For instructions on how to apply for bright futures, please download them below:

Bright Futures Instructions

To learn more about bright futures, please read below:

1. Students must apply during their last year in high school or forfeit all future eligibility for a Bright Futures Scholarship.

2. A student who receives a Bright Futures award and attends an out-of-state postsecondary institution and then returns to Florida to complete his/her education within three years may apply for reinstatement of the original award. (Again, this is only if the student applied for this award while they were a senior.)

3. An initially eligible student who enlists in the United States Armed Forces immediately after high school graduation will begin the three-year eligibility period for his/her initial award upon the date of separation from active duty.

4. In order to receive funding for a Florida Bright Futures award, a student must be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. ~The postsecondary institution the student attends is responsible for making residency and citizenship determinations.

5. Beginning with the 2009-10 academic year, a student must earn at least 24 semester credit hours (or the equivalent) if enrolled full time for the entire academic year.

6. Students will be required to repay the cost of any course dropped or withdrawn.

7. Students do not receive funds directly from the Florida Dept. of Education. The college financial aid office a student attends is responsible for calculating the Bright Futures award and disbursing the funds.

8. Minimum GPA requirements for maintaining your Bright Futures award are as follows: 3.0 GPA if you received the Florida Academic Scholars Award; 2.75 if you received the Florid Medallion Scholars or Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award. Students who falls below this GPA or does not meet the minimum credit hours requirement could lose their eligibility for renewal for a year but there is a one-time restoration opportunity. Visit This site for more information. **Bright Futures now pays per credit hour: Florida Academic equates to $126 per hour; Florida Medallion and Florida Gold Seal equates to $95.