How to be Reinstated

An eligible student who did not receive funding during the previous academic year and would now like to apply for scholarship funding is a reinstating student.

• NEW - If a student did not receive award funding in the academic year following his/her graduation from high school, the student must apply to reinstate the award and receive funding within two or three years of high school graduation (depending on the student’s year of high school graduation).  See Bright Futures Scholarship Length.
• Students graduating from high school in the 2009-10 academic year and earlier - Once a student has received funding for a minimum of one term, he/she is eligible to apply for reinstatement up to seven years from high school graduation.
• Students graduating from high school in the 2010-11 academic year and thereafter - Once a student has received funding for a minimum of one term, he/she is eligible to apply for reinstatement up to five years from high school graduation.

To Apply for Reinstatement:

• A student must complete a Reinstatement/Restoration Application available on the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) website or use the direct link above.  Please note that the academic year for which a student is applying is at the top of the application.  New applications are available in February each year.
• NEW - If a student did not receive award funding in the academic year following his/her graduation from high school, the student must apply to reinstate the award and receive funding within two or three years of high school graduation (depending on the student’s year of high school graduation).  See Bright Futures Scholarship Length.
• Students graduating from high school in the 2009-10 academic year and earlier - Once a student has received funding for a minimum of one term, he/she is eligible to apply for reinstatement up to seven years from high school graduation.
• Students graduating from high school in the 2010-11 academic year and thereafter - Once a student has received funding for a minimum of one term, he/she is eligible to apply for reinstatement up to five years from high school graduation.
• The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) recommends that applications be submitted by July 1 for a timely fall disbursement or by December 15 for a timely spring disbursement.
• If determined eligible for reinstatement, the student will receive the Bright Futures award (Florida Academic Scholars, Florida Medallion Scholars, or Gold Seal Vocational Scholars) for which he/she was last eligible prior to reinstatement.

Students Who Enlist in the Military – students graduating from high school in the 2012-13 academic year and thereafter

• An initially eligible student who enlists in the United States Armed Forces immediately after high school graduation must (within two years after separation from active duty):
  • complete and submit a Reinstatement/Restoration Application online and
  • submit an official copy of the DD Form 214 via U.S. mail to verify time served in the military.
• A student who is receiving a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship and discontinues his/her education to enlist in the United States Armed Forces must commence the remainder of his/her five-year renewal period upon the date of separation from active duty.  To reinstate the scholarship, the student must:
  • complete and submit a Reinstatement/Restoration Application online and
  • submit an official copy of the DD Form 214 via U.S. mail to verify time served in the military.

Students Who Enlist in the Military – students graduating from high school in the 2010-11 academic year and 2011-12 academic year

• An initially eligible student who enlists in the United States Armed Forces immediately after high school graduation must (within three years after separation from active duty):
  • complete and submit a Reinstatement/Restoration Application online and
  • submit an official copy of the DD Form 214 via U.S. mail to verify time served in the military.
• A student who is receiving a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship and discontinues his/her education to enlist in the United States Armed Forces must commence the remainder of his/her five-year renewal period upon the date of separation from active duty.  To reinstate the scholarship, the student must:
  • complete and submit a Reinstatement/Restoration Application online and
  • submit an official copy of the DD Form 214 via U.S. mail to verify time served in the military.

Students Who Enlist in the Military – students graduating from high school in the 2009-10 academic year or earlier

• An initially eligible student who enlists in the United States Armed Forces immediately after high school graduation must (within three years after separation from active duty):
  • request reinstatement by completing and submitting a Reinstatement/Restoration Application online and
  • submit an official copy of the DD Form 214 via U.S. mail to verify time served in the military.
• A student who is receiving a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship and discontinues his/her education to enlist in the United States Armed Forces must commence the remainder of his/her seven-year renewal period upon the date of separation from active duty.  To reinstate the scholarship, he/she must:
  • complete and submit a Reinstatement/Restoration Application online and
  • submit an official copy of the DD Form 214 via U.S. mail to verify time served in the military.