Bright Futures Scholarship

9/23/2021

Bright Futures is a college scholarship funded by the state of Florida using a portion of the money collected from Florida's lottery. Using some of the money for college was part of how legislators got enough to agree to have a lottery decades ago. The scholarship was also part of an effort to end Florida's "brain drain" caused by so many Florida students leaving for colleges out of state and then never returning. Homeschool students are eligible for this scholarship--

in fact, more than a decade ago, Palm Beach County bragged on its website that it had the highest number of home education students in the state earning the Bright Futures scholarship.

What's required to get this scholarship that pays for college tuition (or a portion of it)?

For the latest most accurate information search online for the latest Bright Futures Handbook.
2022-2023 Bright Futures Handbook.

Currently, the rules differ for umbrella school students and for home education students. Most choose to go the home education route as it is easier to qualify, mostly because private school students (umbrella school students are private school students) must show a transcript with classes meeting Bright Futures standards. Home Education students do not have to show a transcript nor show certain courses were taken nor prove a certain GPA.

Home Education Students and Bright Futures

1. Time in home education
Must be home education students for all of 12th grade and at least the last part of 11th grade. (Otherwise, students can still aim for Bright Futures under the alternate process which requires taking the GED test.)

2. Community Service hours
Students must earn at least 75 hours for the lower level of scholarship or 100 hours for the higher level with appropriate documentation of all the hours to be given to the Home Education Liaison in the senior year after accounts with Federal Financial Aid and Florida Financial Aid are set up.
Documentation doesn't have to be on an official form. Many organizations can provide the information on their letterhead; some prefer that the parent give them a form. (The latest Bright Futures Handbook requires organization letterhead; if the organization wants you to provide a form, ask if you can copy one onto their letterhead or copy and paste their logo on a form for them to use.) For each date, list the hours served and the service done, the name of the person supervising with their signature and their contact information (phone number and email address). The name of the organization should be clearly indicated as well.

Updated June 2022: Newly authorized by Florida's legislature, 100 hours of work, if approved by the Dept of Education, can be used by home education students instead of unpaid community service. Details of how this will work will have to be determined. Reaching out to the local Home Education Contact person in your district is likely the best way to do this.
Also, documentation of community service or work hours must now be signed by the parent and student in addition to the supervisor in the organization that the hours were with.
Update 2023: The CLT exam can now be used instead of the SAT or ACT.

3. Test Scores
The Handbook will list the minimum test scores on the SAT or ACT or the newer CLT. These can be superscored (mixing the best score from each section of test if the test was retaken). Test scores must be sent to one of the 12 large universities in the Florida system or to the Home Education Liaison--usually in the senior year after financial aid accounts are set up.

4. Be Admitted
Be admitted to a College or University or trade school program accepting Bright Futures. If your student is admitted to a college, then the system assumes the homeschooling was good enough to qualify.
Taking some dual enrollment classes or otherwise earning some college credit before graduating high school can help with college admissions--especially to a bigger college, but your student doesn't have to take public school classes (such as FLVS) nor use public school curriculum to get the scholarship. Starting at a smaller community college can be a good way to begin and the scholarship can then transfer with the student.

There's no actual application for the scholarship. If the preceding steps are done, the student can track whether he or she has been granted the Bright Futures Scholarship through the Florida financial aid account.
Keeping grades up once the student is in college helps the student keep the scholarship in future years. The scholarship used to cover books and materials, but that changed in 2020 or 2021, but the scholarship can still be very helpful.

Cheryl Trzasko
FLHomeschoolEvaluations.com

19 Comments

The Trzasko Family

Cheryl & Mark Trzasko
(pronounced Trahs-koh)
have homeschooled their own from the start. Two have graduated high school as homeschoolers with college credit earned already. One is now a public schoolvteacher, and the other has served our country. Our youngest is still learning at home. Cheryl was homeschooled for part of her early education. We are passionate about helping others homeschool and protecting their rights.

Discover us on social media!

Online support Group

We offer a free support group on Facebook for those who want more information.
(No advertisers, please.)
Answer the questions fully to join.

Download to print and use a convenient set of optional portfolio forms

What homeschooling parents have said...

I have found FL Homeschool Evaluations to be very efficient and accommodating. Very knowledgeable in Florida law regarding home education. Non-judgemental and encouraging, allowing parents to maintain control of their child's education. Fairly priced, prompt, good communication. Quick turn around on completed forms. We have been well pleased with our experience" Michelle L.

"Mrs. Cheryl is absolutely amazing. Always there to help answer any questions and helps me and my daughter feel comfortable during evaluation. I recommend her to anyone in Florida." Yesenia

"I am so glad I chose Cheryl to evaluate my children. We finished our first homeschooling year in October, and Cheryl made the process painless, and has made me even more excited to homeschool my kids this year. I was so nervous leading up to the evaluation. But Cheryl is great, and is very informative and to the point. I am so thankful I found her. And will definitely be using her again. Thanks again Mrs. Cheryl!!" Mary

"This was our first year homeschooling in Florida. Cheryl and Mark were very helpful answering questions and helping us through the process. I highly recommend FL Homeschool Evaluations."
Jeremy J.

