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HB 1417

First in Your Family Florida Medical School Scholarship and Grant Program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bruce Antone

Bill would have created Florida medical school scholarships for first-generation college students to increase physician diversity and reduce financial barriers to medical education.

Died in Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
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Bill Summary · HB 1417

Legislative bill overview

HB 1417 would have established a scholarship and grant program specifically for Florida medical school students who are the first in their family to attend college. The program aimed to increase access to medical education for underrepresented populations by providing financial assistance to qualifying first-generation students pursuing medical degrees at Florida institutions.

Why is this important

First-generation college students face significant financial barriers to medical school, with average debt loads that can exceed $200,000. By targeting this population, the bill sought to diversify the physician workforce and address healthcare disparities in underserved communities, while also potentially reducing student debt that influences medical specialty choices and geographic practice locations.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding source and cost: The bill's fiscal impact and how scholarships would be funded (state budget, trust fund, or other mechanisms) were not detailed in available records, raising questions about sustainability and competing budget priorities.
  • Narrowness of eligibility criteria: Limiting scholarships only to first-generation students could exclude other economically disadvantaged medical students, creating fairness concerns about needs-based versus identity-based aid allocation.
  • Definition and verification challenges: Determining and verifying "first in family" status for medical school specifically (versus undergraduate) could present administrative complexity and potential gaming of the system.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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