<p>Florida Legislative Session 2007C Enacts Changes to
State Scholarship & Grant Programs
Effective January 1, 2008</p>
<p>Senate Bill 2C
State Appropriations
The overall state student financial aid budget was reduced by less than 2% for the 2007-08 academic year due to State revenue shortfalls. The effect of this reduction should only be noticed by students in two programs; the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program changes are listed below under Senate Bill 10C, and in the First Generation Matching Grant Program, some spring term awards may be reduced as determined by each institution.</p>
<p>Senate Bill 8C
Tuition and Fee Increases, effective January 1, 2008</p>
<pre><code> o Tuition increases are authorized for public universities, community colleges, and vocational/technical centers beginning January 1, 2008. Any state scholarship and grant program that calculates awards based on tuition may include such increases for student awards in terms that begin on or after January 1, 2008. Fixed award amounts for students attending private institutions will be adjusted to reflect any tuition increases.
o Beginning with the 2008-09 fiscal year and each year thereafter, tuition specified in Senate Bill 8C shall increase at the beginning of each fall semester at a rate equal to inflation, unless otherwise provided in the General Appropriations Act.
o Technology fees charged by state universities and authorized to be created beginning in the 2009-10 academic year, will not be paid by the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
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<p>Senate Bill 10C
Changes to the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, effective January 1, 2008</p>
<pre><code> o Early Admit students will no longer be eligible to apply for Bright Futures prior to their senior year in high school. Students may apply for an award beginning December 1 of the students high school graduation year.
o Early Admit students funded in the 2007-08 academic year will be disbursed Bright Futures funds after January 1, 2008, contingent upon the availability of funds. OSFA will notify all institutions of such student eligibility in December 2007 for potential Term 2 Early Admit awards.
o For any term beginning as of January 1, 2008, students will receive an educational allowance of $225, reduced from $300, prorated by hours and terms, as specified in the General Appropriations Act (Senate Bill 2C). Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program fixed award amounts for private postsecondary institutions, with this allotment reduction, will be calculated and posted to the website in December 2007.
o The Florida Legislature will annually determine the amount of the college-related expense allotment beginning with the 2008-09 academic year.
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