Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) — Bright Futures

Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) is another Bright Futures route, with a different academic threshold from FAS. For students graduating in 2027–28 and seeking 2028–29 funding, the handbook sets a 3.00 weighted GPA, 16 college-preparatory credits and a minimum 25 ACT, 83 CLT or 1200 SAT score. Service requirements also differ: 75 hours if the student reports volunteer service only; 100 hours when using paid work or a combination of paid and volunteer hours. Do not mix these figures with FAS or with the 2026–27 graduating cohort.

Submit the Florida Financial Aid Application during senior year, from October 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027 for the cycle described. Create an account in Florida Student Financial Aid, follow OSFA emails, submit the form and check the record. Along with GPA and test scores, students need Florida residency, an eligible diploma, acceptance and enrollment at a participating institution, and at least six non-remedial credits per term. Students who do not begin college right after graduation should review reinstatement rules and the five-year window.

The FMS award varies by institution and program. At public colleges, the 2026–27 table covers 75% of tuition and applicable fees; associate-degree students at Florida College System institutions receive 100% of those charges. Private colleges use a comparable per-hour amount, which may not cover the full price. The college financial-aid office credits the award, subject to hour and duration limits; plan separately for housing, books and food.

Bright Futures’ official site features graduates who describe how state aid helped reduce debt or made more time for internships and college activities. The portal does not clearly assign each testimonial to FMS, so it would be inaccurate to present those outcomes as specific to this tier. To learn your actual package, wait for the state evaluation, ask the college which award level was assigned and request a full cost-and-aid comparison. Keep transcripts, test records, service-hour verification and OSFA messages. FMS may fit students who do not reach FAS, but minimum scores do not guarantee that courses and grades were recorded correctly. Review the weighted GPA Bright Futures calculates—not only the overall report-card average—and ask a counselor to confirm which courses count toward the 16 credits. The handbook ties renewal to attempted college hours and GPA; losing eligibility may require a restoration process. OSFA lists (888) 827-2004 and osfa@fldoe.org; the institution’s financial-aid office confirms award amounts and disbursement.