All of a sudden 177,000 Bright Futures scholarship families are getting hip to what Sen. Evelyn Lynn and the rest of the lugheads in the Legislature did to one of the most successful Republican initiatives in Florida history.

Lawmakers have backed away from a demand that applicants for the merit-based Bright Futures Scholarship Program file for federal financial aid.

During a weekend budget conference, the House and Senate removed from a proposed Bright Futures overhaul the requirement that scholarship hopefuls file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as FAFSA.