Students in the high school Bright Futures program, which provides state-funded scholarships to accomplished students, may get a state-backed mentorship program to go with it–all from the minds of Osceola County students.
State Rep. Kristen Arrington (D-Kissimmee) has introduced House Bill 895 during the current session. It would require schools to establish a Bright Futures Scholarship Mentorship program. The idea came from Arrington’s student bill-drafting contest. Her staff noted the idea came from the barriers students faced while navigating the college admissions process.
The program would require school counselors to review eligibility requirements with students so they can be updated and informed of their status relating to the program, and establish campaigns through school districts to keep students and families informed on recent program changes and updates.
Osceola’s Florida Senator, Victor Torres, filed the matching Senate Bill 1484.
“We were very excited about this bill and the students who put it together were tremendous to work with,” Arrington said. “It is a wonderful opportunity for these students to be a part of the legislative process and I think this legislation will help Florida students stay in Florida for their higher education.”
“Bright Futures is an essential program for our students to further their education and relieve some of the cost for families. It’s important that our students are aware of qualification requirements and any changes within the program to ensure a smooth transition to higher education,” Torres said.
Angelo Fils-Aime, Osceola County high school student and bill drafting contest participant, said the bill will foster a supportive environment for college-bound students.
“The bill aims to create a We firmly believe in its transformative impact on the future of education in Florida. This bill seeks to guide students toward educational success and encourage them to use their resources to foster a culture of academic excellence in the state of Florida,” Fils-Aime said.
