Bright Futures

Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV)

The Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV) can only be used to fund a career education or certificate program.  Florida high school students who wish to qualify for the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV) award must meet the following initial eligibility requirements:

  • Meet the General Requirements for Bright Futures;  

  • Achieve the required weighted minimum 3.0 GPA in the non-elective high school courses; 

  • Take at least 3 full credits in a single Career and Technical Education program;

  • Achieve the required minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA in the career education courses; 

  • Achieve the required minimum score on the ACT®, SAT®, or Florida Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (P.E.R.T.) exams (see table below); and

  • Complete 30 service hours. College Entrance Exams Exam types cannot be combined; a student must qualify based on each sub-test score for a single exam type.  Sub-test scores from different test dates may be used to meet the test requirement.  Scores taken through June 30 of the student's senior year (for a regular graduate, or January 31 for a mid-year graduate) will be accepted for Bright Futures evaluation.  There is no limit to the number of times a student may retake the test prior to June 30 of the student’s graduation year.   Request test scores be sent to one of Florida’s 12 state universities, Florida state colleges (public community colleges), or public high schools when the student registers for the ACT®/SAT® so that test scores will be sent to the FDOE repository.  Exam Type Sub-test Required Score ACT® English 17 Reading 19 Math 19 SAT®  Reading  440 Math 440 P.E.R.T. (Only applies to the GSV Scholarship) Reading 106 Writing 103 Math 114

Service Hours Students must complete volunteer service hours during high school and by high school graduation.  Service hours may include, but are not limited to, a business or governmental internship, work for a nonprofit community service organization, or activities on behalf of a candidate for public office.  The hours must be documented in writing, and signed by the student, the student's parent or guardian, and a representative of the organization.  Each public school district and private school establishes approved activities and the process for documentation of service hours.

Gold Seal CAPE Scholars (GSC) – New for 2016-17 High School Graduates

The Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars award (GSC) can only be used to fund a career education or certificate program.  Upon completion of an associate in science degree program that articulates to a bachelor of science degree, a GSC Scholar may also receive an award for a maximum of 60 credit hours toward a bachelor of science degree program.  Upon completion of an associate in applied science program, a GSC Scholar may also receive an award for a maximum of 60 credit hours toward a bachelor of applied science degree program. Florida high school students who wish to qualify for the Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars award must meet the following initial eligibility requirements:

  • Meet the General Requirements for Bright Futures;

  • Earn a minimum of 5 postsecondary credit hours through CAPE industry certifications which articulate for college credit; and

  • Complete 30 service hours. Service Hours Students must complete volunteer service hours during high school and by high school graduation.  Service hours may include, but are not limited to, a business or governmental internship, work for a nonprofit community service organization, or activities on behalf of a candidate for public office.  The hours must be documented in writing, and signed by the student, the student's parent or guardian, and a representative of the organization.  Each public school district and private school establishes approved activities and the process for documentation of service hours.