You will never believe what someone is proposing for a Florida college scholarship [View all]

[Baitball Blogger]

Lawmaker proposes dramatic changes to Bright Futures scholarships

A bill filed Wednesday in the Florida House would make drastic changes to the state's popular Bright Futures scholarship program.

The measure, filed by a legislator representing Citrus and Hernando counties, would force students to pay back their scholarship money if they take jobs in other states after graduation.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Jimmie Smith, R-Lecanto, wrote that the provision is meant to encourage college graduates to remain in Florida and work. But some education leaders and students are raising concerns about a plan that would penalize students for circumstances, such as job availability, that are often beyond their control.

Florida lawmakers have been debating reforms to the state-funded, merit-based Bright Futures program. But changes in recent years have largely centered on student eligibility.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/os-florida-bright-futures-scholarship-changes-20121212,0,4687130.story