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First, before anything else, tell the State of Florida that you will be attending Polk Community College. If you haven't yet done that, call them right away. Our State of Florida school code is 532.

Second, it is normal to feel a bit confused. There are actually three separate scholarships that are covered by the Bright Futures' program. You'll need to know the difference. More important is to know exactly what scholarship you have. Your official letter from the State of Florida Department of Education will tell you exactly which program covers your school tuition. There are different benefits and different requirements. You can link to the Bright Future web site for the most up-to-date information.

Third, expect that your parents will be very interested in the scholarship and the details. This is good because you know you have their support. It is also tempting to let them keep track of your scholarship. Resist the temptation! YOU are the one responsible for managing this scholarship. If you find you don't care or aren't interested about the $7,000 - $10,000 value of your scholarship, then talk to your academic counselor. Maybe it would be wise to take a break from school or adapt a special schedule. Students who don't care certainly place these scholarships at risk. The Bright Future Scholarship is a most important asset. Your scholarship has potential of changing your life and making a college education an attainable goal.

Fourth, expect us to spend time with you and your parents as we help you gain control of your Bright Future scholarship. We are skillful in assisting with this transition. We deal with many parents and families. Carefully we encourage the students to "tune in" and the parents to trust that their son or daughter will take responsibility for the specific rules. We trust you and will help your parents understand that YOU are now in control. If you seem unwilling to get involved, we will remind you of the importance of this accomplishment.

Fifth, if your parents aren't very interested, don't be discouraged. Immediately, take control of the scholarship. Read the rules and know what it will take to maintain your scholarship. The web is the most accurate and best source of information. Your friends can "talk through" the scholarship, but remember they may be wrong about their interpretation. You are not alone. There are good sources of accurate information that will help you understand and prepare for taking full advantage of the scholarship. We can assist you in finding out what you need to know.

Sixth, expect to lose your scholarship if you violate the grade point or attendance rules. If you do lose the scholarship, it is normal to want to "blame someone else"... we do understand. But we won't accept the blame. We are very careful to explain the scholarship in terms of your responsibilities. We stress the importance of obtaining correct and accurate information. Sometimes it make students and parents angry, but we are not the source for detailing the rules. If you should lose the scholarship, it can be regained. Regaining the scholarship is difficult and frustrating. There are a series of steps required...and you'll be responsible for working through those details.

Seventh, be prepared for changes in procedure at PCC regarding administration of the Bright Future Scholarships. We are looking for the easiest way to apply your scholarship to your account and proceed on with registration. Be sure to check the web for the most up-to-date information regarding our program of administration. With the introduction of web registration we feel it is especially important to expedite your scholarship information. And remember, if you haven't told the State of Florida you will be a Polk Community College student, it will be impossible to activate your scholarship.