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Types of Aid: Bright Futures

Bright Futures Scholarship Program ( website, Amount per Credit Hour, FAQs)
This several state-funded scholarships are based on high school academic achievement and is for students enrolled in an eligible Florida public or private post-secondary educational institution within three years of graduation from a Florida high school. For additional information, contact your high school counselor or call the Florida Department of Education at 1-888-827-2004 (toll free).  To determine your balance due, go to the Controller's Office on the Boca Campus in the Student Support Services building or the Cashier's Office at the Davie or Jupiter Campuses.  Bright Futures Scholarship is NOT available during the Summer terms.

Florida Medallion, Florida Gold Seal and  Florida Academic Scholarship Recipients:  Florida Medallion and Florida Gold Seal recipients should be advised that, prior to disbursement, the amount which appears on the student's account is an amount based on an estimated 12 credits of enrollment. Recipients of these programs should contact the Controller's Office during the first week of classes to verify the residual amount of their fees not covered by their scholarship. If you have not accepted additional financial aid to pay this residual amount, it is your responsibility to pay the balance by the semester's last day to pay deadline to avoid a late payment fee of $100.00.

Bright Futures Scholarship Program Image

bf logo

Changes to Bright Futures Scholarships, effective July 1, 2011

The Florida Legislative Session passed bills that affect state-funded financial aid programs.  Below is a summary of the main changes that will impact students receiving Bright Futures Scholarships for the 2011-2012 academic year:

1.  All Bright Futures recipients are now REQUIRED to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year prior to receiving a disbursement.

2.  Florida Academic Scholars Bright Futures Award will now be awarded at $101 per credit hour.

3.  Florida Medallion Scholars Bright Futures Award will now be awarded at $76 per credit hour.

In addition, on your award offer, the Bright Futures amount is based on full-time enrollment .  Students will be paid based on actual enrollment after the drop/add deadline.  For example, if a student is enrolled in 9 credit hours after the drop/add deadline, the Bright Futures award would be paid based on 9 credit hours (and not the amount that was initially awarded).  All classes dropped after the drop/add deadline MUST be REPAID in order to be eligible for renewal.

Bright Futures recipients will be notified via email of these legislative changes from the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) . 

The FAS Scholarship will NO LONGER pay the additional amount towards college-related expenses such as the purchasing of books.  In addition, these scholarships DO NOT pay for Owl Card, Transportation/Access Fee, Repeat Course Surcharge, Late Payment Fee, Late Registration, E-college and Nursing fees. 

1.  REPAYMENT
Students will be required to REPAY the cost of any course dropped/withdrawn AFTER the drop/add deadline UNLESS an exception has been made by the Office of Student Financial Aid.  Exceptions are medical withdrawal or an emergency beyond the student's control.  

2.  REQUIRED HOURS FOR RENEWAL - Students are NOT REQUIRED to enroll full-time to receive Bright Futures funding.

1. However, full-time students must earn 24 semester hours (or the equivalent) per academic year; however, full-time students must earn 24 semester hours (or the equivalent per academic year)
   
2. Students MAY enroll part-time and receive Bright Futures Funding
   Part-time student must enroll in a minimum of 6 semester hours per term.  Part time students must earn the required number of hours for which they were funded; see chart at: http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/bf/renewrequiredhrs.htm
   
   
3. Number of FAS/FMS credit hours of funding available:
   

FAS

FMS

GSV

Graduated High school 2008-2009 and earlier

132

132

90

Graduated High school 2009-2010 and later

120

120

90

NOTE: The Florida Legislature reviews the program each year and is authorized to change eligibility and funding requirements for future years.

d.  Grade Point Average (GPA):

FAS

FMS

GSV

Minimum Cumulative GPA for Renewal

(unrounded & unweighted)

3.0*

2.75

2.75

* FAS with 2.75 - 2.99 will renew as FMS.

3.  GRADUATE STUDY
Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) and Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) earning a baccalaureate degree in the 2010-11 academic year and thereafter in 7 semesters or fewer (or the equivalent in credit hours) may receive funding for 1 term of graduate study, not to exceed 15 semester hours, paid at the undergraduate rate.

4 .  2009-2010 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AND THEREAFTER   eligible for Bright Futures:

• may receive funding for up to 100% of the required hours for their program of study
  
• may ONLY restore their award if the award is lost due to insufficient GPA in the first year of funding.
  

5.  OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Increases SAT/ACT test scores for the Florida Academic Scholars and Florida Medallion Scholars initial awards incrementally over the next four years.

• 2010-11 high school graduates and thereafter eligible for Bright Futures may receive funding for up to five years after high school graduation instead of seven years.

If you are receiving both BRIGHT FUTURES and Florida Prepaid Tuition: 

Students receiving the Bright Futures scholarship and the Florida Prepaid contribution should deduct these amounts from the total charges (see Fee Payment).  Bright Futures will be applied to your student account first and the Florida Prepaid will be posted approximately three weeks after the drop/add period.  Students will receive a refund for the amount that exceeds your tuition. 

IMPORTANT:   Keep in mind that the Bright Futures amount listed on your student account summary is an ESTIMATED figure. Please see the charts below for the EXACT amounts based on the number of credits that you are enrolled for the semester (after the drop/add deadline) :

Bright Futures Scholarship Payment Chart
Florida PrePaid Contribution Schedule

Last Modified - 06/06/11