Florida Senate Bill 86 (2021)

Florida Senate Bill 86 (2021) (2021)
Florida Senate Committees on Appropriations; and Education; and Dennis Baxley
3772810Florida Senate Bill 86 (2021)2021Florida Senate Committees on Appropriations; and Education; and Dennis Baxley

A bill to be entitled

An act relating to student financial aid; creating s. 1006.75, F.S.; requiring the Board of Governors of the State University System to create an online dashboard; specifying minimum information to be included in the dashboard; requiring the dashboard to be available by a specified date; requiring each state university office of admissions website to contain a link to the dashboard; requiring each state university board of trustees to adopt certain procedures; requiring the procedures to include placing a hold on certain students’ registrations; specifying the requirements for students to lift the hold; requiring the Board of Governors to approve such procedures by a specified date; amending s. 1009.25, F.S.; making technical changes; amending s. 1009.40, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; creating s. 1009.46, F.S.; specifying the duties of certain postsecondary educational institutions with regard to financial aid and tuition assistance programs; specifying penalties for noncompliance; requiring the Board of Governors, the State Board of Education, and the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida to each approve, by a specified date, a list of career certificate and undergraduate and graduate degree programs that they determine do not lead directly to employment; requiring that each list include specified information; requiring that the state board list include programs at independent colleges and universities licensed by the Commission for Independent Education; requiring each entity to publish the methodology used in determining whether programs are included on the list; requiring that the lists be updated annually, by a specified date, to be effective the next academic year; amending s. 1009.50, F.S.; revising the formula for calculating how Florida Public Student Assistance Grant Program funds are distributed; deleting a provision authorizing Florida Public Student Assistance Grant Program funds to be deposited in the State Student Financial Assistance Trust Fund; deleting a provision requiring any balance in the trust fund which was allocated to the Florida Public Student Assistance Grant Program at the end of the fiscal year to remain therein; amending s. 1009.505, F.S.; deleting a provision authorizing Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant Program funds to be deposited in the trust fund; deleting a provision requiring any balance in the trust fund which was allocated to the Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant Program at the end of the fiscal year to remain therein; amending s. 1009.51, F.S.; revising the formula for calculating how Florida Private Student Assistance Grant Program funds are distributed; deleting a provision authorizing Florida Private Student Assistance Grant Program funds to be deposited in the trust fund; deleting a provision requiring any balance in the trust fund which was allocated to the Florida Private Student Assistance Grant Program at the end of the fiscal year to remain therein; amending s. 1009.52, F.S.; revising the formula for how Florida Postsecondary Student Assistance Grant Program funds are distributed; deleting a provision authorizing Florida Postsecondary Student Assistance Grant Program funds to be deposited in the trust fund; deleting a provision requiring any balance in the trust fund which was allocated to the Florida Postsecondary Student Assistance Grant Program at the end of the fiscal year to remain therein; amending s. 1009.53, F.S.; requiring the Department of Education to advertise the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program to specified persons no later than a specified date of each year; deleting a provision authorizing unused Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program funds to be carried forward; deleting a provision authorizing certain students to receive specified loans; amending s. 1009.534, F.S.; revising and expanding eligibility requirements of the Florida Academic Scholars award; providing that a Florida Academic Scholar is eligible for an award equal to the amount specified in the General Appropriations Act; amending s. 1009.535, F.S.; revising and expanding eligibility for a Florida Medallion Scholars award; providing a Florida Medallion Scholar is eligible for an award equal to the amount specified in the General Appropriations Act; amending s. 1009.893, F.S.; requiring a student who enrolls in a baccalaureate degree program in specified academic years to comply with certain requirements to attain a Benacquisto Scholarship; providing that the amount awarded under the program will be as specified in the General Appropriations Act; providing an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Section 1006.75, Florida Statutes, is created to read:

1006.75 State university career planning and information.—

(1) To assist students and families in making better—informed decisions about educational options and future employment opportunities, the Board of Governors of the State University System shall publicly publish an online dashboard. The dashboard must present data, by academic discipline, of graduates of state universities, including at least the following information:

(a) Post-graduation median salary 1, 5, and 10 years after graduation;

(b) Median student loan debt;

(c) Debt-to-income ratio;

(d) Estimated monthly loan payment as a percentage of gross monthly income; and

(e) The percentage of graduates who have continued their education beyond the baccalaureate level.

