Hours, GPA and test scores at a glance
| Award | Weighted GPA | ACT / CLT / SAT, 2026-27 grads | 2027-28 grads | Volunteer hours | Or paid work hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) | 3.50 | 29 / 95 / 1330 | 29 / 96 / 1350 | 100 | 100 |
| Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) | 3.00 | 24 / 82 / 1190 | 25 / 83 / 1200 | 75 | 100 |
Students must earn the required volunteer service hours, 100 paid work hours, or a combination that totals at least 100 hours. For example, an FMS student could finish with 75 volunteer hours, or with 40 volunteer hours plus 60 paid hours.
Rules students miss
- Deadline: hours must be done by high school graduation, not by the FFAA deadline.
- School approval: your school documents and approves the hours, often on its own form with a supervisor signature.
- Test date: qualifying ACT, CLT or SAT scores must come from tests taken by August 31 of your graduation year.
- Application: submit the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) in senior year; it opens October 1.
A pace that works
100 hours over four years is about 25 hours a year, or 30 minutes a week. Start in 9th grade and you will finish before senior year, when applications and exams take over.
How to document your hours
- Log the same day: date, organization, what you did, hours, and whether it was volunteer or paid.
- Get a supervisor signature or email confirmation for each entry.
- Keep volunteer and paid totals separate so you can show which path you met.
- Turn in your school's form early and keep a copy for yourself.
Free printable Bright Futures hours log
Download the Bright Futures volunteer and work hours log (PDF). It has 16 entries with a volunteer or paid column, supervisor signatures, separate totals and student and parent signature lines.
Or track it online, free
In My Award Tracker, pick the Bright Futures goal (Academic Scholars, Medallion Scholars or Gold Seal CAPE). You see the hours left and the weekly pace you need, supervisors confirm your hours by email, and you can print an hours form with every verified entry for your counselor.
Frequently asked questions
How many volunteer hours do you need for Bright Futures?
Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) need 100 volunteer service hours. Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) need 75. Either award can instead use 100 paid work hours, or a combination of volunteer and paid hours that totals at least 100.
Can paid work count for Bright Futures?
Yes. 100 paid work hours meet the requirement for FAS and FMS, and volunteer and paid hours can be combined to reach 100 total hours.
When do the hours have to be done?
By high school graduation. Your school must document and approve them, so turn in your hours form to your counselor well before your senior spring.
What test scores does Bright Futures require?
For 2026-27 graduates: FAS needs ACT 29, CLT 95 or SAT 1330; FMS needs ACT 24, CLT 82 or SAT 1190. For 2027-28 graduates: FAS 29 / 96 / 1350 and FMS 25 / 83 / 1200. Tests must be taken by August 31 of the graduation year.
What about the Gold Seal scholarships?
Gold Seal CAPE and Gold Seal Vocational have their own hour requirements, which have changed for students who entered 9th grade in 2024-25 or later. Check the current chart on Florida Student Financial Aid and with your counselor.
How do I apply?
Submit the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) during your senior year; it is open from October 1 and must be submitted by August 31 after graduation.