Bright Futures

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Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS)

Award Level

-A student may receive funding for only one award. The highest award earned by the student will be selected.
-Amounts will differ at quarter or clock hour institutions.
-Public Institution: 100% of tuition and fees (including lab fees up to $300 per semester*) Plus $300 per semester* for college-related expenses (excluding summer term) prorated by term and hours
-Private Institution: Fixed award amount based on 100% of the average tuition and fees covered at a comparable Florida public institution including the $300 per semester* provided for college-related expenses prorated by term and hours

Grade Point Average (GPA)

-Weighting for more challenging higher level courses is prescribed by law as .25 per course per semester or .50 per course per year. 3.5 weighted GPA using the credits listed below, combined with the test scores and community service hours listed below
Note: GPAs are not rounded

Required Credits

-See the Comprehensive Course Table on the Bright Futures Web Site 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 1 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 4 additional credits from courses in the academic areas listed above and/or AP or IB fine arts courses to raise the GPA

Community Service

-75 hours, as approved by the district or private school

Test Scores

-Subsections of the SAT, ACT, or CPT from different test dates may be used to meet the test criteria.
-For spring eligibility evaluations, test dates through the end of January will be admissible.
-For summer eligibility evaluations, test dates through the end of June will be admissible.
-Best composite score of 1270 SAT or 28 ACT

Other Ways to qualify

-Initial eligibility criteria used in "Other Ways to Qualify" must be met by high school graduation.
- Contact the Bright Futures office for further details.
-The other ways to qualify listed below must also meet the community service hours requirement
-National Merit or Achievement Scholars and Finalists
-National Hispanic Scholars
-IB Diploma Recipients
-Students who have completed the IB Curriculum with best composite score of 1270 SAT or 28 ACT
-Students who have attended home education program according to s.232.02(4), F.S., registered with the district during grades 11 and 12, with best composite score of 1270 SAT or 28 ACT
-GED with best composite score of 1270 SAT or 28 ACT and a 3.5 weighted GPA in the above 15 required credits
-Early Admissions with best composite score of 1270 SAT or 28 ACT and a 3.5 weighted GPA in curriculum courses completed

Florida Medallion Scholars Award (FMS)

Award Level

-A student may receive funding for only one award. The highest award earned by the student will be selected.
-Amounts will differ at quarter or clock hour institutions.
-Public Institution - 75% of tuition and fees (including lab fees up to $300 per semester*)
-Private Institution - Fixed award amount based on 75% of the average tuition and fees covered at a comparable Florida public institution prorated by term and hours

Grade Point Average (GPA)

-Weighting for more challenging higher level courses is prescribed by law as .25 per course per semester or .50 per course per year. 3.0 weighted GPA using the credits listed below combined with the test score listed below.
Note: GPA's are not rounded

Required Credits

-See the Comprehensive Course Table on the Bright Futures Web Site to identify courses that count toward each award level. Credits must be the 15.5 core credits required for high school graduation
4 English
3 Mathematics
3 Natural Sciences
3 Social Science (Am. History, World History, American Gov't, Economics)
1 Practical Arts OR 1 Performing Arts OR 1/2 credit in each
1/2 Life Management Skills
1/2 Personal Fitness
1/2 Physical Education
Plus a minimum of 3 Vocational Job-Preparatory or Technology Education Program credits in one vocational program

Community Service

-No requirement

Test Scores
-Subsections of the SAT, ACT, or CPT from different test dates may be used to meet the test criteria.
- For spring eligibility evaluations, test dates through the end of January will be admissible.
-For summer eligibility evaluations, test dates through the end of June will be admissible.
-Best composite score of 970 SAT or 20 ACT

Other Ways to qualify

must be met by high school graduation.
-Contact the Bright Futures office for further details.
-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 of 970 SAT or 20 ACT
-Students who attended a home education program according to s. 232.02 (4), F.S. registered with the district during grades 11 and 12, and have a best composite score of 1070 SAT or 23 ACT
-GED with best composite score of 970 SAT or 20 ACT and a 3.0 weighted GPA in the above 15 required credits
Early Admissions with best composite score of 970 SAT or 20 ACT and a 3.0 weighted GPA in curriculum courses completed.

Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award (GSV)