(2) The online dashboard must be available by January 1, 2022. A link to the dashboard shall be prominently displayed on each state university’s office of admissions website. (3) (a) Each state university board of trustees shall adopt procedures to connect undergraduate students to career planning, coaching, and related programs during the first academic year of the student’s enrollment. Such procedures must be approved by the Board of Governors and include placing a hold on student registration before the end of the first year of each student's enrollment. To lift the hold and register for classes, each student must:

1. Register with the university’s career center;

2. Complete a career readiness training module provided by the career center;

3. Be directed to the dashboard established in subsection (1); and

4. Affirmatively indicate that _he or she has been provided with the information required under this paragraph and is aware of the employment and wage prospects for his or her declared major.

(b) The Board of Governors of the State University System shall review and approve each university’s procedures by March 1, 2022.

Section 2. Paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (1) of section 1009.25, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

1009.25 Fee exemptions.—

(1) The following students are exempt from the payment of tuition and fees, including lab fees, at a school district that provides workforce education programs, Florida College System institution, or state university:

(c) A student who is, or was at the time he or she reached 18 years of age, in the custody of the Department of Children and Families or who, after spending at least 6 months in the custody of the department after reaching 16 years of age, was placed in a guardianship by the court. Such exemption includes fees associated with enrollment in applied academics for adult education instruction. The exemption remains valid until the student reaches 28 years of age.

(d) A student who is, or was at the time he or she reached 18 years of age, in the custody of a relative or nonrelative under s. 39.5085 or s. 39.6225 or who was adopted from the Department of Children and Families after May 5, 1997. Such exemption includes fees associated with enrollment in applied academics for adult education instruction. The exemption remains valid until the student reaches 28 years of age.

Section 3. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 1009.40, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1009.40 General requirements for student eligibility for state financial aid awards and tuition assistance grants.—

(1) (a) The general requirements for eligibility of students for state financial aid awards and tuition assistance grants consist of the following:

1. Achievement of the academic requirements of and acceptance at a state university or Florida College System institution; a nursing diploma school approved by the Florida Board of Nursing; a Florida college or university which is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the State Board of Education; a Florida institution the credits of which are acceptable for transfer to state universities; a career center; or a private career institution accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the State Board of Education. 2. Residency in this state for no less than 1 year preceding the award of aid or a tuition assistance grant for a program established pursuant to s. 1009.50, s. 1009.505, s. 1009.51, s. 1009.52, s. 1009.53, s. 1009.60, s. 1009.62, s. TRS) 4009.72, s. 1009.73, s. 1009.75, s. 1009.77, s. 1009.89, or s. 1009.891, or s. 1009.894. Residency in this state must be for purposes other than to obtain an education. Resident status for purposes of receiving state financial aid awards shall be determined in the same manner as resident status for tuition purposes pursuant to s. 1009.21. 3. Submission of certification attesting to the accuracy, completeness, and correctness of information provided to demonstrate a student’s eligibility to receive state financial aid awards or tuition assistance grants. Falsification of such information shall result in the denial of a pending application and revocation of an award or grant currently held to the extent that no further payments shall be made. Additionally, students who knowingly make false statements in order to receive state financial aid awards or tuition assistance grants commit a misdemeanor of the second degree subject to the provisions of s. 837.06 and shall be required to return all state financial aid awards or tuition assistance grants wrongfully obtained.

Section 4. Section 1009.46, Florida Statutes, is created to read:

1009.46 Duties relating to state financial aid and tuition assistance programs.-

(1) (a) Each postsecondary educational institution that receives state funds for state financial aid and tuition assistance programs shall: 1. Complete and return the annual application for state aid funds in the format_and by the date established by the Department of Education;

2. Maintain complete, accurate, and auditable student records documenting the institution’s administration of state financial aid_and tuition assistance funds;

3. Verify eligibility of enrolled students with the department each academic term;

4. Report each student’s program of study to the department using the most _recent classification of instructional programs taxonomy for the certificate or degree level as developed by the United States Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics;

5. Disburse state financial aid _and tuition assistance to eligible students;

6. Notify students annually regarding the renewal requirements for each state-funded award for which they are eligible;

7. Complete and return to the department all reports for the administration of state funds in the format and by the date established by the department;

8. Complete and return to the department all legislatively required reports in the format and by the date established by the department;

9. Retain required records for the later of 5 years or until such records are audited and any audit exceptions are resolved; and

10. Refund to the department any undisbursed advances within 60 days after the end of the regular registration period each fall and spring term, within 30 days after the end of the summer term, or within 60 days after the date a student’s ineligibility is determined.

(b) These requirements do not preclude higher standards specified in other sections of this part or rules of the State Board of Education.

(c) An institution that fails to perform its duties in administering state financial aid or tuition assistance programs must be placed _on probation by the department.

