Students complete an online application in the RFP for the Bright Futures scholarships beginning in December of their senior year. Students and parents may utilize www.facts.org to monitor Bright Futures status beginning their freshman year.

FACTS.org is Florida's official online student advising system. This website is an excellent tool to track student progress toward achieving the Bright Futures scholarships and can be used by students in all grades (and parents, too).

To check Bright Futures Scholarship eligibility, go to www.facts.org and:

1. Click on red box in the middle of the page: "ePEP & High School Academic Evaluations".
2. On the next page, click on "New User? Create Login ID & Password"
3. From this point, follow the instructions to create your student account.
4. Once you have set up your account and logged in, all of your high school classes should be showing. If they are not, there is something wrong with the information you entered, i.e. social security number, birth date, official name, etc.
5. Click on the "HS Evaluations" tab.
6. Then select the "Bright Futures Scholarship Eligibility" tab at the top of the page.
7. The next page will show the various levels of Bright Futures and why the student might not currently be eligible, i.e. test scores missing or too low, GPA too low, missing credits, etc.
8. NOTE-A student has until the end of their senior year to meet all requirements for Bright Futures.

More Florida Bright Futures Scholarship information:

» SENIORS-Check your eligibility status (at www.facts.org ) as soon as possible to determine if scheduling changes need to be made. You may need to take another academic class to boost your GPA or meet credit requirements.

» Meet with your guidance counselor to confirm your schedule and compliance with course requirements. It is your job to know and meet the requirements of the Bright Futures Scholarship Program before high school graduation.

» Confirm with the school that all your personal information is correct. Failure to have correct information such as social security number, address, and date of birth can delay your Bright Futures application.

» Bright Futures only calculates GPA based on the core academic areas (check out www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/bf/ for more info. or pick up a brochure in the Rotary Futures portable-1405).

» Bright Futures will calculate GPA using the highest grades in each area, i.e. 4 highest English grades, 3 highest math grades, 3 highest science, 3 highest social studies, 2 highest foreign language

» To meet the Florida Academic Scholars Award (100% tuition); you must have 1/2 credit from 75 hours of APPROVED community service. Make sure you have an APPROVED volunteer plan prior to beginning any community service hours. For more info., visit the Rotary Futures Program (portable 1405).

» Gold Seal Vocational Scholars is an often overlooked award that students may qualify for if they take the appropriate classes. Gold Seal pays 75% tuition for 2 years but will continue for another 2 years if the student maintains the GPA requirement in college or technical school. Three specific classes in a technical or vocational program are required, and your guidance counselor can help you to schedule the three correct classes. For more info. on the Gold Seal award, go to www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ssfad/home/uamain.htm

» Complete your online Bright Futures application in December of your senior year in the Rotary Futures Program (portable 1405). Only Seniors may complete the application after December 1st. Completing the form early only causes problems in the system.

» Remember, failure to meet ALL Bright Future requirements by graduation day, will forfeit all future eligibility for a Bright Futures Scholarship.

HELPFUL TIPS

Item 1: Social Security Number
Use extra caution to confirm number

Item 3: First Name
Do NOT use nicknames

Item 7: Send Notices to
Have notices sent to both addresses

Item 16: Birth Date
Use extra caution to confirm date

Item 23: Graduation Date
Format date as MM/DD/YY, i.e. 05/23/2003

Item 24: Student Classification

• Freshman w/ previous college work = DE Classes only
  
• Freshman no previous college work = all other students

Item 26: Institution
If undecided, choose the Florida college MOST interested

Check your Bright Futures Scholarship Eligibility on