A controversial bill that proposes to cut scholarships to those students who are enrolled in degree programs that don’t “lead directly to employment” is being discussed this tuesday. This bill was filed on Feb. 23 by Florida Republican Senator Dennis Baxley.
The proposal, SB 86, would require the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education to approve a list of certificate and degree programs “which lead directly to employment” by the end of this year. Students in programs not on the list would only get funding for 60 credit hours. The logic behind this is that 60 credit hours is half of a bachelor’s degree, and it would allow student to make the change into an approved major.
After receiving strong public opposition, a student-led group called Save Bright Futures created a Change.org petition, which has over 100,000 signatures.
If the bill becomes law, it would go into effect on July 1. Students already on Bright Futures would see their financial aid affected starting next school year.
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