1. The department shall provide allocations on a reimbursement basis to a participating institution that fails to timely remit undisbursed funds for the previous academic year.

2. The department may suspend or revoke an institution's eligibility to participate in state-funded programs if the institution fails to provide the required audits, fails to resolve audit findings, or fails to timely provide statutorily required reports by established deadlines.

(2) (a) By December 31, 2021, the Board of Governors, the State Board of Education, and the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida shall each identify and publish a list of career certificate and undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered by a district career center, charter technical career center, Florida College System institution, independent college or university, or state university, as applicable, which do not lead directly to employment.

(b) In determining which programs will be included on a list, the Board of Governors, the State Board of Education, and the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida shall consider national, state, and regional industry demand for certificateholders and graduates of such degree programs. For each certificate and degree program listed, the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education must identify: occupations, current job openings, estimates of job growth, and employment wages. The State Board of Education list must include programs at independent colleges and universities licensed by the Commission for Independent Education.

(c) The Board of Governors, the State Board of Education, and the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida must publish the methodology used in determining whether programs were included on a list. (d) The respective lists must _be updated annually, by December 31, to be effective in the next academic year.

Section 5. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) and subsection (5) of section 1009.50, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

1009.50 Florida Public Student Assistance Grant Program; eligibility for grants.—

(4) (a) The funds appropriated for the Florida Public Student Assistance Grant Program shall be distributed to eligible institutions in accordance with a formula approved by the State Board of Education. The formula must consider at least the prior year’s distribution of funds and, the number of eligible applicants who did not receive awards, the standardization of the expected family contribution, and provisions for unused funds. The formula must account for changes in the number of eligible students across all student assistance grant programs established pursuant to this section and ss. 1009.505, 1009.51, and 1009.52. 5} Funds appropriated by the Legislature for state student assistance grants may be deposited in the State Student Financial Assistance Trust Fund. Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year which has been allocated to the Florida Public Student Assistance Grant Program shall remain therein and shall be available for carrying out the purposes of this section.

Section 6. Subsection (5) of section 1009.505, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

1009.505 Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant Program.—

(5) Funds appropriated by the Legislature for state student assistance grants may be deposited in the State Student Financial Assistance Trust Fund. Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year which has been allocated to the Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant Program shall remain therein and shall be available for carrying out the purposes of this section.

Section 7. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) and subsection (5) of section 1009.51, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

1009.51 Florida Private Student Assistance Grant Program; eligibility for grants.—

(4)(a) The funds appropriated for the Florida Private Student Assistance Grant Program shall be distributed to eligible institutions in accordance with a formula approved by the State Board of Education. The formula must consider at least the prior year’s distribution of funds and, the number of eligible applicants who did not receive awards, the standardization of the expected family contribution, and provisions for unused funds. The formula must account for changes in the number of eligible students across all student assistance grant programs established pursuant to this section and ss. 1009.50, 1009.505, and 1009.52.

(5) Funds appropriated by the Legislature for Florida private student assistance grants may be deposited in the State Student Financial Assistance Trust Fund. Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year which has been allocated to the Florida Private Student Assistance Grant Program shall remain therein and shall be available for carrying out the purposes of this section and as otherwise provided by law.

Section 8. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) and subsection (6) of section 1009.52, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

1009.52 Florida Postsecondary Student Assistance Grant Program; eligibility for grants.—

(4)(a) The funds appropriated for the Florida Postsecondary Student Assistance Grant Program shall be distributed to eligible institutions in accordance with a formula approved by the State Board of Education. The formula must consider at least the prior year’s distribution of funds and, the number of eligible applicants who did not receive awards, the standardization of the expected family contribution, and provisions for unused funds. The formula must account for changes in the number of eligible students across all student assistance grant programs established pursuant to this section and ss. 1009.50, 1009.505, and 1009.51.

(6) Funds appropriated by the Legislature for Florida postsecondary student assistance grants may be deposited in the State Student Financial Assistance Trust Fund. Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year which has been allocated to the Florida Postsecondary Student Assistance Grant Program shall remain therein and shall be available for carrying out the purposes of this section and as otherwise provided by law.

Section 9. Subsections (3), (4), and (7) of section 1009.53, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

1009.53 Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.—

(3) The Department of Education shall administer the Bright Futures Scholarship Program according to rules and procedures established by the State Board of Education. A single application must be sufficient for a student to apply for any of the awards. The department shall advertise the availability of the scholarship program and shall notify students, teachers, parents, certified school counselors, and principals or other relevant school administrators of the criteria and application procedures. The department must begin this process of notification no later than September January 1 of each year.

