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Click here to view the official Florida Bright Futures website.
The Florida Academic Scholars (FAS)Award is available
to Students who:
*are designated as National Merit or Achievement Scholars and Finalists or
*are National Hispanic Scholars or
*IB diploma recipients or
*students who have completed the IB curriculum with best composite score of 1270 SAT or 28 ACT (regardless of GPA)
*And who have completed 75 hours of community service in
an approved area.
Please note that due to prevailing economic considerations, awards may differ from
those previously advertised to students. For example, effective January 1, 2008, recipients of the Florida Academic
Scholars Award only a set amount of the actual college tuition at the public state universities.
Points to Remember
1. The Florida Academic Scholarship (Bright Futures), requires a minimum of 75 hours of community service work. If parents
elect not to have their student seek the Florida Academic Scholarship, we must receive a letter from the parent stating this.
2. Students should identify a social problem that interests them and promotes personal involvement.
3. Projects must he specific to Pinellas County.
4. All hours must address same social problem. They may he performed at more than one agency, but all agencies must he
approved by designee (form #2.)
5. Community service work must be approved by designee prior to beginning the experience. Form #3 must he turned in at
the end of each grading period.
6. Must complete 75 hours for Bright Futures by May of Sophomore year in order to begin the required IB CAS project the
summer before the Junior year.
7. To be eligible to receive the Florida Academic Scholarship, students must receive either a 1270 or higher on the SAT
OR the IB Diploma, in addition to the 75 community service hours. For more information go to:
http:www.firn.edu/doe/brfutures/
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions at (727) 669-1131 ext. 201.
Doreen Chonko chonkod@ pcsb.org
Barbara Dirscherl dirscherlb@pcsb.org
What Does Not Qualify?
1. Hours logged prior to designee's approval and signature.
2. Court mandated community service.
3. High school work program, executive internship hours, classroom hours, work: as a teacher assistant or with students
in clubs or groups.
4. Hours at "for Profit" organizations (certain exceptions apply such as nursing homes).
5. Any activity for which the student is compensated either financially or with some other material benefit.
6. Simple, tedious and repetitive work like returning library books to the shelves
7. All forms of duty within the family.
8. Religious duty or any activity which can he interpreted as proselytizing.
9. An activity where there is no leader or responsible adult on site to evaluate and confirm student performance.
10. Any coaching activity (not to be confused with PARC, UPARC and Special Olympics).
11. Tutoring at private schools.
12. Any hours over 40 logged during the summer. (PHUHS requires that at least 35 hours be logged during the school year.)
Community Service Timeline and Procedures
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For the latest information:
Visit the OSFA website (Office of Student Financial Assistance)
"Service learning, a 75 hour requirement of the Bright
Futures Scholarship Program, was meant to fulfill true community needs (homeless shelters, soup kitchens, abuse shelters,
helping the mentally or physically handicapped, hospice, etc.) It was also meant to allow a student to grow and gain a sense
of being a "servant leader" by truly assisting others less fortunate than themselves by making a real difference in improving
the quality of life in Pinellas. It was never meant to be plain volunteerism or a way for organizations to get access to free
student labor."
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Are you having trouble finding a service learning project? The information below might
make your search much easier. Once you decide upon a project, be sure to do the appropriate paperwork and get approval
before you begin the actual volunteer work.
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Mentally/Physically
Challenged Individuals Issues
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Animal Rights and Environmental Issues
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Clearwater Marine Aquarium
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Friends of Strays
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Greyhound Pets of Am.
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Humane Society
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SPCA
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Sun Coast Seabird Society
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Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers
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Mentoring Students
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Big Brothers/Big Sisters
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Boys Club/Girls Club
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CASH
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Peer Connectors
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Public Schools
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Ronald McDonald House
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Need Based/Poverty Issues
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Elderly Citizen Issues
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Assisted Living Facilities
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Delta Society-Pets to Nursing Homes
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Nursing Homes
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Project Pups-Pets to Nursing Homes
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Health Issues
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American Cancer Society
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American Red Cross
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Frances House-HIV
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Free Health Clinics
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HIV Prevention Training
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Hospice
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Hospitals
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Rehabilitation Centers
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Therapeutic Clowning
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Legal Issues
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Teen Court Arbitration
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Voter registration
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Always get approval before beginning your project.
Remember to turn your hours in on time, or they will not be counted.
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Tutoring - At Risk of Failing
Students
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Big Brother/Big Sister
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Boys/Girls Clubs
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Building the Achievement Gap
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Chi Chi Rodriguez Organization
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Hospitals
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Libraries
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Public Schools-Academic Classes
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Recreation Centers
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Ronald McDonald House
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YMCA
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You may also phone the Bright Futures office at
1-888-827-2004
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