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Bright Futures Application Instructions

Bright Futures Application Instructions

Class of 2026,

If you are aiming to earn Bright Futures Scholarship eligibility, please create your Bright Futures account as soon as the application window opens on October 1st. The process takes less than 15 minutes. See the instructions below. 

Bright Futures Table

 

Bright Futures Application Window: October 1st to August 31st 

 

  • Create your Bright Futures account. NO ACCOUNT, NO MONEY! 
  • Use your SSN and personal email address.
  • Save your login information – (tip: take a picture with your phone).
  • For now, pick a random date in late May as your graduation date. The official graduation date will be released around winter break. 
  • Make sure to click Submit at the end.

Send your official single-sitting test score(s) to one of Florida’s public state universities, such as UCF, FSU, or USF. If you need to superscore with two sets of scores, send both sets. Pay and send scores directly from collegeboard.org, act.org, or cltexam.com.

Submit your logs and reflection essay to your counselor by May 1st.

Key Dates:

Before Winter Break: Submit your logs and essay if you plan to start college in the summer term.  If these items are not submitted, your BF funds won’t be ready for disbursement for the summer term.

January: Transcripts will be sent to the BF by the district.

March: Early Evaluation results will be posted in your Bright Futures account.

May 1st: Logs and one-page reflection essay due to your counselor.

June: Final transcripts will be sent to the BF for the final evaluation.

August: Final Evaluation results posted in your Bright Futures account

August 31st: Deadline to create your Bright Futures account. NO ACCOUNT, NO MONEY!

August 31st: (End of testing window): Pending last test dates are ACT 7/11/26, SAT 8/15/26, and pending CLT on 6/11/26.

Important Links: 

Bright Futures Create Account

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Answer 1: Use the Skyward web version. You can check your hours under Student Info to see if they have been recorded on your transcript.

  • Answer 2: Starting in mid-January, the district will begin uploading seniors' transcripts with Semester 1 grades and your recorded hours. Logs and essays submitted after this upload won’t be included in your early evaluation in March. It can be frustrating to see your Bright Futures account showing you as INELIGIBLE due to missing hours until the final evaluation. The next and last transcript upload for final transcripts and recorded hours will occur in June.

  • Answer 3: You will select a list of universities or colleges in your BF account to grant them access to your BF account.  

  • Answer 4: It will still be in your best interest to create your BF account to claim funding. If you decide to transfer back to Florida, you can still access the BF funding you earn up to 5 years after your high school graduation date.

  • Answer 5: Yes, you can use your BF scholarship at in-state private institutions in Florida. The amount disbursed will be based on the BF private award amount formula. However, you will need to cover any difference between the BF funding and the total cost of attendance at the private institution.