For most of its dozen years of existence, Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarships have been in the cross hairs of controversy. The ongoing, core question: Because it is not need-based, does it give too much help to the affluent? But, frankly, is that a valid enough concern when the prime objective of the program is to entice the brightest students to stay home and go to college in Florida?
Now the subplots are thickened by all-too-familiar, budget concerns. What was a $70-million program at inception in 1997 is now at $380 million.
A suggestion: If this is to be a scholarship and not a subsidy, toughen up the criteria. “Medallion Scholars,” for example, get 75 percent of their tuition and fees covered at a four-year public university or 100 percent at a state community college. The criteria: A 970 SAT and a 3.0 average. This used to be called above average – but hardly scholarship worthy. Get real. If fewer qualify, so be it.
Then there is the (ostensibly) skewed-priority issue that Bright Futures’ critics lambaste when they reference the “BMW fund” or a rich kids’ “entitlement” program. Indeed, the state shouldn’t be in the business of indirectly subsidizing sorority fees or luxury cars.
A sliding scale, where need is a factor, could be accommodated. But only if need is far outweighed by merit and prestige. The best and brightest have plenty of options outside Florida, a state that can ill afford a brain drain. Now more than ever.