BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP

1. BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP Gateway High School Counselors Mrs. Woodward (A-G), Ms. Simpson (H-Q), Ms. Justiniano (R-Z), and Ms. Rizer (IB) Adapted from Broward County PPT

2. What is a Bright Futures Scholarship? Tuition payment for FLORIDA post-secondary schools. College/University Vocational Schools Based on Academic History, Test Scores and Community Service*. Noncompetitive!

3. How Much Might College Cost?

4. 3 SCHOLARSHIPS Florida Academic Scholars Award Florida Medallion Scholars Award Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award

5. Scholarship Value Value is dependent upon legislative fundingEACH YEAR. Current Amounts for FOUR year Universities Academic Scholar current value:$101 per Semester hour. Medallion Scholar current value: $76 per Semester hour. Gold Seal Scholar current value: $76 per Semester hour.

6. FL Schools Cost Per Credit Hour FALL 2011 FEES

7. How to Apply Apply by completing the Florida Financial Aid Application after December 1st during your Senior Year Students must qualify for the Bright Futures Program by the time they graduate from high school.

8. How It Works Apply on-line at www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org Your high school sends your transcript to the Department of Education (DOE). Grade point averages will be calculated at the DOE. The DOE will mail an award letter to qualified candidates. Candidate MUST RESPOND to the letter advising DOE of where monies are to be sent. Funding begins the FALL term after your high school graduation.

9. Eligibility Criteria Be a Florida residentand U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, as determined by your postsecondary institution. Earn a Florida standard high school diploma Be accepted by and enrolled in an eligible Florida public or private school Be enrolled for at least 6 semester credit hours or equivalent Use the award within 3 years of graduation.

10. Summer Funding Summer Funding is currently not available.

11. Criteria forFlorida Academic Scholars 3.5 weighted GPA (based on Bright Futures Weighting System) Weighting for more challenging higher level courses is prescribed by a law as .25 per course per semester or .5 per course per year. GPA based on 16 credits 4 English 4 Mathematics** (Algebra I and above) 3 Natural Sciences 3 Social Science (any) 2 Foreign Language (in the same language) May use up to 3 additional credits from courses in the academic areas listed above

12. Additional Requirements forFAS Award Best composite score: 1270 SAT (Critical Reading/Math) or 28 ACT (Composite) Community Service -- 100 hours

13. Criteria forFlorida Medallion Scholars 3.0 weighted GPA (based on Bright Futures Program weighting) using 16 credits (up to 18) GPA based on 15 (or more) credits 4 English 4 Mathematics** (Algebra 1 and above) 3 Natural Sciences 3 Social Science (any) 2 Foreign Language (in the same language) May use up to 3 additional credits from courses in academic areas listed above

14. Additional Requirements for FMS Scholarship Best composite score: 980 SAT (Critical Reading/Math) or 21 ACT (Composite) Community Service Hours:75

15. Criteria forGold Seal Scholarship 3.0 weighted GPA (based on Bright Futures Program weighting) using the 15.5 credits required for graduation, excluding electives 3.5 unweighted GPA in a minimum of 3 vocational credits in one program Test scores required: CPT: Reading-83 Sentence Skills-83 Algebra-72 OR SAT: Critical Reading-440 Math-440 OR ACT: English-17 Reading-18 Math-19 Community Service: 30 hours

16. Gold Seal…16 credits for graduation (need 3.0 GPA on these) 4 English 4 Mathematics** (any math credits) 3 Natural Science 3 Social Science (Am. History, World History, Am. Government and Economics) 1 Practical Arts credit OR 1 Performing Arts credit (OR 1/2 credit in each) 1/2 Life Management Skills 1/2 Personal Fitness 1/2 Physical Education Note: no foreign language is required

17. Gold Seal.. 3 Vocational credits (need 3.5 unweighted GPA) A minimum of 3 Vocational Job-Preparatory or Technology Education Program credits in one vocational program (3.5 gpa from 3 these) A few GHS examples: Web Design Digital Design Health Science Drafting