"I highly recommend Cheryl and Mark Trzasko for your evaluations. We have used them for the past 2 years. They make the whole process so much easier and stress free. They are happy to answer any questions you may have. They are great about getting your evaluation done in a quick and timely manner." Amanda M.

Site updates are typically loaded between 2-3 a.m. Eastern.
We apologize for any inconvenience.

Use the button below to report any broken links.

Report a problem

No, we do not provide testing for the PEP.

PEP testing can be done online at home for certain approved tests. See here for more details

Christina

8/19/2023 08:01:06 am

Do you know if homeschool parents are eligible to receive payments that would normally go to private or public schools?

Cheryl Trzasko

8/21/2023 12:12:36 am

It depends on what you mean by that. We have posted here on the expanded scholarship that can be used to fund students using a new homeschool option called the Personalized Education Program (PEP) which allows parents to get funding--though they don't get it directly. It is put in an account overseen by the Scholarship Funding Organization and the parent can use it to pay for curriculum and other options.

Many long-term homeschool group leaders are wary of this new source of funding. With government funds come government strings.

If you are interested in this funding, you can go to Step Up for Students (AAA scholarships is another scholarship funding organization but they closed applications previously.) for more information.

Carrie Frank

6/28/2024 01:25:12 pm

What level of funding do homeschoolers receive under Bright Futures?

Cheryl Trzasko link

6/28/2024 04:09:01 pm

It depends on the level the student qualifies for. For home education and PEP students, test scores and volunteer/work hours are used to qualify for Bright Futures. If the student's test scores and/or volunteer/work hours are high enough for only the lower level version, that's the level they earn. If the student's test scores and/or volunteer/work hours are high enough for the higher level of Bright Futures, then they earn that.

The test scores needed can be changed each year, so check the Bright Futures latest handbook for the scores needed currently for each level.
See page 7 in the 2023-2024 handbook for the current test score requirements. The 2024-2025 handbook should be out later this year.
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1.pdf

For volunteer/work hours, at least 75 hours are needed for the lower level of Bright Futures and at least 100 hours for the higher level. If a combination of volunteer and work hours are used, the total must be at least 100 hours.
For more information on hours, see page 5 in the 2023-2024 Handbook which is the latest one available at this time: https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1.pdf

Home education and PEP specific information starts on page 8 of the handbook linked above.

Currently, the higher level scholarship--Florida Academic Scholars--covers 100% of tuition at a state college and since universities have higher fees, it may cover a bit less in a university. Florida Medallion Scholars--the lower level--covers 75% of tuition at a Florida state college.

I hope this helps.

Ana Rodriguez

6/3/2025 09:57:05 am

Would accuplacer scores be accepted in place of the tests mentioned?

6/3/2025 01:54:49 pm

I have not seen Accuplacer on the Bright Futures Handbook list. That's where you would check.

Alex O.

6/14/2025 10:42:54 am

Hi,
I came across this post and I understand the requirements mights have changed a bit since we are now in 2025, however, what do you mean by the below comment from your old post:

"There's no actual application for the scholarship. If the preceding steps are done, the student can track whether he or she has been granted the Bright Futures Scholarship through the Florida financial aid account.
Keeping grades up once the student is in college helps the student keep the scholarship in future years. The scholarship used to cover books and materials, but that changed in 2020 or 2021, but the scholarship can still be very helpful."

I ask this because my son is sitting today for the ACT test and I will begin applying for the BFS, however, I might be missing something? He is currently dual enrolled (since 2024), and I thought I would still need to start from scratch to see if he qualifies for the Bright Futures Scholarship.

Please clarify if you can.
Thank you for your informative post!

6/15/2025 01:25:17 am

While there is an application for students who are in schools because school students have to show a transcript that shows specific courses and a minimum GPA, homeschooled students did not have to fill out any application form for the Bright Futures scholarship. As far as I know, this is still true.

If, after setting up Federal and Florida financial aid accounts, a home educated student has submitted copies of documentation for qualifying amounts of community service and/or work hours to the home education contact in the district for verification and has either submitted qualifying test scores to the home education contact or to one of the 12 universities in the Florida college system, and is then accepted as a degree-seeking student by a Florida college or university that accepts the Bright Futures scholarship, the student should automatically be awarded the Bright Futures scholarship.

The PEP students should be able to get the scholarship in the same way except I'm not sure who would verify their community service hours for the financial aid accounts. I don't know if someone at the scholarship funding organization is supposed to verify them or if they can use some of the scholarship money to have a school official verify the hours for them, or if there's some other procedure to follow. FLHEF.org should be able to help parents figure out how the process would work for PEP students.

