Every year, thousands of Florida high school students worry about being financially able to pursue their dream careers after they graduate. For many students and their families, financial feasibility plays a major part when they are deciding whether to pursue secondary education or move straight into the workforce.
Florida’s high-achieving high school students may benefit from a Bright Futures Scholarship, which provides scholarships based on academic merit and can cover up to 100% of tuition and fees at one of Florida’s public postsecondary institutions, including vocational and trade schools.
The Florida Lottery (Lottery) is deeply committed to positively impacting Floridians through its substantial investments in education and workforce development.
Since 1988, the Lottery has generated more than $46 billion to benefit education at every level – from kindergarten to high school and even into college and vocational school – giving students that extra support to help them achieve their educational and career goals.
Of that $46 billion, more than $8 billion has gone to the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, which has helped almost one million Florida high school students achieve their dreams of pursuing postsecondary education.
Funding isn’t the only way the Lottery supports education. It also collaborates with other education-minded organizations – such as the Florida College Access Network (FCAN) – to promote a college-going culture by increasing college access through its program.
In 2019, FCAN and its work were recognized in Florida statute for supporting the state’s SAIL to 60 goal, aiming for 60% of working-aged adults to hold high-quality degrees, credentials, and training by 2030. Since then, FCAN has led a collaborative movement to ensure every Floridian achieves postsecondary education and rewarding careers.
Currently, 54.5% of Florida residents have met the mark, but not all communities are represented. There remains a gap, highlighting the significance of the Bright Futures program in helping students achieve their educational goals by making college more affordable. Despite successes, only about half of Florida’s population holds a high-value postsecondary certificate, degree, or credential. Additionally, Black and Hispanic or Latino Floridians significantly trail white Floridians in attaining a degree. As these groups are projected to form the majority of the workforce by 2030, closing this attainment gap is critical.
The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship, primarily funded by the Lottery, plays a pivotal role in this mission by making college more accessible, helping students achieve their dreams, and supporting the state’s economic future.
We would like to thank the Florida Lottery for sponsoring this year’s Talent Strong Florida Summit—Access for All.
To view the complete list of requirements for each Bright Futures award, please refer to the Bright Futures Student Handbook.