<p>Could someone explain the Bright Futures awards to me please? My stupid school doesn't tell us anything and my guidance counselors have been MIA lately..</p>
<p>So I know there are 3 possible awards: FAS (29 ACT), FMS (26 ACT), and GVS. The first TWO (??) pay 100% of tuition? whaaat? so why are they different awards?</p>
<p>I don't know..so tution is the only thing they cover? nothing else?</p>
<p>Explain them to me as if I were 10 years old please and thank you because I just don't get it.</p>
<p>No bright futures pays 100% of tuition. Each level pays a certain amount per credit hour. FAS, the highest, pays $112, I believe, which depending on the school is about half. GVS is for vocational schools. If you are going to a standard university, it doesn’t apply. </p>
<p>Essentially, you can use Bright Futures for any college expenses. Tuition first usually. </p>
<p>The higher award was $103 per credit last year, the lower (ACT 26) award was $77 per credit. You must use it in Florida, public or private school.</p>
<p>There are many other requirements too like service hours, foreign language, gpa. You can fill out the application online, but your guidance office must send in some information. Get on them.</p>
<p>The highest award, the FAS, does cover tuition, however, because the universities have been able to add on so many fees, that top Bright Futures only covers half of your cost per credit. The differences between the FAS and FMS are based on GPA and volunteer hours (FAS 3.5 and 100 hrs, FMS 3.0 and 75 hours.)</p>
<p>If you started junior high the same year as my oldest (2008) you probably were told that Bright Futures was going to cover everything. Well, the guidance counselors did not anticipate all of the changes to Bright Futures. With all of the added fees and then the new tuition differentials, Bright Futures still covers 100% of 120 credit hours - but only that portion of the cost that is called “tuition.”</p>
<p>Take a look at the chart from UCF below, You will see that tuition at UCF is $105.07 per credit hour. Well, Bright Futures will pay for that at the rates for each level of the award (chart below.) But the full cost of one credit hour at UCF is $210.57 - so you will have to pay the remaining $105.50 per credit hour.</p>
<p>Of course, different award amounts based on where you choose to go to school (whether university or community college.)</p>
<p>And your school should have been asking you to turn in your volunteer hours each year, because they have to sign on off on those hours and submit those hours directly to the program.</p>
You really need to get on them. This time is a busy year for GCs with standardized tests and scheduling. You need to make an appointment with your guidance counselor THIS WEEK and express interest in Bright Futures. Missing out on this opportunity would be wasting $12,360. Don’t hesitate. </p>