The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship is a merit-based financial aid program that rewards students for their academic excellence in high school. It offers two distinct awards: the Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) Award and the Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) Award. Both of these awards are available to eligible students at the University of Central Florida (UCF).
Types of Bright Futures Scholarship Programs
The Florida Academic Scholars Award is the most competitive and generous of the two Bright Futures scholarships. Recipients may receive funding for up to five years from their high school graduation, covering a maximum of 120 credit hours required to complete a first baccalaureate degree. Additionally, the top-ranked Florida Academic Scholar in each county will be granted the Academic Top Scholars Award.
Bright Futures Scholarship Benefits
Full coverage of tuition and applicable fees, including activity and service fees, health fees, athletic fees, financial aid fees, capital improvement fees, campus access/transportation fees, technology fees, and tuition differential fees.
- The per credit hour award for the Florida Academic Scholars is $212.28.
- The Academic Top Scholars Award provides an additional $44 per credit hour.
Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS)
The Florida Medallion Scholars Award is somewhat less competitive than the FAS award but still requires high academic standards, including strong GPA and standardized test scores. Like the FAS, FMS recipients may receive funding for up to five years, covering a maximum of 120 credit hours toward a first baccalaureate degree.
FMS Award Benefits
Coverage of 75% of tuition and applicable fees for fall, spring, and summer terms, including the same fees listed under the FAS benefits.
The per credit hour award for the Florida Medallion Scholars is $159.21.
Transient Enrollment
For students taking courses at other institutions, UCF will include approved transient enrollment hours in their Bright Futures award calculations, in accordance with the per credit hour award for the institution attended. Students must complete the transient enrollment process to ensure these hours are counted.
Transient Enrollment Funding Rates
- FAS Award: 100% of tuition and fees at the host institution.
- FMS Award: 75% of tuition and fees at the host institution.
Bright Futures Scholarship Eligibility and Requirements
To be eligible for a Bright Futures Scholarship, students must meet the following general criteria:
- Be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- Complete the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) by August 31st following their high school graduation.
- Earn a standard Florida high school diploma or its equivalent from a Florida public high school or a registered Florida Department of Education private school.
- Not have been convicted of or pled no contest to a felony.
- Be accepted to and enrolled in a degree or certificate program at an eligible Florida postsecondary institution.
- Enroll in a minimum of six credit hours (non-remedial) per term.
It is important to note that students are not required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive the initial or renewal Bright Futures award. However, submitting the FAFSA is encouraged for those seeking additional state and federal aid.
Exceptions to Bright Futures Requirements
Students who need fewer than six credit hours to graduate may still be eligible for FAS and FMS funding by submitting a memo from a student success coach, indicating their anticipated graduation date and that fewer than six credit hours are needed to complete their degree. Additionally, students enrolled in graduate-level courses that count toward the completion of their undergraduate degree must submit a similar memo for approval.
How to Apply for Bright Futures Scholarship
To apply for the Bright Futures Scholarship, students must submit the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) no later than August 31st after their high school graduation.
Bright Futures Award Timeline
UCF begins estimating Bright Futures awards in February for the upcoming academic year, based on high school GPA and standardized test scores.
From February to May, UCF will update estimated awards based on the available information.
In late May, UCF will receive the Master Eligibility List (MEL) from the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA), which includes students who have received the Bright Futures Initial Award Letter.
UCF will make final award determinations as new information from OSFA becomes available.
Summer Funding for Bright Futures Scholars
Bright Futures scholarship recipients can use their awards to cover summer term tuition and fees:
- FAS students will receive full coverage (100%) for tuition and applicable fees.
- FMS students will receive 75% coverage for tuition and applicable fees.
- Students must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours during the summer to be eligible for funding.
Renewal and Reinstatement
Renewal Eligibility
To renew their Bright Futures award, students must meet the required GPA and credit hour thresholds. This includes all college coursework, including any transient enrollment hours. If necessary, students may exclude dual enrollment courses taken during high school from the GPA calculation.
Reinstatement / Restoration
If a student fails to meet the GPA or credit hour requirements and did not receive funding in the prior academic year, they may apply to have their award reinstated. If a student’s failure to meet renewal requirements occurred during the first year of funding, they may be eligible for a one-time restoration.
Repayment for Dropped or Withdrawn Courses
Students who drop or withdraw from courses after the Drop/Add period will need to repay any disbursed Bright Futures funds for those courses. This repayment is required for the student to maintain eligibility for future terms. Failure to repay will result in a hold on the student’s registration and jeopardize future eligibility for the scholarship.
Students who are unable to meet repayment requirements due to extenuating circumstances may submit an appeal with supporting documentation, and the repayment requirement may be waived.
Scholarship Appeals
If a student does not meet the renewal requirements due to a verifiable illness or emergency, they may file an appeal with the State Programs and Scholarships office. Detailed documentation must be provided to support the claim for an appeal.
For further information regarding eligibility, application deadlines, and additional guidelines, students should refer to the Florida Bright Futures Program website and consult with their high school guidance office or UCF’s Financial Aid office.
Also read: Bright Futures Scholarship Requirements
FAQs
What does Brighter Futures do?
Brighter Futures supports parents in giving their children a strong start in life and helps prevent problems from escalating. Typically, parents are referred to the program by an agency they’re already working with, but participation is voluntary.
What are the qualifications for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship?
- Florida Bright Futures Academic Scholarship: 3.50 GPA (upon high school graduation), ACT score of 29 or higher, or SAT score of 1330 or higher. Community service: 100+ hours.
- Florida Bright Futures Medallion Scholarship: 3.00 GPA (upon high school graduation), ACT score of 25 or higher, or SAT score of 1210 or higher.
How much does Bright Futures cover at the University of Miami?
The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship covers between 75-100% of tuition and fees at a Florida state university or college.
What are the requirements for the Sunshine State Scholarship?
Minimum State Requirements:
- The student must be a junior with an interest in pursuing postsecondary education opportunities in Florida.
- The student should demonstrate a particular interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
What percent of Florida students receive the Bright Futures Scholarship?
For the upcoming academic year, about 12% of Florida’s high school graduates are expected to receive an initial Bright Futures award.
How much money does Bright Futures provide?
The Florida Academic Scholars award (formerly known as the 100% Bright Futures award) provides $213.55 per credit hour, which is just slightly less than the standard tuition and fees.
What schools outside of Florida accept Bright Futures?
The Bright Futures scholarship program is exclusively for Florida residents and can only be used at eligible institutions within Florida. It cannot be applied at out-of-state schools.
Does Florida Bright Futures cover private universities?
Yes, Bright Futures can be used for private colleges or universities within Florida, as long as the school is on the list of approved institutions, regardless of whether the school is public or private.
What is the acceptance rate for the University of Miami?
The acceptance rate at the University of Miami is 18.5%. This means that for every 100 applicants, only about 19 are admitted, making it a highly competitive school.
