Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child qualified for Bright Futures, would you encourage them to just go to a Florida school? Dd doesn't have a big desire to go elsewhere, but do we pretty much just apply to Florida schools and then a few others out of state in case of merit? What have you done in a similar situation, with Bright Futures or your own state's scenario for qualified students?

If my kid has Bright Futures, I would only consider Florida schools unless they can get into an IVY or Stanford. Even then, I would still probably do University of Florida bc you cannot beat free v $300k. In face, if they are smart enough to get into an IVY, I would save your money for grad school. If not grad school, I think the money is better served helping your kid by their first house- since this generation is completely priced out of the market.

Ivies are not a goal (she doesn't like the NE anyway) and UF or FSU would be a no-brainer, but she cannot count on being admitted there. Chances are it would be UCF or USF. So I am wondering if we should apply elsewhere and hope for merit at another flagship somewhere, or private college.

I think UCF would be a great option - I have heard mainly good things about the school. Some majors in particular would make UCF a better choice than FSU. The only negative about UCF is the housing shortage after freshman - but many kids at a lot of colleges end up going off campus after their first year. Also, a lot of the off campus apartments are on the UCF shuttle route. You have many good options in Florida. I would not waste the Bright Futures.

Yes, people seem to love UCF. She is very unsure as far as major so a big school with lots of options is a must. UCF does not feel thrilling geographically being in Orlando but I guess we can look on the bright side in different ways.

Anonymous wrote:If your child qualified for Bright Futures, would you encourage them to just go to a Florida school? Dd doesn't have a big desire to go elsewhere, but do we pretty much just apply to Florida schools and then a few others out of state in case of merit? What have you done in a similar situation, with Bright Futures or your own state's scenario for qualified students?

UF grad

Bright futures is a great program normally I would 100 percent say stay in state now with DeSantis in charge nope.

Apply to a blue state what are you thinking? Get your kid out now

UF is going to be unaccredited within three years. Don’t believe me you are literally stupid and not paying attention.

My millions of scholarship monies no longer available and UF or Florida Stare.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child qualified for Bright Futures, would you encourage them to just go to a Florida school? Dd doesn't have a big desire to go elsewhere, but do we pretty much just apply to Florida schools and then a few others out of state in case of merit? What have you done in a similar situation, with Bright Futures or your own state's scenario for qualified students?

If my kid has Bright Futures, I would only consider Florida schools unless they can get into an IVY or Stanford. Even then, I would still probably do University of Florida bc you cannot beat free v $300k. In face, if they are smart enough to get into an IVY, I would save your money for grad school. If not grad school, I think the money is better served helping your kid by their first house- since this generation is completely priced out of the market.

Ivies are not a goal (she doesn't like the NE anyway) and UF or FSU would be a no-brainer, but she cannot count on being admitted there. Chances are it would be UCF or USF. So I am wondering if we should apply elsewhere and hope for merit at another flagship somewhere, or private college.

I think UCF would be a great option - I have heard mainly good things about the school. Some majors in particular would make UCF a better choice than FSU. The only negative about UCF is the housing shortage after freshman - but many kids at a lot of colleges end up going off campus after their first year. Also, a lot of the off campus apartments are on the UCF shuttle route. You have many good options in Florida. I would not waste the Bright Futures.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child qualified for Bright Futures, would you encourage them to just go to a Florida school? Dd doesn't have a big desire to go elsewhere, but do we pretty much just apply to Florida schools and then a few others out of state in case of merit? What have you done in a similar situation, with Bright Futures or your own state's scenario for qualified students?

No offense...but this website is DC Urban Moms. I think we have heard of the "Bright Futures" term, but many of us don't know what you get for it and what it entails.

Please, explain what Bright Futures gets you and then perhaps we can give some advice.

It's a free ride at Florida state colleges based on grades and SAT/ACT scores. The catch is admission at UF and FSU is difficult. She definitely would get in one of the other regional universities, and does have a shot at UF and FSU.

Seems like your approach is about right. Is your kid a Top 10 candidate and would you qualify for lots of need-aid for those schools? Maybe something like that is worth it, but don't let her apply unless you go to the net cost calculator and decide you would be willing to contribute whatever it spits out if your kid picks one of those schools.

