240.40208  Eligibility for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program; transition.--

(1)  A student who graduates from high school in 1997 or earlier and who is eligible for the Florida Undergraduate Scholar's Program pursuant to ¹s. 240.402 is eligible for the Florida Academic Scholars award as provided in this act. A student who graduates from high school in 1998 or 1999 is eligible for the Florida Academic Scholars award if the student meets the criteria in s. 240.40205. However, in lieu of satisfying the requirements set forth in s. 240.40205(1)(a) and (b), a student may meet the following criteria:

(a)  Complete a program of at least 24 credits in advanced-level studies as prescribed by the State Board of Education, including as a minimum:

1.  Four years of progressively advanced instruction in language arts, including courses in English composition and literature.

2.  Four years of progressively advanced instruction in science, including laboratory courses in biology, chemistry, and physics where laboratory facilities are available.

3.  Four years of progressively advanced instruction in mathematics, including courses in algebra, geometry, and calculus or trigonometry.

4.  Two years of sequential foreign language.

5.  One year of instruction in art and music or in either art or music.

6.  Three years of instruction in social studies, including courses in American history and government, world history, and comparative political and economic systems.

7.  One year of instruction in health and physical education to include assessment, improvement, and maintenance of personal fitness.

(b)  Obtain at least the equivalent of an unweighted grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all courses taken for which high school credit may be granted.

(c)  Achieve a score of 1180 on the combined verbal and quantitative parts of the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the Scholastic Assessment Test, or the recentered Scholastic Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination, or an equivalent score on the American College Testing Program or an equivalent program.

(d)  Complete a program of community service work, as approved by the district school board or the administrators of a nonpublic school, which shall include a minimum of 75 hours of service work and require the student to identify a social problem that interests him or her, develop a plan for his or her personal involvement in addressing the problem, and, through papers or other presentations, evaluate and reflect upon his or her experience.

Students who graduate from high school after 1999 must meet the eligibility criteria pursuant to s. 240.40205.

(2)  A student who graduates from high school in 1997 or earlier and who is eligible for the Florida Vocational Gold Seal Endorsement Scholarship award pursuant to s. 240.4021 is eligible for the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award as provided in this act. A student who graduates from high school in 1998 or 1999 is eligible for the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award if the student meets the criteria in s. 240.40207. However, in lieu of satisfying the grade point average requirement set forth in s. 240.40207(1)(c), a student may earn a minimum cumulative unweighted grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all subjects required for a standard high school diploma. Students who graduate from high school after 1999 must meet the eligibility criteria pursuant to s. 240.40207.

(3)  Effective for the 1997-1998 academic year, a student is eligible for an initial award of a Florida Merit Scholarship if the student:

(a)1.  Is scheduled to graduate from high school in 1997;

2.  Completes, or is enrolled in all courses required to complete, the high school college-preparatory coursework required in this act;

3.  Achieves an unweighted grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent, in high school courses that are adopted by the Board of Regents and recommended by the State Board of Community Colleges as college-preparatory academic courses; and

4.  Earns a score of 970 or above on the combined verbal and quantitative parts of the recentered Scholastic Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination, or an equivalent score on the American College Testing Program; or

(b)  Has completed a college-preparatory curriculum in 1997 through an approved home school program and has attained a score of 970 on the combined verbal and quantitative parts of the recentered Scholastic Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination, or an equivalent score on the American College Testing Program. Eligibility shall be determined in the same manner as for public school students. For students whose parents are unable to document a college-preparatory curriculum, a score of 1070 on the SAT, or equivalent score on the ACT, shall be required for award eligibility.

(4)  To enable this act to be implemented during 1997 and 1998, the Department of Education and eligible postsecondary education institutions may adjust time limits imposed by law and rule so as to allow students and their high schools maximum opportunity to prepare applications for initial and renewal awards for students made eligible for a scholarship under this act.

History.--s. 9, ch. 97-77; s. 5, ch. 97-379.