Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program / Florida Financial Aid Application
To be eligible for state-funded scholarships and grants, listed here, students must complete the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA). The application is only available to seniors starting October 1 of his/her senior year and is found by clicking here and creating a student account.
Completing the FFAA is necessary for students to be considered for Bright Futures. The Bright Futures scholarship is provided to Florida students who meet the minimum requirements and will be attending an in-state school (please note that private and career/technical training schools may have their own policies in regards to Bright Futures). It takes about 15-30 minutes to complete.
Information, requirements, and award amounts for Bright Futures may be reviewed in chapters 1 and 2 of the Bright Futures Student Handbook.
If one does not complete this application, he/she will not be eligible for these state scholarships. If a student is planning on going to college out of state, he/she should still complete the application since one may eventually transfer back to a Florida institution, but the deadline to complete the FFAA is usually in the August after graduation.
It is important to note that after the application opens, a senior student may apply even if he/she has not yet met all of the requirements. Mid-year and early graduates should review the handbook, found at the link above, for specific information about completing the application and pertinent deadlines.
There are three award levels and the main criteria for each involve:
Students may review their progress towards this scholarship by clicking here and scrolling down to the section titled "Bright Futures Scholarships". The Florida student identification number is one's social security number with an "x" at the end. If that does not work, a student should enter "290" and then his/her district ID number.
The online brochure "Money for College", created by the Florida Department of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance, highlights the main scholarships offered by the state.
Completing the FFAA is necessary for students to be considered for Bright Futures. The Bright Futures scholarship is provided to Florida students who meet the minimum requirements and will be attending an in-state school (please note that private and career/technical training schools may have their own policies in regards to Bright Futures). It takes about 15-30 minutes to complete.
Information, requirements, and award amounts for Bright Futures may be reviewed in chapters 1 and 2 of the Bright Futures Student Handbook.
If one does not complete this application, he/she will not be eligible for these state scholarships. If a student is planning on going to college out of state, he/she should still complete the application since one may eventually transfer back to a Florida institution, but the deadline to complete the FFAA is usually in the August after graduation.
It is important to note that after the application opens, a senior student may apply even if he/she has not yet met all of the requirements. Mid-year and early graduates should review the handbook, found at the link above, for specific information about completing the application and pertinent deadlines.
There are three award levels and the main criteria for each involve:
- Specific high school courses one must take
- Grade Point Average of above academic courses
- Test scores
- Community service hours OR work hours (must be logged with BDCHS; please refer to 'Service' tab on the menu bar for more information); if completely entered before January of one's Senior year there will not be as much of a delay after graduation before you are able to see if you earned the scholarship or not
- Submitting a Florida Financial Aid Application (Seniors only, opens in October)
Students may review their progress towards this scholarship by clicking here and scrolling down to the section titled "Bright Futures Scholarships". The Florida student identification number is one's social security number with an "x" at the end. If that does not work, a student should enter "290" and then his/her district ID number.
The online brochure "Money for College", created by the Florida Department of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance, highlights the main scholarships offered by the state.