Not OP, but if her kid is a T10 candidate they should be able to get into UF, and especially FSU. Sort of like saying a T10 kid should be able to get into UVA, W&M, or Tech. There are nuances and things do go sideways sometimes, but the T10 admission should be the hardest.

Although I have seen kids get into Harvard but not UF- it's the huge savings that is difficult to walk away from. I wish Virginia had Bright Futures - basically mid 1300's gets you a free ride- in some cases, you even get a refund!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child qualified for Bright Futures, would you encourage them to just go to a Florida school? Dd doesn't have a big desire to go elsewhere, but do we pretty much just apply to Florida schools and then a few others out of state in case of merit? What have you done in a similar situation, with Bright Futures or your own state's scenario for qualified students?

If my kid has Bright Futures, I would only consider Florida schools unless they can get into an IVY or Stanford. Even then, I would still probably do University of Florida bc you cannot beat free v $300k. In face, if they are smart enough to get into an IVY, I would save your money for grad school. If not grad school, I think the money is better served helping your kid by their first house- since this generation is completely priced out of the market.

Ivies are not a goal (she doesn't like the NE anyway) and UF or FSU would be a no-brainer, but she cannot count on being admitted there. Chances are it would be UCF or USF. So I am wondering if we should apply elsewhere and hope for merit at another flagship somewhere, or private college.

Anonymous wrote:If your child qualified for Bright Futures, would you encourage them to just go to a Florida school? Dd doesn't have a big desire to go elsewhere, but do we pretty much just apply to Florida schools and then a few others out of state in case of merit? What have you done in a similar situation, with Bright Futures or your own state's scenario for qualified students?

If my kid has Bright Futures, I would only consider Florida schools unless they can get into an IVY or Stanford. Even then, I would still probably do University of Florida bc you cannot beat free v $300k. In face, if they are smart enough to get into an IVY, I would save your money for grad school. If not grad school, I think the money is better served helping your kid by their first house- since this generation is completely priced out of the market.

UF tuition and fees are a dirt cheap $6,380 next year. Bright futures cover this piece, it's not a "free ride" which also covers room and board. So with or without Bright Futures, UF in state is extremely compelling. The other Florida universities are priced similarly. If only UMD, VT, and especially UVA could follow their lead in pricing.... Florida State is only $22k for tuition and fees out of state.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child qualified for Bright Futures, would you encourage them to just go to a Florida school? Dd doesn't have a big desire to go elsewhere, but do we pretty much just apply to Florida schools and then a few others out of state in case of merit? What have you done in a similar situation, with Bright Futures or your own state's scenario for qualified students?

No offense...but this website is DC Urban Moms. I think we have heard of the "Bright Futures" term, but many of us don't know what you get for it and what it entails.

Please, explain what Bright Futures gets you and then perhaps we can give some advice.

It's a free ride at Florida state colleges based on grades and SAT/ACT scores. The catch is admission at UF and FSU is difficult. She definitely would get in one of the other regional universities, and does have a shot at UF and FSU.

Seems like your approach is about right. Is your kid a Top 10 candidate and would you qualify for lots of need-aid for those schools? Maybe something like that is worth it, but don't let her apply unless you go to the net cost calculator and decide you would be willing to contribute whatever it spits out if your kid picks one of those schools.

Not OP, but if her kid is a T10 candidate they should be able to get into UF, and especially FSU. Sort of like saying a T10 kid should be able to get into UVA, W&M, or Tech. There are nuances and things do go sideways sometimes, but the T10 admission should be the hardest.

I get that. You are missing the point. I was trying to arrive at a financial outcome that may be same or similar. If the family only makes $100k and they get accepted to Princeton, it will be free as well. That kind of offer only exists at a Top 10-15 school.

Just throwing out options that will result in the same financial calculation, as I don't see acceptance to say University of South Carolina going to be worth it, even if OP's kid goes to UCF or another FL university for free.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child qualified for Bright Futures, would you encourage them to just go to a Florida school? Dd doesn't have a big desire to go elsewhere, but do we pretty much just apply to Florida schools and then a few others out of state in case of merit? What have you done in a similar situation, with Bright Futures or your own state's scenario for qualified students?

No offense...but this website is DC Urban Moms. I think we have heard of the "Bright Futures" term, but many of us don't know what you get for it and what it entails.

Please, explain what Bright Futures gets you and then perhaps we can give some advice.