(4) Funding for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program must be allocated from the Education Enhancement Trust Fund and must be provided before allocations from that fund are calculated for disbursement to other educational entities.

(a) If funds appropriated are not adequate to provide the maximum allowable award to each eligible applicant, awards in all components of the program must be prorated using the same percentage reduction.

(b) Notwithstanding s. 216.301, if all funds allocated to the Bright Futures Scholarship Program are not used in any fiscal year, up to 10 percent of the total allocation may be carried forward and used for awards in the following year.

(7) A student may receive only one type of award from the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program at any given time, but may transfer from one type of award to another through the renewal application process, if the student’s eligibility status changes. However, a student is not eligible to transfer from a Florida Medallion Scholarship, a Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholarship, or a Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship to a Florida Academic Scholarship. A student who receives an award from the program may also receive a federal family education loan or a federal direct loan, and the value of the award must be considered in the certification or calculation of the student’s loan eligibility.

Section 10. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 1009.534, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

1009.534 Florida Academic Scholars award.—

(1) A student is eligible for a Florida Academic Scholars award if he or she meets the general eligibility requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and:

(a) Has achieved a 3.5 weighted grade point average as calculated pursuant to s. 1009.531, or its equivalent, in high school courses that are designated by the State Board of Education as college-preparatory academic courses and has attained at least the score required under s. 1009.531(6)(a) 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 ACT Assessment Program;

(b) Has attended a home education program according to s. 1002.41 during grades 11 and 12, has completed the International Baccalaureate curriculum but failed to earn the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or has completed the Advanced International Certificate of Education curriculum but failed to earn the Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma, and has attained at least the score required under s. 1009.531(6)(a) 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 ACT Assessment Program;

(c) Has been awarded an International Baccalaureate Diploma from the International Baccalaureate Office or an Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma from the University of Cambridge International Examinations Office;

(d) Has been recognized by the merit or achievement programs of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as a scholar or finalist; or

(e) Has been granted academic honors by one or more of the College Board National Recognition Programs for students from underrepresented communities; or recognized by the National Hispanic Recognition Program as a scholar recipient

(f) For a high school student who graduated in the 2021 2022 academic year and thereafter:

1. Has earned an associate degree with a minimum postsecondary cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale before graduating from high school; or 2. Has earned a College Board Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma with scores of 4 or higher on six Advanced Placement examinations.

The student must complete a program of volunteer service work, as approved by the district school board, the administrators of a nonpublic school, or the Department of Education for home education program students, which must include a minimum of 75 hours of service work for high school students graduating in the 2010-2011 academic year and 100 hours of service work for high school students graduating in the 2011-2012 academic year and thereafter. The student must identify a social or civic issue or a professional area that interests him or her, develop a plan for his or her personal involvement in addressing the issue or learning about the area, and, through papers or other presentations, evaluate and reflect upon his or her experience. Except for credit earned through service-learning courses adopted pursuant to s. 1003.497, the student may not receive remuneration or academic credit for the volunteer service work performed. Such work may include, but is not limited to, a business or governmental internship, work for a nonprofit community service organization, or activities on behalf of a candidate for public office. The hours of volunteer service must be documented in writing, and the document must be signed by the student, the student’s parent or guardian, and a representative of the organization for which the student performed the volunteer service work.

(2) A Florida Academic Scholar who is enrolled in a certificate, diploma, associate, or baccalaureate degree program at a public or nonpublic postsecondary educational education institution is eligible for an award equal to the amount specified necessary to pay 100 percent of tuition and fees established under ss. 1009.22(3), (5), (6), and (7); 1009.23(3), (4), (7), (8), (10), and (11); and 1009.24(4), (7)-(13), (14)(r), and (16), as applicable, and is eligible for an additional stipend for textbooks, to assist with the payment of educational expenses as funds are specifically appropriated in the General Appropriations Act to assist with the payment of educational expenses.

Section 11. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 1009.535, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

1009.535 Florida Medallion Scholars award.—

(1) A student is eligible for a Florida Medallion Scholars award if he or she meets the general eligibility requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and:

(a) Has achieved a weighted grade point average of 3.0 as calculated pursuant to s. 1009.531, or the equivalent, in high school courses that are designated by the State Board of Education as college-preparatory academic courses and has attained at least the score required under s. 1009.531(6)(b) 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 ACT Assessment Program;

(b) Has completed the International Baccalaureate curriculum but failed to earn the International Baccalaureate Diploma or has completed the Advanced International Certificate of Education curriculum but failed to earn the Advanced International Certificate of Education Diploma, and has attained at least the score required under s. 1009.531(6)(b) 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 ACT Assessment Program;

