Florida Scholarships

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bright Futures Scholarship Programs*

To be considered for any of the Bright Futures Scholarship programs, students must complete a Student Authorization Form and submit that form to the high school guidance office by spring graduation. Students must qualify for the Bright Futures Program by the time they graduate from high school. If qualified, an early admissions student may receive a scholarship in the fall of the early admissions year or after completion of that year. Approximately two weeks after graduation, high school guidance departments will forward (electronically) student transcripts to the Department of Education for evaluation based on student authorization and student test score results. Grade point averages will be calculated by the Department of Education. The Department of Education will mail an award letter to qualified candidates.

Scholarship value is dependent upon legislative funding each year. If fully funded, the Florida Academic Scholars award is equal to 100% of state tuition and a $600 stipend. The Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholar award and the Florida Merit Scholar award are equal to 75% of state tuition. If attending an eligible private institution within the state, the value of award is equivalent to an average of tuition at a comparable state public institution. All requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship program are subject to Legislative Changes. For current information updates, contact the Guidance Office.

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program establishes lottery-funded scholarships to reward any Florida high school graduate who merits recognition for high academic achievement and who enrolls in an eligible Florida public or private postsecondary educational institution within three years of high school graduation. The Bright Futures Scholarship Program is the umbrella program for all State-funded scholarships based on academic achievement in high school. This program includes the:

  1. Florida Academic Scholars Award
  2. Florida Merit Scholars Award
  3. Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award

The criteria for the three awards has been set forth by the Florida Department of Education. Each award has specific criteria that must be met. However, to be considered for any of these programs the following initial criteria must be fulfilled:

  1. Be a Florida Resident
  2. Earn a standard high school diploma or its equivalent from a public or private high school, or complete a home education program.
  3. Be accepted by and enrolled in an eligible Florida public or independent post secondary education institution.
  4. Be enrolled in the postsecondary institution for at least six (6) semester hours or the equivalent.
  5. Not have been found guilty of a felony charge.
  6. Complete a Student Authorization Form by spring graduation.
  7. Use the award within three years of graduation.

There are four ways to qualify for an award:

  1. Be recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program or the National Achievement Scholarship Program as a National Merit/National Achievement scholar or finalist. (Florida Academic Scholar)
  2. 3.5 weighted Grade point average* on 15 BOR academic core Courses**; 1270 SAT or 28 ACT; 75 community service hours. (Florida Academic Scholar)
  3. 3.0 weighted Grade point average* on 15 BOR academic core courses; 970 SAT or 20 ACT; No community service hours. (Florida Merit Scholar)
  4. 3.0 Weighted Grade point average* on 15 credits required for graduation***; 3.5 Grade point average in vocational program courses; SAT-Verbal=420, Math=440 or ACT- Reading=16, English=16, Math=16 or CPT-Reading=83, English=83, Algebra=72; No community service hours.

(Florida Gold Seal Scholars) See additional information *Weighted GPA = .5 additional point per course. This is per the State of Florida Department of Education.

 

Florida Gold Seal

This renewable scholarship may be used at a Florida public university, community college, area vocational center, or accredited private post secondary vocational, technical, trade or business school. In addition to the academic GPA requirement, a student must be a "completer" in a vocational job preparatory program consisting of a minimum of three credits and have at least a 3.5 un-weighted GPA in courses taken in the job preparatory program

Florida Academic Scholar Award = 100% tuition +$600 stipend

Renewal College GPA = 3.0

Florida Merit & Gold Seal Awards = 75% tuition

Renewal College GPA=2.75