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Initial Eligibility Requirements For 2009 High School Graduates

NEW – See What's New for education allowance changes as of January 1, 2008.

Note: 

  • A student graduating from high school during the 2008-09 academic year and applying for state aid for the 2009-10 academic year must apply for a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship after December 1 and prior to high school graduation.  To apply a student must submit a completed Initial Student Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) during the last year in high school by visiting www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org and selecting "State Grants, Scholarships and Applications," then "Apply Here."
  • A student may receive funding for only one award (Florida Academic Scholars, Florida Medallion Scholars, or Gold Seal Vocational Scholars).  The highest award earned by the student will be selected.
  • Initial eligibility requirements must be met prior to high school graduation from a Florida high school.

 

Click on Section Titles for Additional Information
Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) Award
*Fees included in the cost per credit hour unless otherwise prohibited by Florida Statutes:
  • Access and Transportation
  • Activity and Service
  • Athletic
  • Building
  • Capital Improvement
  • Financial Aid
  • Health
  • Technology


Public Community College - An award equal to 100% of tuition and allowable fees* for college credit courses leading to an associate degree.



Other Public Institutions - An award equal to 75% of tuition and allowable fees.*



Private Institution - Fixed award amount based on 75% of the average tuition and allowable fees covered at a comparable Florida public institution (excluding summer term) prorated by term and hours.

Grade Point Average (GPA)
Weighting for more challenging, higher level courses is prescribed by law as .50 per course per year
3.0 weighted GPA using the credits and test score listed below.

(Note: GPAs are not rounded.)
Required Credits
See the Comprehensive Course Table to identify courses that count toward each award level.
Courses must include 15 credits of college preparatory academic courses.
  •   4 English (3 with substantial writing)
  •   3 Mathematics (Algebra I and above)
  •   3 Natural Science (2 with substantial lab)
  •   3 Social Science
  •   2 Foreign Language (in the same language)
    15 Credits

  • May use up to three additional credits from courses in the academic areas listed above as well as AP, or IB, or AICE fine arts courses to raise the GPA

Community Service No requirement
Test Scores
  • Best composite score of 970 SAT Reasoning Test  (based on the combined Critical Reading and Math sections only) or 20 ACT (excluding the writing section)
  • The new writing sections for both the SAT and ACT will not be used in the composite
  • SAT Subject Tests exams are not used for Bright Futures eligibility
  • ACT scores are rounded up for scores with .5 and higher; SAT scores do not require rounding
  • Subsections of the SAT or ACT from different test dates may be used to meet the test criteria
  • For spring eligibility evaluations, test dates through January 31 will be admissible
  • For summer eligibility evaluations, test dates through June 30 will be admissible
Other Ways to Qualify
  • National Merit or Achievement Scholars and Finalists and National Hispanic Scholars who have not completed 75 hours of community service
  • Students who have completed the IB Curriculum with best composite score of 970 SAT or 20 ACT
  • AICE Diploma Recipients who have not completed 75 hours of community service
  • Students who have completed the AICE Curriculum with best composite score of 970 SAT or 20 ACT
  • Students who have attended a home education program according to s. 1002.41, F.S., registered with the district during grades 11 and 12, and:
    • Have a best combined score of 1070 SAT or 23 ACT
    • Or

    • Have a best combined score of 970 SAT or 20 ACT with a weighted 3.0 GPA in the above 15 required credits (documented through Florida public, FDOE-registered private, FLVS or dual enrollment transcripts)
  • GED with best composite score of 970 SAT or 20 ACT and a 3.0 weighted GPA in the above 15 required credits
  • 3-year standard college preparatory program with best composite score of 970 SAT or 20 ACT and a 3.0 weighted GPA in the above 15 required credits


For information regarding Bright Futures requirements, please contact the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program toll-free at 1-888-827-2004.

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