(c) Has attended a home education program according to s. 1002.41 during grades 11 and 12 and has attained at least the score required under s. 1009.531(6)(b) 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 ACT Assessment Program;

(d) Has been recognized by the merit or achievement program of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation as a scholar or finalist but has not completed the program of volunteer service work required under s. 1009.534; or

(e) Has been granted academic honors by one or more of the College Board National Recognition Programs for students from underrepresented communities recognized by the National Hispanic Recognition Program as a scholar, but has not completed the program of volunteer service work required under s. 1009.534; or

(f) For a high school student who graduates in the 2021 2022 academic year and thereafter:

1. Has earned an associate degree with a minimum cumulative postsecondary grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale before graduating from high school; or

2. Has earned an Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma with scores of 3 or higher on six Advanced Placement Examinations. A high school student graduating in the 2011-2012 academic year and thereafter must complete at least 75 hours of volunteer service work approved by the district school board, the administrators of a nonpublic school, or the Department of Education for home education program students. The student must identify a social or civic issue or a professional area that interests him or her, develop a plan for his or her personal involvement in addressing the issue or learning about the area, and, through papers or other presentations, evaluate and reflect upon his or her experience. Except for credit earned through service-learning courses adopted pursuant to s. 1003.497, the student may not receive remuneration or academic credit for volunteer service work performed. Such work may include, but is not limited to, a business or governmental internship, work for a nonprofit community service organization, or activities on behalf of a candidate for public office. The hours of volunteer service must be documented in writing, and the document must be signed by the student, the student’s parent or guardian, and a representative of the organization for which the student performed the volunteer service work.

(2) A Florida Medallion Scholar who is enrolled in a certificate, diploma, associate, or baccalaureate degree program at a public or nonpublic postsecondary educational education institution is eligible, beginning in the fall 2018 semester, for an award equal to the amount specified in the General Appropriations Act necessary to pay 75 percent of tuition and fees established under ss. 1009.22(3), (5), (6), and (7); 1009.23(3), (4), (7), (8), (10), and (11); and 1009.24(4), (7) (13), (14)(r), and (16), as applicable, to assist with the payment of educational expenses. Beginning in the fall 2021 semester, a Florida Medallion Scholar who is enrolled in an associate degree program at a Florida College System institution is eligible for an award equal to the amount specified in the General Appropriations Act necessary to pay 100 percent of tuition and fees established under s. 1009.23(3), (4), (7), (8), (10), and (11) to assist with the payment of educational expenses.

Section 12. Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) and subsection (5) of section 1009.893, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

1009.893 Benacquisto Scholarship Program.—

(4) In order to be eligible for an initial award under the scholarship program, a student must meet the requirements of paragraph (a) or paragraph (b).

(b) A student who initially enrolls in a baccalaureate degree program in the 2018-2019 through 2021-2022 academic years year or later and who is not a resident of this state, as determined in s. 1009.40 and rules of the State Board of Education, must:

1. Physically reside in this state on or near the campus of the postsecondary educational institution in which the student is enrolled;

2. Earn a high school diploma from a school outside Florida which is comparable to a standard Florida high school diploma or its equivalent pursuant to s. 1002.3105, s. 1003.4281, s. 1003.4282, or s. 1003.435 or must complete a home education program in another state; and

3. Be accepted by and enrolled full-time in a baccalaureate degree program at an eligible regionally accredited Florida public or independent postsecondary educational institution during the fall academic term following high school graduation.

(5)(a)1. An eligible student who meets the requirements of paragraph (4)(a), who is a National Merit Scholar, and who attends a Florida public postsecondary educational institution shall receive a scholarship award as specified in the General Appropriations Act equal to the institutional cost of attendance minus the sum of the student’s Florida Bright Futures Scholarship and National Merit Scholarship.

2. An eligible student who meets the requirements of paragraph (4)(b), who is a National Merit Scholar, and who attends a Florida public postsecondary educational institution shall receive a scholarship award as specified in the General Appropriations Act equal to the institutional cost of attendance for a resident of this state minus the student’s National Merit Scholarship. Such student is exempt from the payment of out-of state fees.

(b) An eligible student who is a National Merit Scholar and who attends a Florida independent postsecondary educational institution shall receive a scholarship award as specified in the General Appropriations Act equal to the highest cost of attendance for a resident of this state enrolled at a Florida public university, as reported by the Board of Governors of the State University System, minus the sum of the student’s Florida Bright Futures Scholarship and National Merit Scholarship.

Section 13. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.