Bright Futures Information Page

CHS College & Career Office

Florida Bright Futures Information

Please take time to fully read all the information below.

The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program has helped more than 500,000 Florida students attend a postsecondary institution. The program offers three levels of scholarship awards – the Florida Academic Scholars award (FAS), the Florida Medallion Scholars award (FMS), and the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award (GSV).

Student Responsibilities: It is the student’s responsibility to know and meet the requirements of the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program before high school graduation and throughout your college career. To learn more about these requirements go to www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org.

Class of 2021 seniors can begin to apply for Florida Bright Futures Scholarship beginning October 01, 2020. To apply for a Bright Futures Scholarship, students must submit a completed, error-free Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) during your last year in high school (after October 1 and prior to August 31 after high school graduation). You must apply during your last year in high school, before graduation, or you will forfeit all future eligibility for a Bright Futures Scholarship. To apply online, visit www.FloridaStudentFinancialAidsg.org, select “Create a Student Account” under “First-Time Applicants”.  The application gives the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) permission to evaluate your high school transcript and test scores for eligibility for state scholarships and grants, including a Bright Futures Scholarship. You may apply prior to meeting all requirements.

After submitting the FFAA, the student is responsible for tracking application and award status online and keeping the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) informed of any demographic or institutional changes.  CHS Guidance Department will automatically submit all student transcripts directly to Bright Futures for evaluation.

Bright Futures Student Handbook

2020-2021 Florida Financial Aid Application Reference Guide

Navigating Your Financial Future August-September 2020 updated

Navigating Your Financial Future October-November 2020-updated October 2020

Financial_Aid_Overview 20-21-updated

Bright Futures Initial Eligibility 2020-2021-Updated

General Bright Futures Eligibility:

Be a Florida resident and U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen as determined by your postsecondary institution.
  • Enroll in an eligible Florida public or private postsecondary institution.
  • Enroll in a minimum of 6 hours per term (or the equivalent)
  • If not funded in the academic year immediately following high school graduation, apply within five years of high school graduation to have your award reinstated (must still apply during senior year of HS)
  • Must not be found guilty of, or plead no contest to, a felony charge.
  • Must apply during your last year in high school – Application opens October 1st, 2020
Florida Academic Scholarship eligibility:
  • 3.5 Weighted GPA
  • 16 credits of college prep courses – English, Math, Science, SS, and World Language
  • 100 hours of community service
  • 1330 minimum SAT score (reading/writing & math only no Essay) or29 minimum composite ACT Score (without Writing)
FAS currently pays 100% tuition and fees at a Florida public university (comparative amount to be awarded to a Florida Private University) and also awards students $300 education expense per semester.  

Florida Medallion Scholarship eligibility:

  • 3.0 Weighted GPA
  • 16 credits of college prep courses – English, Math, Science, SS, and World Languages
  • 75 hours of community service
  • 1210 minimum SAT score (reading/writing & math only – No Essay) or25 minimum composite ACT Score (without Writing)

FMS currently pays 75% tuition and fees at a Florida public university (comparative amount to be awarded to a Florida Private University).

Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars eligibility: 

  • 3.0 or higher weighted GPA in non-elective high school courses
  • 3 full credits in a single Career and Technical Education Program and earn a 3.5 or higher unweighted GPA in these courses
  • 30 hours of community service
  • Achieve qualifying test score requirements: ACT – English: 17, Reading: 19 and Math: 19  orSAT (March 2016 and thereafter) Reading: 24, Writing: 25 and Math: 24  or PERT – Reading: 106, Writing: 103 and Math: 114

Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholarship eligibility:

  • Earn a minimum of five postsecondary credit hours through CAPE Industry Certifications which articulate for college credit
  • Complete at least 30 hours of service work approved by the district school board
Please note that Gold Seal Scholarship funds can only be used at one of the following programs:
  • Career Certification Program (PSAV)
  • Applied Technology Diploma Program (ATD)
  • Technical Degree Education Program – AS, AAS, or CCC