Documenting Volunteer Service
Students enrolled in our High School Diploma Program who are seeking a Bright Futures Scholarship are responsible for maintaining an accurate account of the volunteer service hours completed during high school. The number of hours that must be completed vary by scholarship, and specific rules apply.
Service Hour Requirements
All initial Bright Futures Scholarship applicants must have a specified number of documented volunteer service hours. Service hours are completed during high school and must be 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 |
| Florida Medallion Scholars Award (FMS) | Completion of 75 hours |
| Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award (GSV) | Completion of 30 hours |
| Gold Seal CAPE Scholars Award (GSC) | Completion of 30 hours |
| *These requirements are subject to change. Visit https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/SAPBFMAIN/SAPBFMAIN for more information. | |
Documenting Volunteer Service
Students must identify a social or civic issue or professional area of interest, develop a plan for personal involvement in addressing the issue or learning about the area of interest, and evaluate and reflect upon their experience. 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.
Please download our Program of Volunteer Service Work packet for the required documents. The Program Approval form is used to identify and plan the program of volunteer service work and is submitted it to us for approval. The Volunteer Service Record is used to document service hours. (Organizations may indicate the dates of service and number of completed service hours on the organization's letterhead, and students may attach it to the Volunteer Service Record in lieu of listing out the hours on the service log.) The Evaluation and Reflection form is completed on completion of the volunteer program.
Rules to Remember
- Volunteer service hours must be completed during high school and by high school graduation.
- Volunteer service hours include, but are not limited to, internships (business or government), work for nonprofit organizations, and activities performed on behalf of public office candidates.
- Students may not receive remuneration or academic credit for service work performed.
- Service hours may not be for service to family members.
- Service hours may not be earned for service provided as a result of court action.
Places to Volunteer
Here are just a few of many organizations looking for volunteers.
- American Red Cross
- Animal Shelters / Humane Societies
- Aquariums
- Botanical Gardens
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America
- Florida State Parks
- Food Banks
- Habitat for Humanity
- Hospitals
- Libraries
- Make-A-Wish Foundation of America
- Nursing Homes / Assisted Living Facilities
- Ronald McDonald House
- Salvation Army
- Special Olympics Florida
- Teen Court
- Wildlife Sanctuaries
- Zoos
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.
