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Bright Futures

Florida Bright Futures

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program is a scholarship program, funded by the Florida Lottery, to reward Florida high school graduates for high academic achievement. Florida Academic scholars are eligible to receive an award amount equal to 100% of tuition and mandatory or applicable fees. Applicable fees could include activity and service, health, athletic, financial aid, capital improvement, campus access/transportation, technology and tuition differential fees. 

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive one of the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Awards a student must:

  • Be a Florida resident.
  • Earn a standard high school diploma.
  • Be accepted and enrolled in an eligible Florida public/private post-secondary school.
  • Enroll for at least six semester credit hours.
  • Complete community service or paid work hours.
  • Not have been found guilty of a felony.
  • Complete an error-free Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) – Note: this application is DIFFERENT than the FAFSA. 
    • Students are eligible to apply for Bright Futures by completing the FFAA starting October 1 of their SENIOR year)

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The 4 Bright Futures Scholarships

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Students can check their Bright Futures eligibility and progress from their “Bright Futures Report” available from their Counselor or Ms. Maroth in the College and Career Center ( by appointment or during A and B Lunch).

    Download the eligibility requirements:

  • Students apply for Bright Futures using the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) starting October 1 of their SENIOR year. Download “FFAA: How to Apply” Instructions

    • Do NOT apply before your Senior year.
    • Seniors should make sure to screenshot or write down their login information when completing the FFAA.
    • Need help recovering login information? Contact the Florida Department of Education:

     

  • To ensure the Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance obtains official test scores:

    • Ensure demographics on your test registration and high school transcript match;
    • Request your official single sitting test scores be sent to one of Florida’s public colleges or state universities when registering for the ACT® , CLT® , or SAT® .
      • Note: Students can request single sitting ACT® or CLT® test scores be sent directly to Bright Futures using CEEB code 0095 while on the ACT® or CLT® websites.

    • The FFAA opens on October 1 each school year.

  • The Bright Futures Scholarship program includes 2 pathways to qualify for the award without needing SAT, ACT, or CLT scores; the AICE Diploma and the AP Capstone Diploma.

    AP Capstone Diploma

    The Bright Futures Scholarship program now includes the AP Capstone Diploma as a pathway to the Florida Academic Scholars award. Starting with the Class of 2026, students who earn the AP Capstone Diploma can qualify for the scholarship without needing SAT, ACT, or CLT scores. 

    This change was enacted through Florida HB 1105. 

    AICE Diploma

    Complete a minimum of 14 AICE credits* identified by the Cambridge Assessment International Education (Cambridge International) in the Diploma Core and three academic areas as follows: 

    • AICE Diploma Core – AICE Global Perspectives & Research AS level (Two Credits required)
    • Group 1 – Mathematics and Sciences (Two Credits required)
    • Group 2 – Languages (Two Credits required)
    • Group 3 – Arts and Humanities (Two Credits required)
    • Group 4 – Interdisciplinary Skills (Optional – Four Credits maximum)
    • Six additional credits required in any combination from the above four groups.

    *Students earn one credit by completing and passing one AICE full credit course and another credit for taking the corresponding AICE examination.

    *National Merit Finalists and Scholars, and/or National Hispanic Recognition Program recipients (awarded by College Board) are eligible to receive the Bright Futures award without needing an SAT, ACT, CLT score. Consult the Bright Futures Student Handbook for details. 

  • The Bright Futures Scholarship can be used at eligible Florida public and private post secondary institutions.

    A list of eligible postsecondary institutions is available for viewing on the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA).

  • The Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) will receive an award to cover 100% of tuition and applicable fees when attending a public postsecondary institution. Students attending a nonpublic institution will receive a comparable amount as noted in the Private Award Chart. FAS students can receive an award during the summer sessions to cover tuition and applicable fees.

     

    The Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) will receive an award to cover 75% of tuition and applicable fees when attending a public postsecondary institution. Students attending a nonpublic institution will receive a comparable amount as noted in the Private Award Chart. FMS students can receive an award during the summer sessions to cover tuition and applicable fees.

     

    *Note: Beginning in fall 2021, students enrolled in an associate degree program at a Florida College System institution will receive an award to cover 100% of tuition and applicable fees. 

    The applicable fees for both FAS and FMS recipients include the activity and service fee, health fee, athletic fee, financial aid fee, capital improvement fee, campus access/transportation fee, technology fee, and tuition differential fee.

  • Yes. A student can lose their Bright Futures Scholarship award if they do not meet, and continue to meet, the renewal eligibility requirements. 

    Please consult the Bright Futures Student Handbook for “Renewal Requirements” and “Reinstatement/Restoration Requirements.”

  • No. The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship can only be used at in state public and eligible private colleges and universities. 

    • Bright Futures scholarship awards can be used at eligible Florida private colleges and universities. Please consult the Private Award Amounts chart to determine applicable award amounts.
    • Students should contact the school’s financial aid office for additional details. 

  • Students should submit a Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) starting October 1 of their SENIOR year and submit no later than August 31 after high school graduation.

    Apply Here

    Download the FFAA: How To Apply Instructions