18. Social Security Number Using your Social Security Number is NOT required…BUT… it will really help YOU!!!!!! Check with your Counselor to make sure that it appears on your transcript. You may need to bring in a copy of your social security number to the Guidance office. • To be eligible for participating in the dual credit program, students must meet all of the following qualifications: • .Written approval by principal and guidance director. • .Minimum cumulative 3.0 unweighted grade point average • .To continue in the program, student must maintain an unweighted 3.0 GPA and earn a grade of “C” or better in the college-level work. • .Demonstrate adequate pre-collegiate preparation in the appropriate section of the basic computation and communication skills assessment (SAT, ACT, and/or CPT scores) Minimum scores for dual enrollment are periodically updated by the community college. Information is available in the guidance office. • .Choose BCC courses from a list of courses specifically identified for dual enrolled students. • Students involved in the dual enrollment program are exempt from payment of registration, matriculation, and textbook fees. • Interested students should request to speak with Mrs. Griffith about the program. • Early Admissions • Early admissions is a form of dual enrollment through which eligible secondary students enroll in a post-secondary institution on a full-time basis in courses that are creditable toward a degree. Students must complete two consecutive terms of at least twelve (12) college level credit hours each term with an average of “C” or higher in order to receive their high school diploma. Matriculation fees are waived for a maximum of 24 credit hours. Participation is limited to students who meet the eligibility requirements. • Broward County Schools currently have articulation agreements with the following institutions: • University of Florida • Florida State University • University of Central Florida • University of South Florida • Florida International University. • Agreements with Broward Community College and Florida Atlantic University are being renewed and should be approved at the November 2001 board meeting. • Students in the early admit program are waived from any tuition and book fees at the schools where there is an existing articulation agreement. Students who apply for early admission at any other institution are responsible for any fees associated with that school. • Students considering applying for early admissions are advised to review early admit policies at the college or university of their choice. In most cases, early admit students are expected to meet higher entrance criteria than the average student. • Exceptional Student Education • FCAT

19. What’s NEW this year? BF awards a flat fee per credit hour. ALL Awards REQUIRE Community Service Test requirements have gone UP! MUST complete FAFSA Students must return money for dropped courses. Gold Seal Vocational Award is only for 90 credit hours.

20. Why Apply? -- I don’t plan to attend college in Florida Your Bright Futures Scholarship will wait for you! You must use your Bright Futures scholarship within 3 years of graduation You must apply before graduation

21. How and when will I be notified of my eligibility? The award (or ineligibility) letter will be mailed to the address listed on your high school transcript within three weeks of the date your transcript is officially evaluated by the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

22. How do I receive the money? The student must designate which post-secondary institution that they will attend in the fall semester. Your college will be given names and SSN electronically of all eligible students. At the end of the drop/add period, funds are either applied to the student’s account at the college or given to the student in a check.

23. Internet Access for Students Students can access their own Bright Futures record on-line. Each student receives a PIN with their award or ineligibility letter. This PIN enables students to view their eligibility status and update name, address, and school of attendance. A history of the hours and dollars disbursed to each student is also available.

24. What math courses are acceptable for Bright Futures? For Gold Seal -- 3 math courses accepted for high school graduation For Academic Scholars or Medallion -- Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II (and above) Liberal Arts math and Informal Geometry ARE NOT considered to be at the Algebra I level or above Applied Math I and II and Algebra IA and IB--each full year courses, will receive .5 credit for FAS and FMS

25. Renewal Renewal Eligibility occurs at the end of the Spring semester of college Student must have completed a minimum of 6 semester hours per term Florida Academic Scholars - 3.0 GPA Florida Merit Scholars - 2.75 GPA Florida Gold Seal Scholars - 2.75 GPA

26. What if I lose the BF Scholarship Due To A Low GPA? Students have one opportunity to restore their scholarship. Student needs to fill out Reinstatement/ Restoration form prior to July 1st. UP GPA KEEP

27. Restoration/Reinstatement Florida Academic Scholar with GPA of 2.75 - 2.99 will renew as Florida Medallion Scholar. Student raises GPA to 3.0- request Restoration to Florida Academic Scholar. Florida Medallion or Gold Seal below 2.75 GPA will lose scholarship. If the student raises their GPA to 2.75 or higher- request Restoration to Florida Medallion or Gold Seal. Reinstatement - eligible student who did not receive funding in the previous year. Out of state student who came back or did not attend.

28. Summary of the 3 Scholarships in Bright Futures Program

29. Any Questions ??????

30. Bright Futures Website WWW.floridastudentfinancialaid.org www.facts.org Toll Free - 1-888-827-2004