Documenting Community Service for a Bright Futures Scholarship
Students enrolled in our High School Diploma Program who are seeking a Bright Futures Scholarship are responsible for maintaining an accurate account of the community service hours completed during high school. The number of hours that must be completed vary by scholarship. Please note that community service is volunteer work, and there are specific rules governing how community service hours may be earned.
Community Service Requirements
All initial Bright Futures Scholarship applicants must have a specified number of documented community service hours. The service hours are completed during high school only and are documented in writing. The required number of completed hours depends on the award. No waivers of this requirement can be granted. The current number of hours needed to meet the initial eligibility requirements is as follows:
| Award | Requirement* |
|---|---|
| Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS) | Completion of 100 hours of community service |
| Florida Medallion Scholars Award (FMS) | Completion of 75 hours of community service |
| Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award (GSV) | Completion of 30 hours of community service |
| Gold Seal CAPE Scholars Award (GSC) | Completion of 30 hours of community service |
| *These requirements are subject to change. Visit https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/SAPBFMAIN/SAPBFMAIN for more information. | |
Documenting Community Service Hours
Community Service hours must be documented in writing, and the document must be signed by the student, the student's parent or guardian, and a representative of the organization for which the student performed the service. This may be done in one of two ways:
- The organization where the community service hours were earned may provide documentation on the organization's letterhead to include the number of hours and dates of service completed; or
- An adult supervisor for the organization may sign a community service record that includes the name and phone number of the organization, the date of service, a description of the service provided, and the number of hours completed. Community service may be documented on the following forms:
- Community Service Record (for a single organization)
- Community Service Record (for multiple organizations)
Rules to Remember
- Community service hours must be completed during high school and by high school graduation.
- Community service hours may not benefit the student financially or materially, or be service to family members, defined as: parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and spouses, including all step relations.
- Community service hours may not be earned for service provided as a result of court action.
Places to Volunteer
Wondering where community service hours can be earned? Here are just a few of many organizations looking for volunteers.
| American Red Cross | Libraries |
| Animal Shelters / Humane Societies | Make-A-Wish Foundation of America |
| Aquariums (MOTE Marine Laboratory and Aquarium) | Nursing Homes / Assisted Living Facilities |
| Botanical Gardens (Flamingo Gardens, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens) | Ronald McDonald House |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of America | Special Olympics Florida |
| Florida State Parks | Teen Court |
| Food Banks | Wildlife Sanctuaries |
| Habitat for Humanity | YMCA |
| Hospitals | Zoos |
Things to Note
If your child is enrolled in our High School Diploma Program, your child's completed hours will be recorded on his or her official transcript. You will need to send us your child's community service records for verification. (Please keep a copy for your records.)
These requirements are subject to change with each legislative session. It is your responsibility to be aware of the Bright Futures Scholarship program requirements. For more information and to find out what rules apply to a specific graduation year, please visit https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/SAPBFMAIN/SAPBFMAIN.
