On June 27, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 461, expanding eligibility requirements for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program to include paid work experience as a substitute for service hours.
This expansion will allow students who work afterschool jobs to apply their paid work contributions to their communities to substitute service hour requirements. The legislation allows students the opportunity to receive Bright Futures Scholarships when they might not otherwise have been able to meet the requirements.
“Florida students should not lose the opportunity to receive a Bright Futures Scholarship because they have to work to help their families make ends meet,” said DeSantis. “Afterschool jobs teach our students valuable life lessons, much like community service hours do. I am glad to sign this bill and will continue to make sure higher education remains affordable in Florida.”
“When our administration took office, we vowed to invest and prioritize our state’s education and continue to open the doors to success for students of all backgrounds,” said Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez. “Signing House Bill 461 is yet another testament of our administration’s continued commitment to putting students and families first. Florida is not only the free state, but it is also the education state.”
“I am so grateful for the governor’s support for HB 461,” said state Sen. Travis Hutson. “Children across Florida should have every opportunity to graduate and go to college, and this bill expands those opportunities. Some kids do not have the luxury to volunteer and instead need to provide for their families. This bill allows them to help their parents while still pursuing their dreams for a higher education.”
The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, primarily funded by the Florida Lottery, was established in 1997 to assist students with tuition costs when pursuing a postsecondary degree. During the 2021-22 school year, more than 120,000 Florida students received Bright Futures scholarships.
