TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday proposed spending $23.5 million to expand Bright Futures scholarships, but did not address recent criticism of the program — namely, that new eligibility standards put in place to control costs have kept thousands of low-income and minority students from receiving the awards.
Scott’s plan would direct new money to help students with Bright Futures scholarships pay for summer courses.
“By expanding Bright Futures scholarships to include summer courses, we are offering more flexibility for students to achieve their goals,” said Scott, who held a press conference at the University of North Florida to announce his plans.
Board of Governors Chairman Morteza Hosseini said the proposal would help students finish their degrees faster, “reducing their debt and quickening their entry into the state workforce.”
But state Rep. José Javier Rodríguez, D-Miami, called it “odd.”
“I haven’t heard any constituents complaining about not having access to summer school,” Rodríguez said.
