Community service hours or paid work hours are required for all Bright Futures Scholarship Awards. There is no service hour requirement for graduation. Students can begin earning hours towards the Bright Futures Scholarship the summer between 8th and 9th grade and continue until graduation day. Students should read the steps for volunteering below before they start working on their community service.
As of July 1, 2022, students may use paid work hours toward Bright Futures. For hours requirements, please click the Bright Futures link on the right of this page.
Steps for Students to Complete Prior to Volunteering
- Research the types of volunteer activities available in your community. The district community service website lists local opportunities and community service guidelines for St. Johns County School District: https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/guidance/community-service/
- Contact the organization you are interested in volunteering with and 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: Supervisor must be non-family member with 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 or not, reach out to your school counselor or school community service hours designee.
Steps for Students to Complete During Volunteering
- Keep track of hours, dates, & activities completed during service to verify with whoever supervises you during your community service.
Steps for Students to Complete After Volunteering
- Have the supervisor of your service provide a signed letter on the organization’s letterhead describing the type of service performed, who in the community the service benefited, and a description of the service event.
- Make a copy of all completed forms for your records.
- Student provides letterhead and reflection log to the school counselor with all required signatures included.
- St. Johns County Community Service Forms/ Reflection Log: New Bright Futures Community Service Form-St. Johns Final
Documentation of paid work hours:
- Students submitting paid work hours are required to submit pay stubs with the amount of hours work dictated to have the hours counted.
- Students still must complete the reflection form for paid work hours.
- Turn both in to the school counseling office.