Florida will again consider college financial aid boost

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Republicans in the Florida Senate are moving ahead again with an ambitious proposal to boost financial aid for college students.

Sen. Bill Galvano filed a bill (SB 4) Wednesday that would require the state to permanently cover 100 or 75 percent of all tuition costs for top high school students who attend a Florida university or college. If it became law it would help about 94,000 students.

Legislators scaled back the amount paid by Bright Futures scholarships during the height of the Great Recession. Senate President Joe Negron has promised to restore funding.

The Florida Legislature passed a similar bill earlier this year but Gov. Rick Scott vetoed it. Some Bright Futures recipients are getting 100 percent of their tuition paid this school year but the increase is good for just one year.