July 24, 2002

MEMORANDUM

OSFA State: #02-03:04

TO:

Public and Private High School Guidance Counselors

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program District Contacts

Administrators at Postsecondary Institutions Participating in the

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

FROM:

Monya Newmyer, Director

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

SUBJECT:

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program 2002 Legislative Update

The 2002 Florida Legislature appropriated $218,970,000 to fund the Florida Bright Futures

Scholarship Program during the 2002-2003 academic year. Please note that:

•

 

funds were not budgeted to make awards for the 2003 summer term.

•

 

the Florida Merit Scholars award has been renamed to the

Florida Medallion Scholars

award.

The Office of Student Financial Assistance is coordinating with the Florida Center for Advising

and Academic Support (FACTS) to provide a Bright Futures evaluation for students online

through the FACTS.org website. FACTS is Florida’s official statewide advising system, which

offers K-12 and postsecondary students comprehensive information on career planning,

postsecondary admissions, academic planning, diploma/degree evaluations, financial aid and

other student services. More information will be presented at the State University Admissions

training sessions scheduled in September.

The 2002 Florida Legislature made three major changes to the Florida Bright Futures

Scholarship Testing Program (Testing Program):

1.

 

The penalty for reduction of scholarship hours was deleted

in the School Code Rewrite,

which becomes effective January 7, 2003. Please also note it is expected that the Legislature

will address Testing Program noncompliance during the next legislative session.

2.

 

2002-2003 Testing Program participants have until the end of the 2003 spring term

to

meet their attempts requirement. This change is included in general appropriations proviso

language, which is effective as of July 1, 2002. Please note that the School Code Rewrite

does not provide this extension to future Testing Program participants.

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MEMORANDUM

July 24, 2002

Page Two

 

3.

 

The Legislature created one fund to provide for payment of CLEP test administration

and examination fees

, also effective July 1, 2002. OSFA will administer the fund to

reimburse eligible test centers $15 per eligible examination administered and pay College

Board on behalf of eligible institutions $46 per eligible examination.

Eligible test centers

are defined as those state universities, community colleges and

public high schools that offer CLEP testing to all Testing Program participants. Please

note that test centers may give priority to students enrolling at their institutions.

Eligible institutions

are defined as those state universities and community colleges that

provide Testing Program participants access to academic advisement and comply with

Testing Program degree acceleration intent.

The following contacts are available to assist you with Testing Program questions:

Wanda Wannall

Florida Bright Futures Program

1-888-827-2004

Nell Kelly

Division of Colleges and Universities

850-201-7210

Heather Sherry

Division of Community Colleges

850-488-0555

Thank you for your support as we move forward with these 2002 legislative changes. Please call

me at 850-410-5173 if you have any questions.

MN:ww