The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship is a merit-based award based on academic achievement in high school. Students at the University of Central Florida can receive either the Florida Academic Scholars Award or the Florida Medallion Scholars Award.
The Bright Futures scholarship program provides an incredible opportunity for Florida residents to earn a full college scholarship. However, in addition to being a high-paying opportunity, it is highly competitive and has stringent requirements. The requirements outlined in the Bright Futures manual can be daunting, and students may be discouraged from applying.
In this article, you will learn about the Bright Futures scholarship requirements, Academic Scholars, Medallion Scholars, Gold Seal CAPE Scholars, and Gold Seal Vocational Scholars programs.
Table of Contents
General Requirements for all Bright Futures Scholarships
Each Bright Futures scholarship program has its own set of requirements, but there are some that they all have in common. The following are the general requirements for participating in any Bright Futures program:
- You must be a Florida resident and either a US citizen or an eligible noncitizen. You are eligible regardless of where your parents live as long as you are a Florida resident.
- Earn a diploma from a Florida high school or an equivalent high school. This diploma can be obtained from a public high school or a certified private high school.
- Be enrolled in, or planning to enroll in, at least six credit hours per semester.
- Complete the Florida Financial Aid Application by August 31, your graduation year.
- Enroll in a postsecondary education program in Florida.
- Not have a felony conviction.
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Types of Bright Futures Scholarship Programs
The following Is an overview of the different Bright Futures scholarship programs as well as the award amounts and educational tracks they’re intended for. Once you’ve determined which programs are a good fit for you, keep reading to learn about the requirements for each.
Academic Scholars
The Florida Academic Scholars program provides 100% of funding for a public program of study. This includes all applicable tuition and fees. Students who choose a private institution will receive a comparable award, but it may not cover the entire cost. Winners also receive $300 per semester for additional educational costs. This is the most competitive Bright Futures program and has the highest requirements.
Medallion Scholars
The Florida Medallion Scholars program covers 75% of the cost of a public study program. 75% of all relevant tuition and fees are included. Private school students will receive a similar award, though it may not cover the full 75%. This is a less competitive program than the Florida Academic Scholars program. So, even if you don’t qualify for Florida Academic Scholars, you might be able to cover 75% of your expenses.
Gold Seal CAPE Scholars
The Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars program pays a set amount per credit hour, which varies depending on the program of study. The program is intended for students who already have an Associate’s Degree and want to pursue a Bachelor’s. This program is less competitive than the Florida Medallion Scholars program. It has less stringent GPA, and tests score requirements.
Gold Seal Vocational Scholars
The Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars program pays a set amount per credit hour, which varies depending on the program of study. This program is intended for students working toward a certificate or a vocational degree. Its GPA and test score requirements are lower than those of Florida Medallion Scholars and Florida Academic Scholars.
Specific Bright Futures Scholarship Program Requirements
Let’s now review the requirement for each program. You can use this information to determine which prize you have the best chance of winning.
Florida Academic Scholars
Florida Academic Scholars must have a minimum weighted GPA of 3.5. They must also have a minimum ACT score of 29 or SAT score of 1330. They must also complete at least 100 hours of community service. In addition, students must have finalized a set of high school curriculum requirements. These requirements are consistent with the admission requirements of the state university system.
Florida Medallion ScholarsÂ
Medallion Scholars must have a minimum weighted GPA of 3.0. They must also have a minimum ACT score of 25 or an SAT score of 1210. They must also complete a minimum of 75 hours of community service.
Florida Gold Seal CAPE ScholarsÂ
Students must pursue a diploma in applied technology, an associate’s degree in applied science, an associate’s degree in science, or a career certificate. Students with an associate’s degree can receive funding for up to 60 hours toward a Bachelor’s degree. To receive the award, they must complete at least 30 hours of community service.
Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars
Eligible students are those who meet the general Bright Futures scholarship requirements and are currently enrolled in a career education or certificate program. High school students who plan to enroll in a career education or certificate program must meet the following criteria:
- A minimum weighted GPA of 3.0 in non-elective high school courses is required.
- Enroll in at least three credits of a single career and technical education program.
- A minimum weighted GPA of 3.5 in career education courses is required.
- Complete at least 30 hours of community service.
Conclusion
There are numerous ways to improve your chances of receiving a Bright Futures scholarship. You can begin by ensuring that your test scores and GPA are as high as possible. You can improve your test scores by choosing between the SAT and the ACT. It is also critical to select the best tutor and choose the most appropriate time to take these tests.
You should also complete the Florida Financial Aid Application before the deadline. Remember, the deadline is August 31 of the year you graduate.
Look for other scholarships and apply everywhere! The more scholarships you apply for, the more likely you are to get one.