Florida Department of Education

www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org

Office of Student Financial Assistance Training Manual for Self-Study: Counseling Students about Bright Futures Initial Eligibility

2013-14

Counseling Students about Bright Futures Initial Eligibility

Table of Contents
A. B. Introduction ................................................................................................................ 1 Initial Eligibility Criteria for Bright Futures Awards ............................................ 2 1. Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS) ............................................................. 2 2. Florida Medallion Scholars Award (FMS) ............................................................ 3 3. Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award (GSV) .......................................... 4 4. Award Amounts ..................................................................................................... 5 5. Academic Top Scholars Award (ATS) .................................................................. 5 General Eligibility Requirements ............................................................................. 5 How to Apply .............................................................................................................. 6 Eligibility Evaluations ............................................................................................... 6 Misinformation ........................................................................................................... 7 For More Information ............................................................................................... 8 For Web-based Training ........................................................................................... 8

C. D. E. F. G. H.

Florida Department of Education Office of Student Financial Assistance Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program

Training Manual for Self-Study: Counseling Students about Bright Futures Initial Eligibility Criteria
A. Introduction
Bright Futures is a merit-based scholarship program funded by the Florida lottery. There are three awards, each with specific criteria that students must meet: Florida Academic Scholars award (FAS) Florida Medallion Scholars award (FMS) Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award (GSV) Each of the three scholarship awards is based on student performance in specified high school courses, test scores, and community service. Students may meet the criteria for multiple awards, but they can only be funded for the highest award for which they qualify after the last semester in high school. The criteria and award amounts are subject to change based on legislative sessions. Review the information on www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org annually to keep up to date. From the home page, choose State Grants, Scholarships & Applications. Information updates are provided in Whats New and Frequently Asked Questions.

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B. Initial Eligibility Criteria for Bright Futures Awards

1. Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS) To be eligible for the Florida Academic Scholars award, students must earn a 3.5 weighted GPA in the required college preparatory credits. The GPA is not rounded. Required credits include: 4 English (3 with substantial writing) 4 Math (Algebra I level and above) 3 Natural Science (2 with substantial lab) 3 Social Science 2 World Language (sequential, in the same language) Students may use up to two additional optional credits from courses in these academic areas and/or AP, IB, or AICE fine arts courses to raise the GPA, if necessary. Students must complete 100 hours of community service, as approved by the district or private school administration. The district, not the Florida Department of Education, determines the criteria for meeting the community service requirement. For test scores, the Florida Department of Education uses the best section scores from different test dates to create the best combined score. Different test types may not be mixed. Students must have 1290 on the SAT based on critical reading and math or a 29 ACT score. ACT scores are rounded up for scores with a .5. Writing sections are not used in the composite. Also, SAT subject tests are not used. Students can test through January 31 of their senior year for early eligibility and June 30 for final eligibility. Other ways to qualify must include the 100 community service hours: National Merit or Achievement Scholars and Finalists National Hispanic Scholars IB Diploma (based on exams taken prior to high school graduation) IB Curriculum with a 1290 SAT or 29 ACT AICE Diploma (based on exams taken prior to and during the high school graduation exam administration series ending mid-June) AICE Curriculum with 1290 SAT or 29 ACT Home Education, registered with the district during grades 11 and 12 and have a best composite score of 1290 SAT or 29 ACT. GED with best composite score of 1290 SAT or 29 ACT and a 3.5 weighted GPA in the 16 required credits. The 3-year standard college preparatory program with best composite score of 1290 SAT or 29 ACT and a 3.5 weighted GPA in the 16 required credits.

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2. Florida Medallion Scholars Award (FMS) To earn the FMS, students must earn a 3.0 weighted GPA in the required college preparatory credits, which include: 4 English (3 with substantial writing) 4 Math (Algebra I level and above) 3 Natural Science (2 with substantial lab) 3 Social Science 2 World Language (sequential, in the same language) The additional two optional credits may be used to raise the GPA, the same as the FAS award. Students must complete 75 hours of community service, as approved by the district or private school administration. The district, not the Florida Department of Education, determines the criteria for meeting the community service requirement. Required test scores include 1170 on the SAT based on critical reading and math or 26 on the ACT Test. As with the test scores for the FAS, the best section scores from different test dates are used to create the best combined score. Note that the same criteria are used for the FMS test scores as the FAS test scores and the deadlines are the same. Other ways to qualify for the FMS must include the 75 hours of community service: National Merit or Achievement Scholars and Finalists National Hispanic Scholars IB curriculum with 1170 SAT or 26 ACT test scores AICE Diploma (based on exams taken prior to and during the high school graduation exam administration series ending mid-June) AICE curriculum with 1170 SAT or 26 ACT Home Education, registered with the district in grades 11 & 12, with 1220 SAT or 27 on the ACT or have a best combined score of 1170 SAT or 26 ACT with a weighted 3.0 GPA in the 16 required credits (documented through Florida public, FDOE-registered private, FLVS or dual enrollment transcripts) GED with best composite score of 1170 SAT or 26 ACT and a 3.0 weighted GPA in the 16 required credits. The 3-year standard college preparatory program with best composite score of 1170 SAT or 26 ACT and a 3.0 weighted GPA in the 16 required credits.

