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Initial Eligibility Requirements For 2010 High School Graduates

NEW – See What's New for program changes.

Note: 

  • A student graduating from high school during the 2009-10 academic year and applying for state aid for the 2010-11 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 public or FDOE-registered private high school.

 

Click on Section Titles for Additional Information
Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award
Institutional fees are not included in the award. Public and Private Institutions -

All students will receive the specified (cost per credit hour) award amounts established by the Florida Legislature in the General Appropriations Act.  Award amounts for the 2010-11 academic year will be available in summer 2010 after the legislative session.

For current year award amounts visit: www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org/SSFAD/bf/awardamt.htm

Grade Point Average (GPA)
Weighted for more challenging, higher level courses is prescribed by law as .50 per course per year
3.0 weighted GPA using the 15.5 core credits required for high school graduation with a 4-year diploma (listed below), and a 3.5 unweighted GPA in a minimum of three vocational credits in one vocational program, and test scores listed below.

(See "Other Ways to Qualify" for 3-year graduation options.)

(Note: GPAs are not rounded.)
Required Credits
See the Comprehensive Course Table to identify courses that count toward each award level
Credits must be in the 15.5 core credits required for high school graduation with a 4-year diploma.

4-year Diploma
Credits must include the 15.5 core credits required for high school graduation.
  •      4 English
  •      3 Mathematics* (including Algebra I)
  •      3 Natural Science
  •      3 Social Science (Am. Hist., World Hist., Am. Govt. and Economics)
  •      1 Practical Arts;  OR 1 Performing Arts;  OR .5 credit in each
  •       .5 Life Management Skills*
  •       .5 Personal Fitness
  •       .5 Physical Education
    15.5* Credits

Plus a minimum of three Vocational Job-Preparatory or Technology Education Program credits in one vocational program.

* 2011 and future graduates must earn 4 credits of Mathematics and no Life Management Skills for a total of 16 core credits.

Community Service No requirement
Test Scores Students must earn the minimum score on each section of either the CPT or SAT or ACT.  Composite scores are not accepted.  A student must qualify on the ACT alone, the SAT alone, or the CPT alone.  Test types cannot be combined.
 
  • CPT:
Reading
Sentence Skills
Algebra
  83
  83
  72
OR
Critical Reading
Math
440
440
OR
English
Reading
Math
  17
  18
  19
  • For spring eligibility evaluations, test dates through January 31 will be admissible
  • For summer eligibility evaluations, test dates through June 30 will be admissible
  • Sections of the SAT, ACT, or CPT from different test dates may be used to meet the test criteria
Other Ways to Qualify The other ways to qualify listed below must also include a 3.5 unweighted GPA in a minimum of three vocational credits in one vocational program and minimum test scores listed above
  • 3-year Career Preparatory Diploma ** with a 3.0 weighted GPA using the 13 core credits required for graduation listed below

      4 English (3 with substantial writing)
      3 Mathematics (including Algebra I)
      3 Natural Science (2 with substantial lab)
      3 Social Science (Am. Hist., World Hist., Am. Govt., and Economics)
    13 credits
  • 3-year College Preparatory Diploma with 3.0 weighted GPA using the 15 core credits required for graduation listed below

      4 English (3 with substantial writing)
      3 Mathematics (Algebra I and above)
      3 Natural Science (2 with substantial lab)
      3 Social Science (Am. Hist., World Hist., Am. Govt., and Economics)
      2 Foreign Language (in the same language)
    15 credits


  • GED with 3.0 weighted GPA using the core credits required for your selected high school graduation option (standard, career, or college)

    **Note:
    For diploma options established by legislative sessions, visit https://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ssfad/bf/acadrequire.htm


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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