The proposed bill establishes the "First in Your Family Florida Medical School Scholarship and Grant Program" within the Department of Education, aimed at supporting students who are the first in their families to enroll in accredited medical schools or approved physician assistant programs. The program will provide scholarships based on specific eligibility criteria, including income limits and enrollment status, with a focus on students from in-state institutions. The Department of Education is tasked with determining scholarship amounts and establishing criteria for the program, which includes provisions for emergency funds and additional financial support for educational expenses.
Additionally, the bill authorizes the Department to award grants to public postsecondary educational institutions or nonprofit organizations to create nontraditional mentoring services or support programs for students in medical education. The maximum grant amount is set at $100,000, and the bill appropriates $10 million in recurring funds from the General Revenue Fund for the implementation of the program starting in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.