Community service hours are required for all Bright Futures Scholarship Awards. There is not a service hour requirement for graduation. Students can begin earning hours towards the scholarship the summer between 8th and 9th grade and continue until graduation day. Students should make sure to read the steps for volunteering below before they start working on their community service.
As of July 1, 2022 students will be allowed to use paid work hours to count towards their community service hours.
St. Johns County Community Service Forms/ Reflection Log: New Bright Futures Community Service Form-St. Johns Final
Documentation for Community Service:
- Students must submit a letter from the organization that they completed the volunteer hours with that includes the student’s service hours, activities, dates, and supervisor signature.
- Students using paid hours as community service are required to submit pay stubs to have their hours counted.
- For hours completed on or after August 16, 2021, students must submit a volunteer service plan for their Bright Futures Community Service Hours to be approved. This is for paid AND volunteer hours.
Students not completing the Volunteer Service Plan or completing activities that are not in accordance with St. Johns County Service Hours Guidelines, per the St. Johns County School District Bright Futures Community Service Hours Form, will not have those hours added to their transcript for the Bright Futures Scholarship, but students can add those hours to their resume for college/job/internship applications or other scholarships.
If the student is unsure whether the service activity meets St. Johns County School District requirements, the student should check with their school counselor or school community service hours designee before completing the hours.
Steps for Students to Complete Prior to Volunteering
- Determine an area/topic in the community where you would like to make an impact.
- 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.