The Bright Futures scholarship program provides an excellent chance for Floridians to receive college funding. However, in addition to being a lucrative opportunity, it is extremely competitive and has stringent criteria.

The standards listed in the Bright Futures guidebook can be onerous, discouraging kids from applying. So, we’ve done the hard work for you by making the requirements more readable! Read on to discover more about the Bright Futures scholarship requirements.

Requirements for all Bright Futures scholarship program

Each Bright Futures scholarships program has its own set of standards, but there are a few commonalities. Here are the eligibility conditions for any Bright Futures program. You must:

• Be a resident of Florida and a US citizen or eligible noncitizen. Regardless matter where your parents live, as long as you live in Florida, you are eligible.
• Earn a diploma from a Florida high school or its equivalent. You can obtain this diploma from a public or certified private high school.
• Be enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester.
• Complete the Florida Financial Aid Application by August 31 of your graduating year.
• Enroll in a postsecondary program in the state of Florida.
• Not have been convicted of a felony.

Differences between the Bright Futures programs

Congratulations if you have met all of the conditions given above! You might be in the running for a Bright Futures scholarship. The next phase will be to present an overview of each Bright Futures initiative. We’ll show you the reward amounts and the educational tracks for which they are intended. Once you’ve identified the programs that are a good fit for you, go on to discover more about their criteria. Related Top 10 scholarships for college students

Florida Academic Scholars (FAS)

The Florida Academic Scholars program provides full financing for a public program of study. This includes all applicable tuition and fees. Students who attend a private college will receive an equivalent grant, however it may not pay the entire cost. Winners additionally earn $300 per semester to cover additional educational expenses. This is the most competitive Bright Futures program, with the toughest prerequisites.

Overview of the FAS requirements (2025-26 graduates)

• 3.5 weighted high school GPA
• 29+ ACT score
• 95+ CLT score
• 1330+ SAT score
• 100 hours of volunteer service hours
• 100 hours of paid work hours
• Students must earn the required volunteer service hours, work hours or a combination that totals a minimum of 100 hours

Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS)

The Florida Medallion Scholars program funds 75% of a public program of study. This covers 75 percent of all relevant tuition and fees. Students who pick a private college will receive an equivalent reward, however it may not pay the full 75%. This program is less competitive than the Florida Academic Scholars Program. If you do not qualify for Florida Academic Scholars, you may still be able to cover 75% of your expenses.

Quick overview of the FMS requirements (2025-26 graduates)

• 3.0 weighted high school GPA
• 24+ ACT
• 82+ CLT score
• 1190+ SAT score
• 75 hours of volunteer service hours
• 100 hours of paid work hours
• Students must earn the required volunteer service hours, work hours or a combination that totals a minimum of 100 hours

Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars (GSC)

The Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars program provides a fixed payment per credit hour which varies with program of study. The program is designed for students who already received an associate’s degree and are seeking a bachelor’s. This program is less competitive than Florida Medallion Scholars and Florida Medallion Scholars. Its GPA and test score requirements are less strict.

Florida Academic Scholars (FAS)

Florida Academic Scholars must hold a minimum 3.5 weighted GPA. Additionally, they must obtain a minimum score of 29 on the ACT, a 95 on the CLT (Classic Learning Test), or 1330 on the SAT. They must also complete at least 100 service hours or 100 paid work hours.

Students must also have completed a set of high school coursework requirements. However, these requirements align with the state university system admission requirements. As a result, any student considered for admission at a Florida school would meet these requirements.

Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars (GSC)

Students must be enrolled in an applied technology diploma, an associate’s degree in applied science or science, or a career certificate program. If students already hold an associate’s degree, they can receive financing for up to 60 hours toward a bachelor’s degree. Florida high school students who want to apply for the GSC must complete the following requirements:

• Earn at least 5 postsecondary credit hours through CAPE industry certifications that are articulated for college credit.
• Complete 30 volunteer service hours, 100 paid labor hours, or a total of 100 hours.

Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV)

Students who fulfill the overall Bright Futures criteria and are currently enrolled in a career education or certificate program are eligible. High school students wishing to enroll in a career education or certificate program are eligible if they meet the following criteria:

• Minimum weighted GPA of 3.0 in non-elective high school courses.
• Enroll in at least three credits of a single career and technical education program.
• Earn at least a 3.5 unweighted GPA in career education courses.
• Complete a minimum of 30 service hours.
• Must get the minimum scores in one of the following tests: ACT, SAT, or FL Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT)

Florida Academic Scholars (FAS)

100% of tuition and fees at all public Florida institution or a comparable amount at private institutions

Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS)

75% of tuition and fees at all public Florida institutions or a comparable amount at private institutions

Renewal requirements

Students who have received Bright Futures scholarship throughout the academic year are not required to reapply; instead, they will be evaluated automatically at the end of the spring semester. To be automatically renewed, you must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA, which varies based on the program you are enrolled in. Related Coca Cola Scholarship 2025

It is crucial to know that if you do not fulfill the minimum credit hour and GPA requirements, you will be unable to continue or reapply for a Bright Futures program. So, if you receive a Bright Futures scholarship, make sure you bring your A-game!

Here are the minimum requirements for GPA for the following programs:

Florida Academic Scholars (FAS): 3.0 GPA
Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS): 2.75 GPA
Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV): 2.75 GPA

List of schools eligible for Bright Futures scholarship

Bright Futures can be used at any recognized program in Florida, whether public or private. This includes community colleges. Here are some of the colleges where you can use your scholarship monies. For a more comprehensive list, see our complete list of the best Florida colleges.

• University of Florida
• Florida State
• University of South Florida
• University of Miami
• University of Central Florida
• Santa Fe College
• Tallahassee Community College
• Valencia College

If you are pursuing a Bright Futures scholarship, there are many ways that you can maximize your chances. You can start by working to make sure your test scores and GPA are as high as possible. You can maximize your test scores by deciding whether to focus on the SAT or the ACT. It’s also important to choose the right tutor and determine the best time to take these tests.