A bill that would offer free college tuition to thousands of Florida students has cleared its first hurdle in the House.
Members of the Post-Secondary Education committee voted unanimously for HB 181 to create the "Florida Sunshine Scholarship Program."
If passed, the bill would cover 100 percent of tuition and fees for Florida residents with an annual household income of $50,000.
"'The Sunshine Scholarship Program’ will ensure that those seeking to break the cycle of generational poverty can get a head start on a bachelor’s degree or the career-based training they need to get a good-paying job in the economy of the future," stated Rep. Shevrin Jones of West Park, who presented the bill.