FL S0132

Establishes the Sunshine Scholarship Program administered by the Department of Education to provide 100 percent tuition and fees coverage for Florida residents pursuing associate degrees or career certificates at Florida College System institutions, career centers, or charter technical career centers.

Requires students to have annual household income of $50,000 or less, be Florida residents for tuition purposes, maintain full-time enrollment (minimum 12 semester hours), complete the FAFSA annually, and maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA.

Mandates that Pell Grants, Florida Public Student Assistance Grants, and Florida Bright Futures Scholarships be applied to tuition and fees before Sunshine Scholarship funds are awarded.

Requires scholarship recipients to reside and work in Florida for a period equal to their time receiving funds, or repay the total award plus interest at the federal student loan rate; exemptions apply for Armed Forces enlistment or continued enrollment in a Florida baccalaureate degree program.

Limits scholarship coverage to tuition and fees only, with students responsible for user fees, textbooks, and other college expenses; program funding to be provided through the General Appropriations Act, effective July 1, 2020.