You need a 1330 SAT for Florida Academic Scholars (FAS), which covers 100% of tuition. For Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS), which covers 75% of tuition, you need a 1190 SAT. These are minimum composite scores — there are no separate section requirements. Students can also qualify with a 29 ACT for FAS or a 24 ACT for FMS.

Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) covers 100% of tuition at any Florida public university — approximately $6,300 per year, or $25,200 over four years. Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) covers 75% of tuition — approximately $4,725 per year, or $18,900 over four years. Both awards also include a small stipend for books and supplies.

You need a 3.5 weighted GPA for Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) and a 3.0 weighted GPA for Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS). GPA is calculated using your student's core academic courses on a weighted scale, meaning honors, AP, IB, AICE, and dual enrollment courses receive extra weight.

For the 2025–2026 school year, Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) requires a 1330 SAT (or 29 ACT), 3.5 weighted GPA, and 100 community service or work hours. Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) requires a 1190 SAT (or 24 ACT), 3.0 weighted GPA, and 75 community service or work hours. New for 2025–2026: the ACT Science section is now optional, and students who earn an AP Capstone Diploma can qualify for FAS.

The Bright Futures application deadline is August 31 of the year you graduate from high school. You apply through the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA), which opens October 1 of your senior year. Students should apply as early as possible — don't wait until August.

Yes. Bright Futures can be used at any public university or state college in Florida, including UF, FSU, UCF, USF, and all 28 state colleges. It can also be applied to certain private Florida institutions, though the award amount may differ. The scholarship covers tuition only — not room, board, or fees.

The University of Florida's middle 50% SAT range is 1330–1470, with an average admitted SAT of 1390. UF's acceptance rate has dropped to around 24%, with over 91,000 applications in 2024. While there is no official SAT cutoff, scoring below the mid-50% range makes admission significantly more competitive.

Florida State University's middle 50% SAT range is 1260–1400, with an average admitted SAT around 1340. FSU's acceptance rate is approximately 30%. FSU received over 87,000 applications in 2024, making it increasingly selective. A score above 1300 puts your student in a competitive position.

Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) is the top tier — it requires a 1330 SAT, 3.5 GPA, and 100 service hours, and covers 100% of tuition ($25,200 over 4 years). Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) is the second tier — it requires a 1190 SAT, 3.0 GPA, and 75 service hours, and covers 75% of tuition ($18,900 over 4 years). The only differences are the SAT, GPA, and service hour minimums. Both are renewable for up to 4 years if students maintain a minimum college GPA.

You need 100 community service or paid work hours for Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) and 75 hours for Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS). Hours must be completed by high school graduation. They can include volunteer work, paid employment, or a combination of both. Students should start logging hours early — waiting until senior year makes it difficult to reach 100.

Yes. Florida uses your highest SAT composite score (superscore) for Bright Futures eligibility. That means if you score 680 Math on one test and 700 Reading & Writing on another, Bright Futures uses the 1380 combined. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the SAT, and you can submit scores from any test date before the August 31 deadline.

If your student's SAT score or GPA falls short, there's still time. Most students improve 100–200 points with structured SAT preparation. Start by using the calculator above to see exactly how far your teen is from qualifying, then focus on the specific gap — whether that's SAT score, GPA, or service hours. Students in 9th–11th grade have multiple SAT attempts remaining. Even seniors can retake through June of their graduation year.

Bright Futures has clear, objective requirements — it's not holistic like college admissions. If your student hits the SAT score, GPA, and service hours, they qualify. There's no essay, interview, or subjective review. That makes it one of the most predictable scholarships in the country. The challenge is reaching the score thresholds, especially the 1330 SAT for full tuition coverage — but that's a gap that SAT prep directly addresses.