
The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship awarded to students who demonstrate high academic achievement in high school. The scholarship provides financial assistance for students pursuing higher education at institutions such as the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida, and Florida State University. While the scholarship covers a significant portion of tuition and fees, it is important to understand what expenses are not covered. One common question among students is whether Bright Futures pays for student health insurance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of scholarship | Merit award based on high school academic achievement |
| Scholarship provider | Florida Department of Education |
| Eligibility | Students must meet basic eligibility requirements to receive either the Academic Scholarship or the Medallion Scholarship |
| Application process | Submit a Florida Financial Aid Application by August 31 after high school graduation |
| Award amount | Florida Academic Scholars: 100% of tuition and applicable fees; Florida Medallion Scholars: 75% of tuition and applicable fees |
| Applicable fees | Activity and service fee, health fee, athletic fee, financial aid fee, capital improvement fee, campus access/transportation fee, technology fee, tuition differential fee |
| Credit hour requirement | Enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per term |
| Award calculation | $212.71 per credit hour for Florida Academic Scholars; $159.21 per credit hour for Florida Medallion Scholars |
| Additional costs | Does not cover material and supply fees, electronic and physical book subscriptions, or online course fees |
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Bright Futures covers health fees
The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship is a merit-based award for students with high academic achievement. The scholarship covers health fees, but it is important to note that there are different types of awards and eligibility requirements that may impact the extent of the health fee coverage.
The Florida Academic Scholars Award, also known as the 100% Bright Futures Scholarship, covers 100% of tuition and applicable fees, which include health fees. This award is given to students with the highest academic rankings in their county. However, it is important to note that this award does not cover all additional costs, such as online course fees or lab fees.
The Florida Medallion Scholars Award is another type of Bright Futures Scholarship. This award provides funding for up to five years from high school graduation towards the completion of a first baccalaureate degree. Medallion Scholars receive an award amount equal to 75% of tuition and applicable fees, which include health fees.
To be eligible for the Bright Futures Scholarship, students must apply through the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) with the Florida Department of Education and meet certain academic requirements. The scholarship is available to students enrolled in at least halftime in any State of Florida university or college.
In summary, the Bright Futures Scholarship covers health fees, but the level of coverage depends on the specific award and eligibility requirements. Students should carefully review the terms and conditions of the scholarship to understand the extent of their health fee coverage.
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It doesn't cover health insurance
The Bright Futures Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship awarded to Florida high school graduates for high academic achievement. The scholarship is funded by the State of Florida and is available to students enrolled at any Florida university or college.
While the scholarship covers a range of fees, it does not cover health insurance. The scholarship covers 100% of tuition and a comprehensive list of applicable fees, including health fees, athletic fees, financial aid fees, capital improvement fees, campus access/transportation fees, technology fees, and tuition differential fees. However, it is important to note that the scholarship does not include the cost of health insurance.
The Bright Futures Scholarship provides a significant financial benefit to students by covering tuition and specific fees associated with their education. The health fee, for example, grants access to on-campus health services, such as counseling and wellness centers, promoting affordable and accessible healthcare for students. Nevertheless, it is important for students to understand that they are responsible for securing their own health insurance coverage, as this is not included in the scholarship.
Students are encouraged to explore alternative options to ensure they have adequate health insurance coverage during their studies. This may include purchasing a separate health insurance plan or utilizing services provided by the university's health centers, which are often covered by the health fee. It is recommended that students review the details of their scholarship and the available health services on campus to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare coverage.
In summary, while the Bright Futures Scholarship provides comprehensive support for tuition and specific fees, it does not include health insurance coverage. Students are advised to consider their health insurance needs and explore alternative options to ensure they have access to the necessary healthcare services during their academic journey.
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Students must submit insurance info to avoid charges
Students who already have health insurance and want to waive the Student Health Insurance Plan must submit their current plan information for review by their university's health insurance provider. For example, at NJIT, students must submit their current plan information for review by United Healthcare. At Columbia University, students must submit their current plan information for review by Aetna Pharmacy Management.
Students at NJIT must submit a waiver every academic year if they have their own coverage and want to waive the NJIT Student Health Insurance Plan. Students at FSU must also update their health insurance waiver information annually or if their current policy expires.
Students at NJIT who are enrolled in a fully online program or registered exclusively in online courses for the semester may not qualify for the Student Health Insurance. Students who are not automatically charged for Student Health Insurance and want to obtain the school's coverage may apply and pay for it directly through United Healthcare.
