FLORIDA: Bright Futures

• Funding source: Lottery

• Money spent per year: $174 million (2001-02)

• High school graduates who qualify: 32%

• Number of recipients: 98,000-plus (2001-02)

• Requirements/payout: Florida Academic Scholars: Covers full tuition and fees, plus $300 per semester for expenses; covers some private school costs. Minimum 3.5 GPA, 75 hours of community service, 1270 SAT or 28 ACT. Program includes scholarships for lesser amounts (those scholarships have lower GPA and test score requirements).

• Renewal: Evaluated at the end of each spring term; need a 2.75 or 3.0 college GPA depending on the program.

• Note: 75% of first-time recipients in 2001-02 qualified for renewal in 2002-03.

MARYLAND: HOPE

• Funding source: State general fund

• Money spent per year: $18.4 million (2001-02)

• High school graduates who qualify: Not available

• Number of recipients: 4,483 (2003-04)

• Requirements: Must major in one of several eligible programs; GPA of 3.0 or higher; family annual income of $95,000 or less. All applicants are ranked beginning with the highest grade point average. Recipients must agree to work full time in Maryland, one year for each year of the award, or repay the scholarship with interest.

• Payout: $3,000 a year if attending a four-year college. Funds may not be available for all eligible students.

• Renewal: Must have a 3.0 GPA

NEW MEXICO: Lottery Success Scholarships

• Funding source: Lottery

• Money spent per year: $21.3 million (2002-03)

• High school graduates who qualify: 100%

• Number of recipients: 19,900 (2002-03)

• Requirements: Must be a New Mexico resident and have graduated from a New Mexico public high school or an accredited private high school, or have obtained a New Mexico GED. Must be enrolled full time and complete 12 graded credit hours at an eligible New Mexico public college in the first regular semester immediately following high school graduation.

• Payout: Up to 100% of tuition at the New Mexico public postsecondary institution, depending on funding availability. Students do not receive the award until their second semester.

• Renewal: Must have at least a 2.5 GPA each college semester; limited to seven semesters.

TENNESSEE: Education Lottery

Scholarship Program

• Funding source: Lottery

• Money spent per year: Projected to be $177 million in first year (2004-05)

• High school graduates who qualify: expected to be 65%

• Number of recipients: projected to be 65,000 students the first year

• Requirements: 3.0 GPA or 19 ACT (890 SAT). For extra academic supplement (General Assembly Merit), recipients need 3.75 GPA and 29 ACT (1280 SAT).

• Payout: Currently, $3,000 a year for a four-year college, plus $1,000 a year for need-based supplement or $1,000 for General Assembly Merit Scholarship.

HOPE Access Grant: $2,000 available only to freshmen and only to those who don't meet other HOPE requirements. Must get at least a 2.75 GPA and 18 ACT (860 SAT), and parents' adjusted gross income must be $36,000 or less.

• Renewal: Minimum 2.75 GPA for first year and a 3.0 GPA after second, third, fourth and fifth years. Must attempt 24 credit hours each year.

• Note: The amount of the scholarship depends upon funding from the lottery and the type of school a student attends. Students cannot regain the scholarship once they lose it.

WEST VIRGINIA: PROMISE

• Funding source: Video Lottery

• Money spent per year: $17 million (2003)

• High school graduates who qualify: about 33%

• Number of recipients: 4,300

• Requirements: 3.0 GPA and composite ACT of 21 (1000 SAT)

• Payout: Full tuition to a state college or university or an equivalent dollar scholarship ($2,800) to an in-state private college.

• Renewal: Must complete 30 credit hours in a 12-month period and get a 3.0 GPA (2.75 GPA the first year).

• Note: 73% of students qualify for renewal

GEORGIA: HOPE

• Funding source: Lottery

• Money spent per year: $323 million (2001-02)

• High school graduates who qualify: 56%

• Number of recipients: 196,002 (2001-02)

• Requirements: 3.0 GPA for HOPE scholars going to colleges and universities. No GPA requirement for students receiving HOPE grants to go to public technical colleges if they are not in a degree program.

• Payout: Covers full tuition and mandatory fees, plus $150 per semester for books at public colleges and universities; $3,000 annually for students attending private colleges in Georgia. Covers full tuition, mandatory fees and $100 per quarter for books at public technical colleges.

• Renewal: 3.0 GPA, checked every 30 hours for students at colleges and universities. No GPA requirement for students at public technical schools who are not in a degree program.

• Note: Not expected to be enough money to continue funding program as it is currently set up.

Source: State scholarship programs and education departments