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3. Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award (GSV) For the GSV, students must achieve a 3.0 weighted GPA in the core credits required for graduation and 3.5 unweighted GPA in a minimum of three Career and Technical Education credits in one vocational program. Required core credits for graduation include: 4 English 4 Math (including Algebra I) 3 Natural Science (2 with lab component) 3 Social Science (U.S. History, World History, U.S. Government, and Economics) 1 Fine or Identified Practical Art or .5 credit in each 1 Physical Education (to include integration of health) Students must complete 30 hours of community service, as approved by the district or private school administration. The district, not the Florida Department of Education, determines the criteria for meeting the community service requirement. Test scores must meet the following criteria: SAT scores must be at least 440 on Critical Reading and 440 on Math. ACT scores of 17 English, 18 in Reading, and 19 in Math are required. Florida Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) is available for 2013-14 high school graduates. PERT scores must be at least 104 in Reading, 99 Writing, and 113 Math. Note that test types cannot be mixed for purposes of this scholarship. Other ways to qualify must include 30 hours of community service: 3-year Career Preparatory Diploma with 3.0 weighted GPA in: 4 English (3 with substantial writing) 4 Math (including Algebra I) 3 Natural Science (2 with lab component) 3 Social Science (U.S. History, World History, U.S. Government, and Economics) AND a 3.5 unweighted GPA in a minimum of three Career and Technical Education credits in one vocational program 3-year College Preparatory Diploma with a 3.0 weighted GPA in: 4 English (3 with substantial writing) 4 Math (Algebra I level and above) 3 Natural Science (2 with lab component) 3 Social Science (U.S. History, World History, U.S. Government, and Economics) 2 credits in World Language (sequential, in the same language) AND a 3.5 unweighted GPA in a minimum of three Career and Technical Education credits in one vocational program. A GED with a 3.0 weighted GPA using the core credits required for the selected high school graduation option and 3.5 unweighted GPA in a minimum of three Career and Technical Education credits in one vocational program.

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4. Award Amounts For the 2013-2014 academic year, students will receive a fixed award amount per credit hour as set by the Florida Legislature in the General Appropriations Act. The award amounts are the same for public and private postsecondary institutions. They are based on the type of postsecondary school and the students award. For funding purposes, any college in the Florida College System (previously known as the Community College System) is a two-year institution. To view the award amounts, see the Bright Futures website and select Award Amounts. Funding begins during the fall following a spring high school graduation date. 5. Academic Top Scholars Award (ATS) During the first fall semester after students graduate from high school, the Florida Department of Education selects Academic Top Scholar award recipients from those receiving the FAS award. We select one ATS award recipient from each county including public and FDOE registered private high schools. These award recipients are selected based on the product of their Bright Futures GPA and SAT or ACT scores. Students and high schools are notified in November following the previous graduation year. These students receive an additional award amount per credit hour determined annually by the Florida Legislature in the General Appropriations Act. For more information, see the Bright Futures website and select Award Amounts. C. General Eligibility Requirements Students must graduate from a Florida public high school or Florida Department of Education registered private high school to qualify (except Florida residents who attend an out-of-state high school due to a parent or guardian serving on active military duty or on a public service assignment). Also, applicants must not be found guilty of, or plead no contest to, a felony charge. A student must be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen as determined by the postsecondary institution. Students must be seeking an undergraduate degree or certificate at an eligible postsecondary institution and enrolled in a minimum of six nonremedial credit hours. Students must receive funding of a Bright Futures award within two or three years of high school graduation depending on year of high school graduation. An initially eligible student who enlists in the United States Armed Forces immediately after high school graduation must (within two or three years after separation from active dutydepending on year of high school graduation) complete and submit a Reinstatement/Restoration Application online.