Students at FSU who are not interested in the Student Health Insurance Policy but still need to obtain health insurance can reach out to Big Bend AHEC at bigbendahec.org or by phone at (850) 224-1177 to speak to a certified health insurance navigator for more information about obtaining a health insurance policy.
Students at Columbia University who have lost insurance coverage after the Student Health Insurance Plan effective date must upload the following documents through their Patient Portal to request enrollment: the completed QLE Petition form and proof of termination letter from their previous insurance plan.
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Bright Futures covers other fees
The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship is a merit award based on high school academic achievement. The scholarship covers tuition fees for eligible students. However, there are additional fees that students may have to pay, and it is unclear whether Bright Futures covers these. These fees include a health fee, athletic fee, financial aid fee, and distance learning fee.
Bright Futures covers tuition fees for students with 100% Bright Futures eligibility. Students with this level of eligibility will have their tuition fees covered for up to five years or a maximum of 150 credit hours. They may also receive a small sum of around $250-$500, which can be used for textbook purchases.
The Bright Futures Scholarship also provides funding for summer terms. Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) students will receive an award that covers 100% of tuition and applicable fees for the summer term. Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) students will receive an award that covers 75% of tuition and fees. To receive summer funding, students must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours across all summer sessions.
Students who withdraw from classes or drop them after the designated period may have to repay their Bright Futures funding for those classes. A late payment fee of $100 will be applied if payment is not received by the due date. Students with verifiable illnesses or emergencies may appeal the repayment requirement by completing the necessary forms and providing supporting documentation.
While Bright Futures covers tuition fees and some applicable fees, it is important for students to be aware of any additional fees that may not be covered by the scholarship. These fees can include special fees for online courses, housing, or other charges. Students should consult with their university's financial aid office to understand the specific fees associated with their program and clarify which fees are covered by Bright Futures.
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It doesn't cover all fees
The Bright Futures Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship awarded to Florida high school graduates for high academic achievement. The scholarship is sponsored by the State of Florida and is available to students enrolled at any Florida university or college. The scholarship covers tuition fees and other applicable fees such as health fees, athletic fees, financial aid fees, and technology fees.
However, it's important to note that the Bright Futures Scholarship does not cover all fees associated with a student's education. There are several additional costs that students may need to pay out of pocket. For example, at Florida State University, the scholarship does not cover the $2 per credit hour student facilities use fee, the $20 per semester student facilities use fee, or the $5 per semester FSUCard term fee. Similarly, at the University of Central Florida, students may be responsible for additional costs such as material and supply fees, online course fees, and lab fees.
Furthermore, students who withdraw or drop classes may be required to repay the cost of those courses to renew their Bright Futures Scholarship for the subsequent academic year. Failure to do so may result in a hold on registration, a late payment fee, and a negative impact on future eligibility for the scholarship. Students are also responsible for meeting registration and fee payment deadlines, as well as ensuring they are actively enrolled in the required number of credit hours.
While the Bright Futures Scholarship provides significant financial support to eligible students, it is important for recipients to be aware of the fees that are not covered by the scholarship. These additional costs can add up, and students may need to explore alternative sources of financial aid or scholarships to cover all their educational expenses.
Additionally, students with the 100% Bright Futures Scholarship may still have to pay for certain health services provided on campus, such as counseling and wellness centers. These services are often included in the "health fee" that is charged separately. Students with insurance are advised to submit proof of insurance to the school to avoid being charged for school health insurance.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bright Futures Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship awarded to students based on high school academic achievement.
The Bright Futures Scholarship does not explicitly mention covering health insurance. However, it does include a “health fee” among its applicable fees. This fee may contribute to health services on campus, but it is unclear if it covers the full cost of student health insurance.
The Bright Futures Scholarship covers tuition and various applicable fees, including activity and service fees, athletic fees, financial aid fees, capital improvement fees, campus access/transportation fees, technology fees, and tuition differential fees.
The award amount varies depending on the type of scholarship. The Florida Academic Scholars Award, also known as 100% Bright Futures, covers 100% of tuition and applicable fees, which equates to $212.71 to $213.55 per credit hour. The Florida Medallion Scholars Award provides 75% of tuition and applicable fees, resulting in $159.21 per credit hour.
Students apply for the Bright Futures Scholarship by submitting a Florida Financial Aid Application during their last year in high school, specifically after December 1 and before graduation. The application deadline is August 31 after high school graduation.











































