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Bright Futures

Bright Futures

What is Bright Futures?

Bright Futures is a scholarship program funded by the state of Florida that rewards high school students for their academic achievements. It helps cover the cost of tuition and fees at eligible Florida colleges, universities, and technical schools. There are multiple award levels, including the Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) and Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS), each with its own GPA, coursework, community service, and test score requirements.

To qualify, students must:

  • Be a Florida resident and U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen

  • Earn the required high school GPA

  • Complete specific high school coursework

  • Perform a required number of volunteer or paid work hours

  • Submit a Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) by August 31 of their graduation year

Bright Futures is a fantastic way to reduce the cost of college—and many Pine Ridge students qualify each year! For more information or help applying, visit FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org or talk to your school counselor.

How to Apply for Bright Futures: Step-by-Step Guide

Applying for Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship is easy—but it’s important to follow each step carefully and meet all deadlines. Here’s the process:

1. Check Your Eligibility

Make sure you meet the requirements for the Bright Futures level you’re aiming for (FAS, FMS, GSV, or GSC), including:

  • Minimum GPA
  • Required community service or paid work hours
  • SAT/ACT scores (or qualifying certification for vocational levels)
  • Florida residency and U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen status

2. Submit the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA)

  • Visit www.FloridaStudentFinancialAidsg.org

  • Click on “Students”, then “Create a Student Account” to access the FFAA

  • Submit your application starting October 1 of your senior year

  • Deadline: August 31 after you graduate high school

Note: You do NOT need a college acceptance or final test scores to submit the FFAA.

3. Send Test Scores

  • Make sure your SAT and/or ACT scores are sent directly to one Florida public college or university

  • The state uses that school to receive and process your scores for Bright Futures

4. Track Your Progress

  • Check your eligibility status on your Bright Futures account (same site where you submitted the FFAA)

  • Your school will report your GPA, coursework, and service hours

5. Graduate and Finalize Eligibility

  • Finish your senior year strong! Your final GPA, test scores, and service hours will be verified after graduation

  • The Florida Department of Education will notify you via email if you qualify and the level you’ve earned

6. Use Your Award

  • Once accepted to a Florida college or university, your Bright Futures scholarship will be applied automatically to your tuition and fees—no need to reapply!

  • Just make sure to enroll in an eligible institution and register for classes

For more information or help applying, visit the College & Career Center or talk to your school counselor. Don’t miss out—this is one of Florida’s best opportunities for paying for college!

 

Bright Futures Scholarship Levels

Florida Bright Futures offers several scholarship levels to help students pay for college based on their academic achievements and service hours. Each level has different requirements and award amounts:

Florida Academic Scholars (FAS)

  • Covers: 100% of tuition and applicable fees at public colleges/universities (or a comparable amount at private institutions)

  • Requirements:

    • 3.50 weighted GPA in core academic courses

    • 100 hours of community service or paid work

    • Minimum ACT/SAT scores (e.g., 29 ACT or 1330 SAT—subject to change, always check the latest requirements)

Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS)

  • Covers: 75% of tuition and applicable fees at public colleges/universities (or a comparable amount at private institutions)

  • Requirements:

    • 3.00 weighted GPA in core academic courses

    • 75 hours of community service or paid work

    • Minimum ACT/SAT scores (e.g., 25 ACT or 1210 SAT)

Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV)

  • Covers: A fixed cost per credit hour for career/technical programs

  • Requirements:

    • 3.00 weighted GPA in non-elective high school courses

    • 3.50 GPA in career education courses

    • Minimum qualifying scores on the ACT, SAT, or PERT

    • 30 hours of community service or paid work

Gold Seal CAPE Scholars (GSC)

  • Covers: A fixed cost per credit hour toward an applied technology diploma, technical degree, or certificate program

  • Requirements:

    • Earn at least 5 postsecondary credit hours through CAPE (Career and Professional Education) industry certifications

    • No GPA or test score requirements