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College tuition in Florida will likely go up 15 percent next year, and the Bright Futures scholarship program might not pick up the difference. The Senate approved changes to Bright Futures this week to save money and as Whitney Ray tells us, students are not happy.

Abby Fishburn wouldn’t be at Florida State University if it wasn’t for her Bright Futures Scholarship.

“It’s why I stayed in Florida to go to school,” said Abby.

But now lawmakers want to renege on the promise of a full free ride, voting for a tuition increase that won’t be covered by Bright Futures. The change could leave Abby looking money to cover a 15 percent tuition hike.

“I probably will have to loans then because I’m paying for school myself. So that will make a big difference,” said Abby.

It’s the same story for Carrington Gadson.

“It’s my means of income. It pays for my classes. My parents help out,” said Carrington.

Not covering the tuition increase isn’t the only blow to the Bright Futures program.

The Senate plan also reduces the number of years a student has to use the scholarship, raises the standards to qualify, and only allows Bright Futures to be used for required courses.

State Senator Evelyn Lynn is pushing the changes. She says the scholarship program has gotten too big.

“If we don’t’ make these changes to save money then we won’t have bright futures at all,” said Lynn.

Reducing Bright Futures reach is expected to save the state 150 million dollars; money the Senate wants to use to boost higher education spending.