Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars and Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars awards.

The Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award and the Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars award are created within the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program to recognize and reward academic achievement and career preparation by high school students who wish to continue their education.

(1) A student is eligible for a Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award if he or she meets the general eligibility requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and:

(a) Completes at least three high school career and technical education credits. On-the-job training may not be substituted for any of the three required career credits.

(b) Demonstrates readiness for postsecondary education by earning a passing score on the Florida College Entry Level Placement Test or its equivalent as identified by the Department of Education.

(c) Earns a minimum cumulative weighted grade point average of 3.0, as calculated pursuant to s. 1009.531, on all subjects required for a standard high school diploma, excluding elective courses.

(d) Has achieved a minimum unweighted grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in high school career and technical education courses.

(e) Completes at least 30 hours of volunteer service, or 75 hours of volunteer service for students entering grade 9 in the 2024-2025 school year and thereafter, or 100 hours of paid work, approved by the district school board, the administrators of a nonpublic school, or the Department of Education for home education program students, or 100 hours of a combination of both. The student may identify a social or civic issue or a professional area that interests him or her and develop a plan for his or her personal involvement in addressing the issue or learning about the area. The student must, through papers or other presentations, evaluate and reflect upon his or her volunteer service or paid work experience. Such volunteer service or paid work may include, but is not limited to, a business or governmental internship, work for a nonprofit community service organization, or activities on behalf of a candidate for public office. The hours of volunteer service or paid work must be documented in writing, and the document must be signed by the student, the student’s parent or guardian, and a representative of the organization for which the student performed the volunteer service or paid work.

(2) A student is eligible for a Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars award if he or she meets the general eligibility requirements for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program, and the student:

(a) Earns a minimum of 5 postsecondary credit hours through CAPE industry certifications approved pursuant to s. 1008.44 which articulate for college credit; and

(b) Completes at least 30 hours of volunteer service, or 75 hours of volunteer service for students entering grade 9 in the 2024-2025 school year and thereafter, or 100 hours of paid work, approved by the district school board, the administrators of a nonpublic school, or the Department of Education for home education program students, or 100 hours of a combination of both. The student may identify a social or civic issue or a professional area that interests him or her and develop a plan for his or her personal involvement in addressing the issue or learning about the area. The student must, through papers or other presentations, evaluate and reflect upon his or her experience. Such volunteer service or paid work may include, but is not limited to, a business or governmental internship, work for a nonprofit community service organization, or activities on behalf of a candidate for public office. The hours of volunteer service or paid work must be documented in writing, and the document must be signed by the student, the student’s parent or guardian, and a representative of the organization for which the student performed the volunteer service or paid work.

(3) A Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholar or a Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholar who is enrolled in a public or nonpublic postsecondary education institution is eligible for an award equal to the amount specified in the General Appropriations Act to assist with the payment of educational expenses.

(4) To be eligible for a renewal award as a Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholar or a Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholar, a student must maintain the equivalent of a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale with an opportunity for restoration one time as provided in this chapter.

(5)(a) A student who is eligible may earn a Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship for a maximum of 100 percent of the number of credit hours or equivalent clock hours required to complete one of the following at a Florida public or nonpublic education institution that offers these specific programs: for an applied technology diploma program as defined in s. 1004.02(7), up to 60 credit hours or equivalent clock hours; for a technical degree education program as defined in s. 1004.02(13), up to the number of hours required for a specific degree not to exceed 72 credit hours or equivalent clock hours; or for a career certificate program as defined in s. 1004.02(20), up to the number of hours required for a specific certificate not to exceed 72 credit hours or equivalent clock hours.

(b)1. A student who is eligible for a Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars award under subsection (2) may receive an award for a maximum of 100 percent of the number of credit hours or equivalent clock hours required to complete one of the following at a Florida public or nonpublic education institution that offers these specific programs: for an applied technology diploma program as defined in s. 1004.02(7), up to 60 credit hours or equivalent clock hours; for a technical degree education program as defined in s. 1004.02(13), up to the number of hours required for a specific degree, not to exceed 72 credit hours or equivalent clock hours; or for a career certificate program as defined in s. 1004.02(20), up to the number of hours required for a specific certificate, not to exceed 72 credit hours or equivalent clock hours. A student who transfers from one of these program levels to another program level is eligible for the higher of the two credit hour limits.

2. A Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholar who completes a technical degree education program as defined in s. 1004.02(13) may also receive an award for:

a. A maximum of 60 credit hours for a bachelor of science degree program for which there is a statewide associate in science degree program to bachelor of science degree program articulation agreement; or

b. A maximum of 60 credit hours for a bachelor of applied science degree program at a Florida College System institution.