Warrior Wisdom

What Parents need to know:

• The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program is a state-funded scholarship that rewards Florida high school students
• for academic achievement and encourages them to attend a Florida college or university.

Basic Eligibility Requirements:

• The specific requirements for a Bright Futures Scholarship depend on the award level the student is pursuing,
• but there are general qualifications that must be met:
• Be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Earn a standard Florida high school diploma or equivalent.
• Not have been convicted of a felony.
• Be accepted by and enroll in an eligible Florida public or private post-secondary institution.
• Enroll for at least six credit hours per term.

Community Service Hours or Work Hours. Which Is the Best Choice for Me?

Volunteer Service OR Paid Work Hours students must complete a program of volunteer service or, beginning with a high school student graduating in the 2022-2023 academic year and thereafter, paid work, as approved by the district school board, the administrators of a nonpublic school.  Students must earn either the required volunteer service OR paid work hours, but not a combination of both. 

Paid Work Hours:   Paid Work Experience is defined as a job where students earn a weekly or biweekly paycheck and are able to document their work experience through timecards, W-2 statements, or paystubs.  Paid work hours will be recorded on the transcript for the student. Please fill out the Work Paid Hours Form.

Volunteer Hours:  Such volunteer service or paid work Bright Futures Student Handbook: Chapter 15 | Page may include, but is not limited to, a business or governmental internship, work for a nonprofit community service organization, or activities on behalf of a candidate for public office. The hours of volunteer service must be documented in writing, and the document must be signed by the student, the student’s parents or guardian, and a representative of the organization for which the student performed the volunteer service.

AP Tracker

AP Is a Global Credential Policy Search Universities around the world recognize AP when making admission decisions, course requisites, and awarding university credit. 3 out of 4 AP students enrolled in a 4-year college
start school with AP credit. Qualifying AP Exam scores earn university credit in nearly all universities in the United States and Canada, and are recognized in 60 other countries worldwide. Scores of 3 or 4 on AP Exams fulfill admission requirements in many universities in the UK and Europe.

College Readiness:
Develops critical thinking, research, and communication skills essential for higher education.
Academic Rigor:
Demonstrates a strong commitment to intellectual growth and advanced coursework.
College Admissions Advantage:
Helps students stand out on college applications.
Skills Development:
Fosters collaboration, presentation skills, and the ability to approach topics from multiple disciplinary perspectives.
College Credit/Placement:
Depending on the institution, students may earn college credit or advanced placement.

Stand out to colleges. 85% of selective colleges and universities report AP favorably impacts admission. Save time and money in college. Students who take AP courses and exams are more likely than their peers to complete a degree on time.

AP CAPSTONE DIPLOMA: Course Requirements (Class of 2029 and beyond): Three of the four additional AP exams must be in core subjects: Math, Science, History, English

AICE Diploma Tracker

Both Cambridge AS and A Levels are considered college level courses of study, and students passing these examinations with a Cambridge grade of E or higher may receive college credit or advanced standing based on their scores in these examinations from universities throughout the United States and all public universities and
colleges in Florida. Please note that each US university sets its own policy and students are advised to directly contact the admissions office at the university of interest to learn its credit by examination policy for GCE/International AS and A Levels which are also known as “Cambridge AICE” exams. College credit is typically awarded based on each subject and examination grade earned. (Recently, FSU and UF were designated as preeminent research universities, which could affect the acceptance of twelve accelerated course credits.)

AICE Diploma Quick Facts

• Learners have to earn 7 credits (pass 7 exams) to earn the diploma
• The Core, Global Perspectives, is a requirement of the diploma
• Group 4 is optional; max of 2 points allowed
• Must be earned within a 3-year (25 months) consecutive window
• AICE Diploma = Bright Futures (must apply & have 100 hrs in SIS)