State Programs
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
This state program provides lottery-funded scholarships to Florida high school graduates in recognition of high academic achievement. The Florida Department of Education’s Office of Student Financial Assistance selects students, and notification of eligibility is sent to high school graduates in the months following their graduation from high school. Students who receive the Florida Bright Futures Scholarships are financially liable for withdrawals that occur after the end of drop/add in any semester. Recipients will be ineligible for future awards until repayment has been reported to the state by the reporting school.
Please refer to www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/ssfad/PDF/BFHandbookChapter1 for additional eligibility criteria.
There are two levels of Bright Futures Scholarships available for use at JU: Florida Academic Scholars and Florida Medallion Scholars. The University does not participate in the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars program. Each level has specific criteria for both initial eligibility and renewal. However, to be eligible for an initial award from any of these programs, a student must:
- Earn a high school diploma or equivalent
- Be enrolled for at least six semester credit hours
- Not have been found guilty of a felony charge
- Apply for a scholarship during the final semester of high school. High school guidance offices or the Florida Department of Education have applications.
Florida Academic Scholars
To be eligible for Florida Academic Scholars, a student must:
- Have achieved a minimum 3.5 weighted GPA (based on the Statewide Scholarship Weighting System) in the 15 high school credits required for admission to state universities
- Have test scores of at least 1290 SAT Reasoning Test (based on the combined Critical Reading and Mathematics sections only)
- or 29 ACT (excluding the writing section)
- or earn the International Baccalaureate Diploma
- or be named a scholar or finalist in either the National Merit or National Achievement Programs sponsored by the National Merit Corporation
A 3.0 cumulative GPA is required for renewal, but 2.75 or above would allow the student to renew at the level of the Florida Medallion Scholars. Recipients must successfully complete a minimum of 24 credits annually for renewal.
Florida Medallion Scholars
To be eligible for the Florida Medallion Scholars, a student must:
Effective Access to Student Education (EASE)
This grant provides tuition assistance not based on need to Florida residents for attendance at eligible independent nonprofit Florida colleges and universities. Requirements for EASE are:
- Must be a state resident for one year prior to the start of classes and be resident for other than educational purposes
- Must enroll full time; i.e., 12 or more credits per semester. Students must successfully complete a minimum of 12 credits for each semester of award receipt and maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA for renewal.
Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG)
The annual value of the award varies from year to year based on legislative appropriations. The maximum value of the award is $2,610, but individual awards may vary based on availability of funds. This is a need-based grant for Florida residents who meet the state’s eligibility requirements.
Florida Minority Teacher Scholarship
This collaborative performance-based scholarship program between community colleges and private universities and colleges provides a $4,000 scholarship for minority students who are enrolled as juniors or above in a state-approved teacher education program in one of Florida’s public or private universities or colleges. Awards are available to eligible African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American/Pacific Islander and Native American/Alaskan Native students, as well as dislocated military personnel and dislocated defense contractor employees. Initial applicants must complete Form MTES-1, which is available from the Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance or the JU Office of Student Financial Assistance. Students are eligible to receive the award for a maximum of three consecutive years. The Florida Fund for Minority Teachers will notify all applicants nominated for a scholarship of the status of their applications.
State Prepaid Program
Funds paid into State Prepaid College Programs can generally be withdrawn and used for private institutions without penalty.