Community/Work Service Guidelines

Student ID #: Student Name:

School Name: Graduation Year:

Please note: This is not the application for Bright Futures scholarships. Students must complete the initial
student Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) during their last year of high school. To find out how to
qualify for a Bright Futures scholarship, go to https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/

Revised Bill HB461 modifies the eligibility requirements for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program to include an option for students to
use paid work hours in lieu of or in combination with volunteer hours to qualify for a scholarship. Specifically, students graduating in
the 2022-23 academic year and thereafter may qualify for a Florida Academic Scholars, Florida Medallion Scholars, Florida Gold Seal
Vocational Scholars, or Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars award through volunteer hours specified in law (Florida Statutes 1009.534,
1009.535, 1009.536), and/or through 100 hours of paid work.

The paid work hours must meet the requirements for volunteer hours, including documentation in writing of paid work hours and a
student evaluation and reflection upon his or her volunteer service and/or paid work experience. The bill also makes it optional for a
student to identify a social or civic issue or a professional area and develop a plan for personal involvement or learning about the area.

In alignment with the guidelines above, Orange County Public Schools is providing clarifying examples in this document of types of service
that are and are not permitted. Each district reserves the right to determine what types of activities are acceptable (Bright Futures Handbook,
Ch.1, pg.4) which may differ from surrounding districts.

If the activity is determined ineligible for Bright Futures, the student may still add the service to their resume and note it for college
admissions, scholarships, or professional skill building. Bright Futures requires that hours must be submitted to the student’s school
counselor/designee no later than the student’s high school graduation date. It is recommended the student submit their hours each year of
high school or as they are completed.

This table does not include all possible activities. The school designee has the final determination of activity approval or denial if the service
activity cannot be agreed upon.

Activities That Count Activities That Do Not Count

Volunteering at a food pantry Donating non-perishable foods

Activities on behalf of a candidate for public office, Walking around in a neighborhood posting political signs
supervised by a non-relative with the campaign with a family member

Teaching English skills to a foreign exchange student under Hosting a foreign exchange student
the supervision of a non-relative, non-profit staff
member

Volunteering at an animal shelter under the supervision Fostering an animal at home

of a non-relative shelter staff member

Required training prior to a service activity (ex: Training Claiming hours for an activity that is required for
on building a well prior to a mission trip where that will academic credit or licensure (ex: First Aid/CPR,
be done.) school course, school drama production where course
credit is earned)

Revised 8/2023
For students choosing to volunteer

Prior to volunteering:
• Determine an area/topic in the community where you would like to make an impact and indicate below.

__Animal Welfare __Community Engagement __Domestic Violence

__Elder Care __Environmental Protection/Recycling __Healthcare

__Human Rights __Mental/Physical Challenges/Disabilities __Mentoring/Education

__Poverty/Hunger/Homeless __Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle __Protection/Safety

__Public Office __Other, please specify: ________________________________________

• Research the types of volunteer activities available in your community.

• Contact the organization with whom you are interested in volunteering to determine:
1) the steps to become a volunteer.
2) if they have volunteer openings for the dates/activities you are interested in.
3) who the contact will be to verify your hours and participation in the activity. [Note: Supervisors must be non-family
member with the organization who directly supervises the student during the activity outside of the home.]
• If you have a question regarding whether the service activity is acceptable, reach out to your school counselor or school
community service hours designee.

During volunteering:
• Keep track of hours, dates, and activities completed during service to verify with your community service supervisor.

After volunteering:
• Provide completed reflection log (attached) to the school counselor or designee with all required signatures included.
• Make a copy of all completed forms for your records.

For students choosing to work

After paid work:

• Students need to submit a copy of their pay stub(s) to their counselor or designee.
• Provide completed reflection log (attached) to the school counselor or designee with all required signatures included.
• Make a copy of all completed forms for your records.

School Community/Work Service Designee - Please place the original in the student’s cumulative
folder.

Students – Please keep a copy of the completed form that has been signed and approved for
your records.
Revised 8/2023
 Community/Work Service Log and Reflection

Student ID #: Student Name:

School Name: Graduation Year:

Social/Civic Issue/Professional Area Addressing with Service Activity Log (Optional):

Description of Volunteer/Paid Work Activity:

Hours
Service Date(s) of Service Contact Name Signature of Contact Completed
Organization/Business Activity/Work

Total:
Reflection on Service Activity/Work (attach additional pages if necessary):
Attach a copy of your pay stub for work hours if applicable. Complete the reflection below and submit to your school counselor/
designee by your graduation date. Note: Ideally, students submit hours at least after each year in high school rather than saving
them all until the end of high school.

By signing below, I certify that all information on this document is true and correct. I understand that if I am found to have
given false testimony about these hours that the hours will be revoked and endanger my eligibility for the Bright Futures
Scholarship.

Student Signature: _________________ Date: __

Parent Signature _______________Date: _____

Revised 8/2023