The bill amends the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program by introducing new requirements for public middle schools to administer the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to eligible minority and underrepresented students in 8th grade. Schools must notify parents about the testing and provide an option to exempt their child from participation. Additionally, students scoring 1,000 or higher on the PSAT/NMSQT will receive access to SAT or ACT preparation resources and information about the scholarship program, with continued eligibility contingent on maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Funding for these initiatives will come from lottery funds deposited into the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund.

The bill also revises eligibility criteria for the Florida Academic Scholars and Florida Medallion Scholars awards by changing the recognition program from the Hispanic Recognition Program to the College Board National Recognition Programs. It maintains the requirement for students to complete a program of volunteer service or paid work, with specific hour requirements outlined for each scholarship type. The changes aim to enhance support for minority and underrepresented students in qualifying for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 17 Filed: 1007.27, 1009.534