
11 Section 1009.531(4), F.S.
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 The bill requires each public high school to establish a Bright Futures Scholarship mentorship program.
The mentorship program must provide students with access to a certified school counselor. The school
counselor must provide students with information concerning the eligibility requirements for each Bright
Futures Scholarship award and what scholarship the student is eligible to receive .
The bill requires the school to create an outreach campaign through the use of social media and the
school’s website to provide information regarding the Bright Futures Scholarship for parents and
students. The mentorship program may connect current students with mentors who have previously
received the award.
B. SECTION DIRECTORY:
Section 1: Amends s. 1009.53, F.S.; requiring public high schools to establish a Bright
Futures Scholarship mentorship program for students; providing requirements for
such program.
Section 2: Provides an effective date.
II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR:
None.
D. FISCAL COMMENTS:
None.
III. COMMENTS
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES:
1. Applicability of Municipality/County Mandates Provision:
None.
2. Other:
None.
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 B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY:
None.
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS:
None.
IV. AMENDMENTS/COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES
None.
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