Comments on: Future Dimmer For Florida Bright Futures Scholarships

By: Florida student

Florida student — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:24:38 +0000

Bright Futures is the reason I stayed in-state for college. I may end up regretting the decision. There are a lot of scholarships out there that are “need-based”. I don’t understand why Bright Futures wants to go in this direction. I worked hard for my grades and SAT scores (no tutors). My family does not go on ski trips, or crazy expensive vacations. Bright Futures has been a blessing, but it seems like we will not be able to count on it anymore.
Why is it that Republicans stress that people need to “earn” their money, but they are turning this merit-based scholarship into a need-based scholarship…?

By: Mimi13

Mimi13 — Thu, 12 May 2011 17:19:05 +0000

While Bright Futures was originally conceived as a merit award, changing times may require a changing concept. There are many, many students for whom the cost of Florida college tuition is less than their family spends on an annual winter ski trip. On the other hand, there are student for whom this scholarship means the difference between attending and not attending college. In that category are some hard-working students who have irresponsible parents who do not complete the FASFA forms — sometimes because some of their income is under-the-table, sometimes because they distrust government forms, sometimes because they can’t be bothered. Bright Futures has been one financial resource for students that did not depend upon having responsible parents. Keep the award for all students who earn acclamation. Give them all a certificate or plaque or a notation on their high school diplomas. But save the cash for the students who need it.

By: WORRIED RESIDENT

WORRIED RESIDENT — Thu, 05 May 2011 15:21:28 +0000

When we voted to have a Florida lottery, it was suppose to be for education. Where is the money going to be spent, if not on Bright Futures? Will it still be spent on education? If not, shouldn’t the voters have to vote on it? Just asking!!

By: mother

mother — Wed, 04 May 2011 04:20:59 +0000

Work get nothing. Sit on your rear get ever thing free. Joe is right. What wil the loto money be spent on?

By: LB

LB — Tue, 03 May 2011 19:39:47 +0000

Awards going down, tuition going up – the American way? Our government certainly thinks so. If the awards are going down, then it stands to reason that tuition should follow – in the same direction!!! There was a time not too long ago, that students were rewarded for good grades – for one, they were exempt from taking final exams. This was an excellent reward for the hard work students put forth day after day all through the year. If they have proven themselves already, then why not give them this reward? They most definitely deserve it! But not only was this done away with, more test have been added. And FCAT! What a tremendous waste of our educational dollars. This is one way our government can save a boat-load of money and put it back into the educational system so that all of these other VERY NECESSARY jobs and programs don’t have to be cut. Who and what caliber of people do we have running our government? It is certainly not the ones who have the “hands on” experience.

By: eab

eab — Tue, 03 May 2011 19:21:36 +0000

Concerned Citizen said…”This scholarship was set up because of the lottery monies. Lottery continues to thrive, therefore, more scholarships should be awarded. I don’t hear of these cuts happening in the Georgia school system.”

I said…I lived in Georgia when they began their lottery and one of the bad examples of lottery management that kept getting referenced during the debate was Florida’s. The stae of Florida has been slowly raping the lottery funds since they started coming in. One of the promises that was made to get the Georgia lottery in was, “We won’t be like Florida”.

Sadly though, I do believe Georgia is starting to slip on their commitments as well.

I do believe that one thing we should *never* cut is education. When we do that we are truly selling out our competitiveness with the rest of the world and we are assuring our reduction to third world status. We still have the best colleges in the world but they are filling with high achievers….from other countries.

By: joe

joe — Tue, 03 May 2011 14:01:28 +0000

so families who are middle range income are in a world of hurt.
Everyone knows that just because your income on paper is one thing does not mean that is the disposable portion. The problem with the federal student aid application is it does not take into account all of your bills.
the feds do not care if you have 2 car payments, that is not a necessary bill to them, even though with out the car, most of us would not be able to go to work.
to require this paperwork is crazy, this is not what the voters of florida voted on!

By: joe

joe — Tue, 03 May 2011 13:40:19 +0000

so much for education1
Way to punish the kids.

By: always reading

always reading — Tue, 03 May 2011 13:38:26 +0000

Bright Futures should not be based on “needs”. Like others have stated, there are plenty of programs out there for “needs” basis. Plenty of people get a “free” education without paying because they can’t afford to pay for it.

Bright Futures is the REWARD for the students that make the decision to push themselves academically beginning, at a minimum, in middle school & continue to excell by keeping a B average or higher. They must volunteer & have proof. Not just skate by in classes (when/if they decide to show up) on a daily/yearly basis and have something “handed” to them based on their needs/income.

Bright Futures needs to continue to be funded by the lottery & not tampered with. There is nothing wrong with someone having to EARN something. That’s what this Bright Futures teaches. “IF you want a scholarship, you can EARN one by getting good grades & volunteering so many hours”.

That’s the problem with government, they want to GIVE away everything to those that they believe need it the most and take it from the ones that EARNED it.

By: Concerned Citizen

Concerned Citizen — Tue, 03 May 2011 12:22:06 +0000

This scholarship was set up because of the lottery monies. Lottery continues to thrive, therefore, more scholarships should be awarded. I don’t hear of these cuts happening in the Georgia school system. My niece and nephew attend school in Georgia. I agree with Doer the government keeps up enough with everyone our son didn’t have to complete a federal form. This is one more way of the government trying to choose who goes to technical schools and who gets prestige.