‘Bright’ students receive full tuition at community colleges

Home Archived News ‘Bright’ students receive full tuition at community colleges

Published: August 23, 2006

Medallion scholars attending community colleges now get 100 percent of their tuition and fees paid thanks to the Florida legislature. The House bill was signed by Gov. Jeb Bush in May and takes effect for this fall semester.

The scholarship is one of several awards that make up the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, created in 1997 to recognize academic achievements of high school students. Previously, the scholarship paid 75 percent tuition.

“This is a big deal for students to be able to get more money for college,” said Michelle Horton, recruitment specialist at PJC.

About 900 Florida Medallions scholars attended PJC in 2004-2005, receiving almost $900,000, according to the Florida Department of Education.

“We’re trying to get the word out so the students of this area can reap the benefits of the Bright Futures scholarship,” Horton said.