Bright Futures: Drop A Class Late, Pay Up

TAMPA, FL -- State legislators may have found a way to save taxpayers $30 million out of the state's Bright Future's Scholarship program. A bill on the House floor (HB 719) would require Bright Future students to pay back the state for classes they drop after a school's drop/add deadline.

The bill's sponsor, Republican State Representative Kelli Stargel out of Lakeland, says it's money the state can't afford to lose. She has this message for students, "Be responsible with the money that's given to you."

USF students Joyce Yong and Dan Mguyen earned a Bright Futures Scholarship. It covers 100 percent of their tuition for four high school years of good grades and community service.

"It's a big help and comfort to my parents especially," says Joyce, a second year student majoring in Biomedical Science. "I'm taken care of; I can finish my undergraduate degree and move on to my professional degree."

"I don't have to worry if I can go to school tomorrow, if I have the money to do so," says Dan, a third year student and also a biomedical science major.

If earning Bright Futures scholarship is hard to do, keeping one is even harder. If a student drops below the required grade point average, the state pulls the scholarship. By withdrawing from a tough class, they protect their GPA at taxpayer's expense.

State officials estimate paying $30 million a year for classes dropped after the deadline; that's nearly 300,000 credit hours: about 222,000 credit hours at the university level and 76,000 credit hours at the community colleges.

"If it's because it's an inconvenience or they don't like the class, I think they should pay for it," says Dan.

Many state legislators agree. Paying back classes dropped after the drop/add deadline is already required by many financial aid and scholarship programs.

"I think if it helps the state fund other needs, universities and areas of education like public education things that are needed especially with the economic climate," says Joyce. "I think it would be a wise move students would be forced to be more responsible that's a good thing."

Last year, 2,596 USF students received the Bright Futures 100% tuition scholarship and 12,766 received the 75% tuition scholarship. The 15,362 students on Bright Futures equal nearly half of the school's 35,120 undergraduates.

Breanne Hager has 75% of her tuition covered under Bright Futures. She must maintain a 2.75 GPA and take a minimum of 12 credit hours each academic year to keep her scholarship.

"I have mixed feelings. I think it's a good idea because the state is losing a lot of money but at the same time a lot of students on the scholarship can't afford it."

The third year student says she's never dropped a class. She suggests withdrawing from a class should be a last resort.

"I know a lot of students gets stressed and drop it. Before it gets worse go talk to the teacher and see if there's anything else they can do to boost their grade."

The bill also toughens the requirements for students to keep renewing their scholarship each year. The number of credit hours a student must complete in an academic year would double from 12 to 24.

The state expects this will save another $20 million, because many students will not be able to meet the new standards.

©2009 WTSP. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, or redistributed.