Candidate Checklist

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1. Academic Coursework Requirements

Students must complete college-preparatory coursework during high school.

Core Academic Credits

☐ 4 credits – English / Language Arts

☐ 4 credits – Mathematics

☐ 3 credits – Natural Science

☐ 3 credits – Social Science

☐ 2 credits – World Language (same language)

These courses must be college-preparatory in rigor.

Students should maintain a minimum weighted GPA of 3.0 in these courses to qualify for the FMS award.

2. Academic Performance Benchmarks

Students must demonstrate strong academic habits and consistent performance.

☐ Maintain minimum 3.0 weighted GPA in required coursework

☐ Demonstrate strong reading comprehension ability

☐ Demonstrate analytical writing proficiency

☐ Demonstrate academic organization and study discipline

☐ Complete regular reading and writing assignments

☐ Develop effective note-taking and study strategies

3. Standardized Test Requirements

Students must meet minimum test score thresholds using an approved exam.

Students may submit scores from:

• Classic Learning Test

• SAT

• ACT

Testing Readiness Benchmarks

☐ Complete diagnostic test

☐ Participate in structured test preparation

☐ Take at least two full-length practice exams

☐ Improve test pacing and accuracy

☐ Achieve minimum qualifying score for the FMS scholarship

Students may test multiple times before the deadline.

4. Community Service / Work Hours

Students must complete documented service or work hours.

☐ Minimum 75 volunteer service hours

or

☐ Minimum 100 paid work hours

Students should maintain documentation including:

☐ supervisor contact information

☐ service dates

☐ description of service activities

☐ signed verification form

Service hours may be completed through community organizations or nonprofit programs such as Lit for Life.

5. Scholarship Application Requirements

Students must submit the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA).

☐ Create student account in the state financial aid system

☐ Submit the FFAA application by August 31 of the year of graduation

6. Homeschool Documentation Requirements

Students graduating from homeschool must provide documentation verifying completion of their homeschool program.

☐ Annual homeschool evaluations completed

☐ Parent-issued homeschool diploma

☐ Homeschool transcript documenting coursework and grades

☐ Letter of termination submitted to the school district upon graduation

7. College Admission Preparation

Students should prepare for college application requirements.

☐ Identify target colleges or universities

☐ Prepare college application essays if required

☐ Compile academic transcript

☐ Submit standardized test scores to colleges

8. Academic Portfolio Development

Students should maintain a portfolio demonstrating academic progress.

Portfolio may include:

☐ writing samples

☐ research papers

☐ reading logs

☐ project work

☐ test results

☐ course completion records

9. Futures Scholar Accelerator Program Benchmarks

Students enrolled in the Futures Scholar Accelerator should complete the following program milestones.

☐ Academic diagnostic and readiness assessment

☐ Participation in structured literacy instruction

☐ Completion of CLT preparation sessions

☐ Completion of academic strategy coaching

☐ Completion of practice exams and score analysis

☐ Participation in scholarship readiness workshops

☐ Completion of community service hours through Lit for Life

10. Final Readiness Verification

Before completing the program, students should confirm the following:

☐ Minimum required GPA achieved

☐ Required coursework completed

☐ Qualifying standardized test score achieved

☐ Volunteer or work hours completed

☐ Scholarship application submitted

☐ Homeschool graduation documentation prepared

Program Completion Outcome

Students who complete the Futures Scholar Accelerator and meet the requirements above will be positioned to:

• qualify for the Florida Medallion Scholars award

• demonstrate strong academic readiness for college

• pursue additional academic or athletic scholarship opportunities.