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D. How to Apply
Students must apply before high school graduation by completing the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA). The application is online at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org. Select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications and Apply Here for the Initial State Student Application. The application opens on December 1 and closes August 31 to accommodate all current year graduation dates. Students who do not apply by high school graduation will forever forfeit Bright Futures eligibility. Students should only submit one application and provide updates to it as needed. After submitting an application, students can monitor their award statuses online by choosing Application Status & Award History, selecting Award under Initial Student Status or Financial Aid Recipient History, and entering their User ID and PIN. Even if your students do not plan to attend a Florida postsecondary institution, please encourage them to apply. Current year eligible graduates have up to two years to receive funding of a Bright Futures scholarship. If they return to Florida to attend college before the end of this timeframe, they may apply for reinstatement of the original award. Also, be sure that students read all the Before You Begin information before starting the application. A social security number is not required to complete the application. Encourage non-residents and students who are not U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens to apply. However, be sure they understand that residency and citizenship are determined by the postsecondary institution. Students may be notified that they met academic eligibility, but not be eligible for funding if they do not meet other residency/citizenship criteria. If they become residents and U.S. citizens or eligible non citizens before the two-year reinstatement window closes, they may apply for reinstatement of the original award.

E. Eligibility Evaluations
Students are evaluated for Bright Futures eligibility during early and final evaluations after their seventh and eighth semesters. For the evaluation to be finalized, students must have completed the Initial State Student Application and transcripts must be submitted by the high school. Early (or 7th semester) evaluations are based on required coursework completed, courses in progress, community service hours, Bright Futures grade point average (GPA) at the end of the 7th semester, and test scores for tests taken through January 31. Final (or 8th semester) evaluations are based on final transcripts submitted by high schools, community service hours completed by high school graduation, and test scores for tests taken through June 30. The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) posts eligibility notifications online for early evaluations in March each year. Final evaluation eligibility notifications may begin posting as early as June. Award notifications are posted online to the students financial aid recipient history record. Mid-year graduates who desire funding for the spring term may be evaluated at the end of the seventh semester (spring term of the junior year) with required coursework completed, courses
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in progress, community service hours, Bright Futures GPA at the end of the seventh semester, and test scores for tests taken through June 30. Seventh semester evaluations may post as early as October. Eighth semester evaluations occur after graduation and all grades are posted. Final evaluations are based on the final transcript submitted, community service hours completed by high school graduation, and test scores for tests taken through January 31. Final evaluations may begin posting as early as December. Mid-year graduates must apply by August 31 of their graduation year. Public school students and parents can monitor the students progress toward the three Bright Futures Scholarship awards at www.flvc.org. This website provides access to current transcript information and course credit application toward Bright Futures Scholarships. To access the information, students and parents should choose High School Students from the main menu and then, select Check Bright Futures Scholarship Eligibility. Private school evaluations are not on www.flvc.org, but you can print student evaluation reports with a key from the Online Transcript Entry & Evaluation System and provide them to students and parents. Note that Florida law requires that public high school student report cards must contain a disclosure statement that the GPA calculated for purposes of the scholarship may differ from the GPA on the report card. This is to prevent confusion for parents and students about their potential eligibility for the scholarships.

F. Misinformation
When inaccurate or incomplete information about Bright Futures requirements is provided to the student by school personnel, Florida law provides for students to be given until December 31 following graduation to complete a Bright Futures deficiency. (The deadline is June 30 for mid-year graduates.) Your schools principal or district superintendent must provide a signed letter to the Bright Futures office that claims responsibility for providing the inaccurate or incomplete information. Here are some examples of misinformation. Informing students that: They do not need to take the SAT or ACT if they are attending a private postsecondary institution because Bright Futures can not be funded there. Bright Futures is available at many Florida private postsecondary institutions. See the Bright Futures website for a list of eligible institutions. There is no lab with dual enrollment sciences required for Bright Futures eligibility. Vocational credits can be taken in more than one vocational program. The best way to avoid misinformation is to use the online brochure when discussing requirements with students and parents. Also, use the Comprehensive Course Table (CCT) when advising students about which courses to take. Stay up to date by reviewing the Whats New and Frequently Asked Questions sections of our website. Requirements are subject to change with each legislative session.
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G. For More Information

For a printable version of the brochure, go to www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org, select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications and State Program Links, Brochures/Posters. Then, choose the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program Initial Eligibility (pdf). For additional resources, go to www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org/SSFAD/bf/hsguid.htm, select Counselor Logon to the Online Transcript Entry and Evaluation System and logon with your User ID and password. Choose the Help tab for additional Initial Eligibility Criteria resources, including: PowerPoint Presentation on Bright Futures Initial Eligibility Requirements for Students/ Parents Verification of Receipt forms template Training Manuals for Self Study Students and parents may call toll free 1-888-827-2004, option 4. Public high school counselors call Jacque Hunt at 850-410-5199, and private high school counselors call Julia Osmond at 850-410-5173.

H. For Web-based Training

August through May of each academic year, you can register online for instructor -led web-based training for the following classes:

Website Overview Early Evaluation Process Entering Transcript Data for Private Schools Florida Financial Aid Application Basics of Matching Information Final Evaluation Process

Due to improved security measures, you will need the session number to register. Please see the Help page in the Online Transcript Entry & Evaluation System for a link to the session numbers and a step-by-step guide for registration.

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