This is a state-funded scholarship program available to eligible Florida residents who meet specific academic requirements in high school. It includes three award levels: Florida Academic Scholars (FAS), Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS), and Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars.

What are the Eligibility Requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship:

The eligibility requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program were as follows:

1. Florida Residency: You must be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
2. High School Graduation: You must graduate from a Florida public high school or an eligible private high school.
3. High School Coursework: You must complete the required coursework for the specific Bright Futures award you are seeking. The courses include credits in English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language.
4. Community Service: You must complete a specified number of community service hours as determined by the Florida Legislature.
5. GPA Requirement: There are different GPA requirements for the three award levels of the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship:
   • Florida Academic Scholars (FAS): Requires a minimum weighted GPA of 3.5.
   • Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS): Requires a minimum weighted GPA of 3.0.
   • Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV): Requires a minimum weighted GPA of 3.0 and completion of a minimum of three full credits in a single Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.
6. Test Scores: You must achieve the required minimum scores on the SAT or ACT to qualify for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship:
   • FAS and FMS: Specific SAT or ACT score requirements apply for each award level.
   • GSV: You must meet the minimum required SAT or ACT scores for the FMS award level.

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What is the total award for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship:

The total award amount for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship depends on the specific award level a student qualifies for:

1. Florida Academic Scholars (FAS):
   • For the Academic Year 2021-2022, the FAS award covered 100% of tuition and applicable fees at a public Florida university or college. It also provided a fixed amount for other educational expenses, such as textbooks and supplies. For students attending private institutions, the scholarship provided an equivalent award that covered a portion of the tuition and fees.
2. Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS):
   • For the Academic Year 2021-2022, the FMS award covered a specified percentage of tuition and applicable fees at a public Florida university or college. Similar to FAS recipients, FMS students also received a fixed amount for other educational expenses. The percentage of tuition and fees covered was lower than that of FAS recipients.
3. Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV):
   • For the Academic Year 2021-2022, GSV recipients received a specified percentage of tuition and applicable fees for eligible Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at public Florida institutions. The scholarship also provided a fixed amount for other educational expenses.

How do you apply for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship:

To apply for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, you need to follow these steps:

1. Meet Eligibility Requirements: Ensure that you meet all the eligibility requirements for the specific Bright Futures award level you are seeking. These requirements include Florida residency, high school graduation from a Florida public or eligible private school, completion of required coursework, minimum GPA, and community service hours.
2. Submit a Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA): The first step in applying for the Bright Futures Scholarship is to complete and submit the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA). You can find the FFAA on the Florida Department of Education’s Office of Student Financial Assistance website. The FFAA is used to determine your eligibility for various state-funded financial aid programs, including Bright Futures.
3. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): While the FAFSA is not specifically required for the Bright Futures Scholarship, completing it is highly recommended. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal financial aid programs, as well as some state and university scholarships. It may also be used to assess your financial need, which could be relevant for other financial aid opportunities.
4. Check with Your High School Guidance Counselor: Inform your high school guidance counselor that you intend to apply for the Bright Futures Scholarship. They can provide guidance, support, and any additional information you may need for the application process.
5. Monitor Your Application Status: After submitting the FFAA, monitor your application status regularly. If you are eligible for the scholarship, you will receive notification from the Florida Department of Education.
6. Provide Required Documentation (if requested): In some cases, you might be asked to provide additional documentation to support your eligibility for the scholarship. Make sure to submit any requested documents promptly.
7. Accept the Award: If you are awarded the Bright Futures Scholarship, you will need to accept the award through the online system provided by the Florida Department of Education. This step is essential to secure your scholarship.

How To Get a Student Visa for the United States

1. Receive Acceptance from a U.S. School: Before applying for a student visa, you must first be accepted by a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved school in the United States. Once accepted, the school will provide you with a Form I-20 (for F-1 visa) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1 visa), which are required for the visa application.
2. Pay the SEVIS Fee: The SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee must be paid before applying for the visa. You can find more information and pay the fee on the official SEVIS website.
3. Complete the DS-160 Form: The DS-160 is the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form. You must complete this form on the U.S. Department of State’s Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website.
4. Schedule a Visa Interview: After completing the DS-160 form, you will need to schedule an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. Visa interview wait times can vary, so it’s essential to schedule the interview well in advance.
5. Gather Required Documents: Gather all necessary documents for the visa interview. These typically include your passport, DS-160 confirmation page, SEVIS fee receipt, Form I-20 or DS-2019, acceptance letter from the U.S. school, financial documents showing you can cover the costs of studying and living in the U.S., and any other documents requested by the U.S. embassy or consulate.
6. Attend the Visa Interview: On the scheduled date, attend the visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate. Be prepared to answer questions about your study plans, ties to your home country, and financial situation. The consular officer will determine whether you are eligible for the student visa.
7. Wait for Visa Processing: After the interview, the consular officer will decide whether to approve or deny your visa application. If approved, the visa will be stamped in your passport, and you will receive instructions on when and how to pick up your passport with the visa.
8. Enter the United States: Once you have your student visa, you can travel to the United States. You can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the start date on your Form I-20 or DS-2019.

The Annual and Renewable Options For This Scholarship

This is an annual scholarship opportunity.

The deadline is listed as May 15, 2024 or each year.

Other available scholarships to look at are Fully-funded The Asian Development Bank – Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) for Postgraduate Students from ADB Member Countries, The University of Tokyo, Japan 2024 or $5,000 UNSW 2023 Scholarship Program for International Students.

All applicants should consult the contact webpage that is in the contact section of this page if a question has not been answered. Beforehand check the university’s FAQs page to see if anything can be answered right away.

All students should check with the university website about any delays or changes to the open submission window or deadline time frame. This is the best way to see if anything needs to be reviewed or changed before submitting their application. Anyone can sign up to receive a university website newsletter to stay updated on the latest information.

Any student unsure about the rules and guidelines meant to be followed by the recipient should consult the website link provided. Anyone looking for more information that is not found on the website should contact the email address.

We also suggest that all applicants read through the information guideline page that is available through the original scholarship link. This way, the individual can navigate the website correctly and identify the real scholarship online application. So far there has been no mention of any delays for this opportunity or any cancellations.