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SB 338

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kristen Arrington

Florida bill proposing Bright Futures Scholarship Program changes died in committee after indefinite postponement, leaving college financial aid modifications unresolved.

Died in Education Pre-K - 12
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Bill Summary · SB 338

Legislative bill overview

SB 338 proposed modifications to Florida's Bright Futures Scholarship Program, a state-funded merit-based scholarship initiative that helps Florida students pay for college tuition and fees. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but died in committee without advancing to a floor vote, after being indefinitely postponed in May 2025.

Why is this important

The Bright Futures program is one of Florida's largest education investments, serving tens of thousands of students annually and significantly influencing college access and affordability for in-state students. Changes to eligibility requirements, award amounts, or funding mechanisms could affect student access to higher education and state budget priorities.

Potential points of contention

  • Program funding scope: Without bill text details, potential modifications could involve reducing award amounts, changing eligibility criteria (GPA/test scores), or altering which institutions qualify—each affecting different student populations differently
  • Merit vs. need-based tension: Bright Futures is merit-based; proposals might have involved shifting toward need-based aid, creating philosophical disagreements about scholarship purpose
  • State budget implications: Expanding or modifying the program requires appropriations consideration, which may have conflicted with other legislative priorities during the 2025 session

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

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