Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program rewards Florida High School graduates who demonstrate high academic achievement and enroll in eligible Florida post secondary institutions. This scholarship program has three award levels: the Florida Academic Scholars Award, the Florida Medallion Scholars Award, and the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award. Each award level has different academic criteria for eligibility and different award amounts.

During the 2009 Session, the Legislature passed a bill that affects the Bright Futures program effective for the upcoming 2009/2010 academic year.

Please read the changes below very carefully as these WILL impact your awards:

• Senate Bill 1696 - Conforming Bill:
  • Removes Bright Futures college-related expense awards for Florida Academic Scholars.
    
  • Requires institutions to refund the state for any Bright Futures award amount received for courses which were dropped or withdrawn after the drop and add period.
  • Changes Bright Futures Renewal Requirements:
    • Requires students to submit a refund to their institution for any award amount received for course(s) which were dropped or withdrawn after the drop and add period.
    • Allows students who lose their award due to not earning the required hours to restore the award in a subsequent academic year (available to students not meeting the hours requirement in the 2009-10 academic year and thereafter).
    • Revises credit hour requirements for full-time students to earn 24 semester hours (or the equivalent) per academic year (and prorated for part-time enrollment).
      
    • Prohibits the renewal of Florida Gold Seal Vocational awards to Florida Medallion awards.