Liz

8/10/2025 12:10:17 pm

Hi, I have a question regarding testing scores and deadline to submit for BF. I see in their handbook for 2025-2026, deadline for SAT/ACT scores submitted is August 31 of "the graduation year" - does this mean Aug 31 while student is still IN 12th grade, or by Aug 31 AFTER graduation? My child will be finishing her last year of homeschool this school year, and I don't know if I need to submit scores now, or can wait and let her re-test this fall and submit later this year. I can't seem to figure this out, thanks!

8/11/2025 01:35:55 am

By Aug 31 after the student has graduated.

8/11/2025 03:36:24 pm

Thank you!

Yari link

9/28/2025 07:31:57 pm

Hi so I have a question, I’m a Penn Foster high school student which is an online program that is credited here in Florida. And I’m wondering if I can still get a bright futures scholarship and if so, how? Because I have read before that I can but I will have to be registered with my local school district homeschool in other words the home education program.

9/30/2025 04:58:38 pm

Penn Foster is NOT accredited in Florida. It is in another state. It is not a Florida school. This could be a problem for you unless you are also enrolled in a Florida educational program.

If a student is under age 16 and lives in Florida, the student must be enrolled in a Florida school or homeschool program. Out-of-state programs like Penn Foster can be used as curriculum, but they will not meet the compulsory attendance laws of Florida unless the student is also registered in a Florida educational program.

In order to use the homeschool option for the Bright Futures, you will have to be enrolled as a home education or PEP student for all of 12th grade and at least the last part of 11th grade.

Otherwise, you could try for the alternate option with the Bright Futures that allows students who have passed the GED exam and met the other scholarship requirements for school students.

10/1/2025 10:31:06 pm

So what do you recommend I do? Should I register for my county’s home education program or is there any Florida programs that could help me get a bright future scholarship? And also when you said “ GED exam and met the other scholarship requirements for school students”the requirements are like the GPA and like obviously the SAT/ ACT scores and service hours but does that also include the require high school courses?

10/2/2025 10:45:52 pm

You haven't given enough details to be sure how to advise you.

If you are in 11th grade or a lower grade level, having your parent register you as a home education student would make getting the scholarship much easier in future as you won't have to deal with a requirement for a transcript showing certain courses nor a specific GED. As far as I know, those requirements do apply to those using a GED, but you might want to contact the Bright Futures organization to verify whether that's accurate or not as I'm much more familiar with the homeschool option requirements.

If you need further information, I would suggest that putting your information on a public page is not wise. Feel free to email me. Or use this page to set up a consultation if you need more in-depth help:
https://www.flhomeschoolevaluations.com/consultations-and-choice-navigation.html

Michael

10/18/2025 03:42:30 pm

Just moved here in March, but our Senior is in a home school program and was also homeschooled Freshman-first half of Senior year in Colorado. Is there any way to be considered HE/PEP or will we need to go the GED route?

10/19/2025 10:48:19 pm

To be eligible for the homeschooling option for Bright Futures (whether using the home education option or the PEP option), the student must have been officially homeschooled in Florida for all of twelfth grade as well as the last part of 11th grade. Homeschooling in another state won't count.

The Bright Futures scholarship was put into place to keep bright students in Florida back in the 1990s. Students from Florida who went off to college out-of-state tended to stay wherever they went and so Florida lost too many bright students. The scholarship was meant to try to keep them in Florida.

The GED option may be available to your student, but I'm not certain of that given that your student hasn't been a Florida resident for even a year. The Bright Futures Handbook states that the student must be considered a resident of Florida for the educational program registered in--I'm not sure how that translates for a student who takes the GED here after living in Florida for less than a year. You would need to speak to program officials for clarification on that.
This may help:
https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/pdf/bfhandbookchapter1.pdf

Cassandra Adkins

11/24/2025 04:16:54 pm

Hi I have a question because in your comments you say they have to be home schooled for at least a second part of 11th grade and 12th grade. My son is in 11th and we are thinking of pulling him at Christmas to homeschool the second half of 11th and 12th grade when I called the Florida Bright Futures Florida department education they said they were required to be home school enrolled for 2 years all of 11th and 12th grade. So just wondering if this is the case or maybe the rules have changed. Just trying to figure out if he will qualify or not

11/24/2025 08:48:50 pm

1. In my experience, the people who answer the phones don't typically know such details. Dealing with them in writing and being sure you are communicating with the Director of Home Education (Sandy Eggers) rather than some of her staff is important for details like this.

2. I know of no change that would affect the answer to this question. As far as I know, if you start homeschooling your son in Dec. 2025 or January 2026 for the remainder of 11th grade and all of 12th grade, he should be eligible for Bright Futures.
For official verification, reach out to Sandy Eggers via email at [email protected]

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

Cheryl Trzasko