It's a free ride at Florida state colleges based on grades and SAT/ACT scores. The catch is admission at UF and FSU is difficult. She definitely would get in one of the other regional universities, and does have a shot at UF and FSU.

Seems like your approach is about right. Is your kid a Top 10 candidate and would you qualify for lots of need-aid for those schools? Maybe something like that is worth it, but don't let her apply unless you go to the net cost calculator and decide you would be willing to contribute whatever it spits out if your kid picks one of those schools.

Not OP, but if her kid is a T10 candidate they should be able to get into UF, and especially FSU. Sort of like saying a T10 kid should be able to get into UVA, W&M, or Tech. There are nuances and things do go sideways sometimes, but the T10 admission should be the hardest.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child qualified for Bright Futures, would you encourage them to just go to a Florida school? Dd doesn't have a big desire to go elsewhere, but do we pretty much just apply to Florida schools and then a few others out of state in case of merit? What have you done in a similar situation, with Bright Futures or your own state's scenario for qualified students?

No offense...but this website is DC Urban Moms. I think we have heard of the "Bright Futures" term, but many of us don't know what you get for it and what it entails.

Please, explain what Bright Futures gets you and then perhaps we can give some advice.

It's a free ride at Florida state colleges based on grades and SAT/ACT scores. The catch is admission at UF and FSU is difficult. She definitely would get in one of the other regional universities, and does have a shot at UF and FSU.

I understand the bar is higher for UF/FSU, but you'll need to post her stat if you want people to offer suggestions of places where she might be eligible for merit, but I'll be surprised if anything out of state would get close to a full ride through Bright Futures.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child qualified for Bright Futures, would you encourage them to just go to a Florida school? Dd doesn't have a big desire to go elsewhere, but do we pretty much just apply to Florida schools and then a few others out of state in case of merit? What have you done in a similar situation, with Bright Futures or your own state's scenario for qualified students?

No offense...but this website is DC Urban Moms. I think we have heard of the "Bright Futures" term, but many of us don't know what you get for it and what it entails.

Please, explain what Bright Futures gets you and then perhaps we can give some advice.

It's a free ride at Florida state colleges based on grades and SAT/ACT scores. The catch is admission at UF and FSU is difficult. She definitely would get in one of the other regional universities, and does have a shot at UF and FSU.

Seems like your approach is about right. Is your kid a Top 10 candidate and would you qualify for lots of need-aid for those schools? Maybe something like that is worth it, but don't let her apply unless you go to the net cost calculator and decide you would be willing to contribute whatever it spits out if your kid picks one of those schools.

I'm a Floridian but have raised my kids in the DMV and agree. This is such a Florida specific question that you'd probably get better answers on Florida specific threads at College Confidential, etc.

Bright Futures is the most generous program that I know of (thanks Florida lottery - DMV has nothing similar) so unless there is some super compelling reason I'm not sure why you wouldn't take advantage of it if your kid qualifies.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your child qualified for Bright Futures, would you encourage them to just go to a Florida school? Dd doesn't have a big desire to go elsewhere, but do we pretty much just apply to Florida schools and then a few others out of state in case of merit? What have you done in a similar situation, with Bright Futures or your own state's scenario for qualified students?

No offense...but this website is DC Urban Moms. I think we have heard of the "Bright Futures" term, but many of us don't know what you get for it and what it entails.

Please, explain what Bright Futures gets you and then perhaps we can give some advice.

It's a free ride at Florida state colleges based on grades and SAT/ACT scores. The catch is admission at UF and FSU is difficult. She definitely would get in one of the other regional universities, and does have a shot at UF and FSU.

Anonymous wrote:If your child qualified for Bright Futures, would you encourage them to just go to a Florida school? Dd doesn't have a big desire to go elsewhere, but do we pretty much just apply to Florida schools and then a few others out of state in case of merit? What have you done in a similar situation, with Bright Futures or your own state's scenario for qualified students?

No offense...but this website is DC Urban Moms. I think we have heard of the "Bright Futures" term, but many of us don't know what you get for it and what it entails.

Please, explain what Bright Futures gets you and then perhaps we can give some advice.

If your child qualified for Bright Futures, would you encourage them to just go to a Florida school? Dd doesn't have a big desire to go elsewhere, but do we pretty much just apply to Florida schools and then a few others out of state in case of merit? What have you done in a similar situation, with Bright Futures or your own state's scenario for qualified students?