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Bright Futures GPA Calculator
Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship uses its own GPA, not the one on your transcript. The state recalculates a weighted, unrounded GPA over the 16 college-preparatory credits: 4 English, 4 math (Algebra I or higher), 3 natural science, 3 social science and 2 credits of one world language. Enter those courses with their letter grade, credits and type. The calculator returns your Bright Futures GPA and checks it against the Florida Academic Scholars (FAS) and Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) requirements.
The method follows Chapter 1 of the 2026-27 Bright Futures Student Handbook (Florida Department of Education, Office of Student Financial Assistance). An A is 4 points, B 3, C 2, D 1 and F 0. AP, Pre-IB, IB, Pre-AICE, AICE, Honors and academic dual-enrollment courses add 0.50 per full-year credit (0.25 per semester course), so an A in AP Biology counts 4.50. The GPA is cut to two decimals and never rounded up. If you need to raise it, the handbook also allows two extra credits from these academic areas or from AP, IB or AICE fine arts courses.
Worked example (the default): eight full-year credits earn 30.0 quality points, so 30.0 ÷ 8 = 3.75. That clears the 3.00 FMS bar but not the full FAS check, because a 1290 SAT is below the 1330 FAS score for 2026-27 graduates.
Result and step-by-step working
8 credits · meets the FMS (Medallion Scholars) checks below
| Course | Grade | Credits | Weighted? | Points | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English 3 Honors | A | 1 | +0.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 |
| AP Precalculus | B | 1 | +0.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Chemistry | A | 1 | — | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| US History | B | 1 | — | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Spanish 2 | A | 1 | — | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| AP Biology | B | 1 | +0.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Geometry Honors | A | 1 | +0.50 | 4.50 | 4.50 |
| English 2 | B | 1 | — | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Requirement (2026-27 graduates) | Florida Academic Scholars | Florida Medallion Scholars |
|---|---|---|
| Weighted GPA | 3.50 → Yes | 3.00 → Yes |
| Test score (any one). Yours: SAT 1290 | ACT 29 / CLT 95 / SAT 1330 → No | ACT 24 / CLT 82 / SAT 1190 → Yes |
| Hours. Yours: 80 volunteer + 0 paid | ||
| Service / work hours | 100 total → No | 75 volunteer or 100 total → Yes |
- Points per gradeA = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0 (plus and minus are not used). AP, IB, AICE, Pre-IB, Pre-AICE, Honors and academic dual-enrollment courses add 0.50 per full-year credit (0.25 per semester course).
- Quality pointsSum of points × credits = 30.00 over 8 credits.
- Divide and cut to two decimals30.00 ÷ 8 = 3.75 → 3.75. The state does not round up, so 3.499 counts as 3.49.
Bright Futures FAS and FMS requirements
| Requirement | FAS | FMS |
|---|---|---|
| Weighted GPA (16 credits) | 3.50 | 3.00 |
| Test, 2026-27 graduates (ACT/CLT/SAT) | 29 / 95 / 1330 | 24 / 82 / 1190 |
| Test, 2027-28 graduates (ACT/CLT/SAT) | 29 / 96 / 1350 | 25 / 83 / 1200 |
| Hours | 100 volunteer, paid work or a mix | 75 volunteer, or 100 paid work or a mix |
Source: 2026-27 Bright Futures Student Handbook, Chapter 1 (Florida Department of Education). Requirements change by graduating class, so confirm yours with your school counselor.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Bright Futures use plus and minus grades?
- The handbook describes the scale as A = 4.00 quality points (4.50 when weighted) and lists no separate values for plus or minus grades, so this calculator counts a B+ or B− as a B.
- Which classes count toward the Bright Futures GPA?
- Only the 16 college-preparatory credits in English, math, natural science, social science and world language. Electives such as PE or art do not count. The one exception is that up to two extra credits in those academic areas, or AP, IB or AICE fine arts courses, may be added to raise the GPA.
- Is the Bright Futures GPA rounded?
- No. It is calculated to two decimal places without rounding, so a 3.499 counts as 3.49 and does not meet the 3.50 FAS requirement.
- How is the ACT composite worked out for Bright Futures?
- From the 2025-26 graduating class the ACT science section is optional. The state averages English, math and reading (and separately all four sections if science was taken), uses the higher result, rounds .50 and above up, and takes the best score in each section across sittings.
- Does an F in an AP class get the extra 0.50?
- The handbook does not address this case. This calculator gives an F no weighting. That is the cautious choice, so check with your counselor if it matters.
Last reviewed: October 9, 2026. Calculations run in your browser; nothing you enter is sent anywhere.