What's New

• Florida Legislative Session 2011 Updates and Legislative History
• Eligibility and Award Information by High School Graduation Year

Student Quick Links

• View Student Financial Aid History
• 2010-11 High School Graduates
• 2010-11 High School Graduates Renewal Info
• 2009-10 High School Graduates
• 2008-09 High School Graduates and Earlier
• First-Time Applicants
• Initially Awarded Student Information Page
• Renewal Students
• Required Hours for Renewal
• Eligible Colleges and Schools
• Award Amounts
• Summer Funding
• Frequently Asked Questions

Administrator Quick Links

• High School Guidance Counselors
• Resources for Postsecondary Institutions
• Comprehensive Course Table

How and When to Apply

Students must apply during their last year in high school (after December 1 and prior to graduation) or forfeit all future eligibility for a Bright Futures Scholarship.

• A student who receives a Bright Futures award and attends an out-of-state postsecondary institution and then returns to Florida to complete his/her education may apply for and receive reinstatement funding within three years from the student’s high school graduation date.
• An initially eligible student who enlists in the United States Armed Forces immediately after high school graduation will begin the three-year eligibility period for his/her initial award upon the date of separation from active duty.
• In order to receive funding for a Florida Bright Futures award, a student must be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.  The postsecondary institution the student attends is responsible for making residency and citizenship determinations.

Note: Eligible students may only receive Bright Futures award funding at eligible Florida postsecondary institutions.

To Be Considered for a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship a Student Must:

1. Apply for a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship by completing the Initial Student Florida Financial Aid
   Application (FFAA)* during his/her last year in high school prior to graduation.  A student may apply online at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org beginning December 1st of his/her last year in high school.  This application gives the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) permission to evaluate his/her high school transcripts for eligibility for a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship.

2. Not have been found guilty of, or plead nolo contendere to, a felony charge.



3. Meet Academic Requirements for the award.



4. NEW - The submission of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now an annual requirement for Bright Futures eligibility.  Note:  The student’s FAFSA does not have to indicate need; however, must be complete and processed error free prior to a student’s first disbursement of an award.  (The Florida State Programs May 15 deadline does not apply to Bright Futures.)  Visit the website at www.fafsa.ed.gov for online processing.

Activate your User ID and PIN - Know it, Use it, Be Responsible for your state financial aid!

FFAA applicants will receive a User ID and PIN for the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) website.  A student will access the OSFA Web site at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org to monitor the status of his/her Initial Student Florida Financial Aid Application.  It is the student's responsibility to check the status of his/her application and award.  It is also the student's responsibility to inform us of any changes.  Call toll-free at 1-888-827-2004 with questions.