Florida Bright Futures Scholarships By The Numbers

fsu.edu

We’ve spent the week looking at how Bright Futures scholarships have changed over the last fifteen years.

Bottom line: More students are getting the money, but the awards aren’t going as far as they used to in covering the cost of college or university tuition.

The program establishes three lottery-funded scholarships for high academic achievers.

Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) award, including Academic Top Scholars (ATS) award
Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) award
Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV) award

In 1997-98, the first academic year of the program, 43,110 students earned Bright Futures scholarships. By 2010-11, awards were granted to 183,274 students.

Among 2010 graduates of public high schools in Florida:

7.21% were eligible for the maximum amount under the Florida Academic Scholars award.

25.2% were eligible for the maximum amount under the Florida Medallion Scholars award.

1.03% were eligible for the maximum amount under the Florida Gold Seal Vocational award.

The Florida Legislature has raised eligibility requirements for Bright Futures scholarships. Recipients are getting less money as the cost of tuition climbs.

The awards are now calculated based on a fixed cost per credit or clock hour, and the amount varies depending on the scholarship level and institution.

Recent changes in award amounts:

• Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) award – worth up to $100 per semester hour at a 4-year university in 2012-13. Award was worth up to $125 in 2010-11 and $101 in 2011-12.
• Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) award – worth up to $75 per semester hour at a 4-year university in 2012-13. Award was worth up to $94 in 2010-11and $76 in 2011-12.
• Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV) award — worth up to $75 per semester hour at a 4-year university for renewals in 2012-13. Award was worth up to $94 in 2010-11 including non renewals and $76 in 2011-12.

Total Bright Futures funds disbursed to students over the years:

1997-98 = $69,566,969

1998-99 = $93,332,570

1999-00 = $131,850,932

2000-01 = $164,769,347

2001-02 = $174,914,917

2002-03 = $202,204,806

2003-04 = $235,188,754

2004-05 = $268,944,369

2005-06 = $306,335,218

2006-07 = $347,014,439

2007-08 = $379,874,911

2008-09 = $429,012,109

2009-10 = $423,532,776

2010-11 = $423,269,545

Click here for more information about the use of Bright Futures scholarships at Florida colleges and universities.