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What is the deadline to apply for Bright Futures?
Bright Futures offers two application deadlines per year. The deadline for the fall/spring semesters is May 15 at 5:00 p.m. The deadline for the spring/summer semesters is November 1 at 5:00 p.m. If you are working on the application on deadline day, be sure to click the “Submit” button on or before 5:00 p.m. The portal will close at 5:01 p.m. even for those who are still in their applications.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
If you miss the May 15 deadline, you may apply with the November 1 deadline for an award during the spring/summer semesters. If you miss the November 1 deadline, you will not be eligible for Bright Futures funds until the following school year, provided you are still within your six-year qualifying period and haven’t received the maximum number of awards for which you are eligible.
How do I create an online account?
Click the Login button and click the Create New Account button. Be sure to provide an email address that you review regularly. The email address must be unique to you and CANNOT be your high school email address.
Why won’t the portal accept my email address?
Your email address may already be in the system. If your email address is the same as one used by another Bright Futures student, you must use a different email.
I am a high school student. When can I start the application process?
Students may begin the Bright Futures application as early as January 1 for the next academic year. The deadline for the academic year (fall/spring semesters) is May 15 at 5:00 p.m. The second application for the academic year (spring/summer semesters) opens on October 1 and is due November 1 at 5:00 p.m.
I’m a returning student. Do I have to reapply every year?
Yes, but as a returning student, you will be assigned a renewal form in your student account and will not have to complete the full application again. In addition, you must meet the community service and FAFSA requirement each year and maintain the required cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher each semester.
If I choose to do TREP, ASCENT, concurrent enrollment or any other extended high school program, can I also receive the Bright Futures award?
No, if you choose to participate in an extended high school program, such as TREP, ASCENT or concurrent enrollment, you will not be eligible for Bright Futures until you receive your high school diploma. The Bright Futures application requires proof of your high school graduation.
How does Bright Futures know where to send my award?
As part of your initial application, you will identify your school of choice. If you decide to attend a different school, you can change your school after you receive your Acceptance Form. If you switch schools after completing your Acceptance Form, you must contact Bright Futures at hello@brightfuturesco.com.
What if I forget to tell Bright Futures that I switched schools?
If you do not notify Bright Futures of your final school choice before funds are disbursed to your documented school of choice, then you will be responsible for arranging a refund from the school to Bright Futures. Once the refund is received, Bright Futures will issue your award to your new school.
When are funds disbursed?
Funds will be mailed to each school or training program based on the following schedule:
Fall semester: August 15 – October 15
Spring semester: January 15 – March 15
Summer semester: June 1 – July 15
Can I request that funds be sent to my school by a certain date?
No, we cannot accommodate a specific payment date request.
I paid my tuition bill in full before my Bright Futures funds arrived. Will I still receive my award?
Yes. If your bill is paid in full but you had Bright Futures-eligible expenses, your school will issue you a refund according to their policy.
Where do I get a community service log?
You can download a community service log from the community service page.
Where do I upload my community service log?
You must upload your community service log as part of your application or renewal form by the application deadline. If you have more than one log, you must combine them into one PDF file to upload them.
How many community service hours are required?
All Bright Futures recipients are required to complete 12 hours of community service and upload their community service log by the application deadline.
I will be graduating after the fall semester. Do I still need to do 12 hours of community service?
Yes. You must complete the full 12 hours of community service by the application deadline even if you are only going to attend school for one semester.
When can I start my community service hours?
You may start and complete your 12 community service hours any time during the 12 months leading up to the application deadline.
Can I do my community service hours helping a family member or a family business?
No, all community service hours must be for the benefit of a nonprofit group, or an organization with a charitable cause, or an unrelated individual. If a family business sponsors a charitable event and you volunteer to work the event, that would be eligible but be sure to identify the name of the event on your community service log.
What is the difference between the FAFSA and CASFA?
The FAFSA application is for those students who are U.S. citizens with Social Security numbers. The CASFA application is for ASSET students who do not have a Social Security number.
Do I need to fill out the FAFSA/CASFA application every year?
Yes. Your FAFSA/CASFA is required to be completed each year you wish to apply for a Bright Futures award.
What documents are acceptable to show that I did my FAFSA for the school year?
The ONLY acceptable document is your final FAFSA Submission Summary, which must show your Student Aid Index value. Snippets or screen captures of the status tracker, or congratulatory emails are not acceptable and will cause your application to be denied.
Where can I attend school?
Bright Futures recipients may attend any college or industry-approved certificate/training program located in Colorado or one of the seven bordering states (Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, or Utah).
I am not going to start until the spring semester. What is the deadline for spring?
The deadline for the fall/spring semesters is May 15 and you can choose “Spring Start” as your school choice. The deadline for the spring/summer semesters is November 1. Students would apply for one OR the other. If you are a returning student, do not start a new application, but contact Bright Futures to assign the appropriate application to your existing account.
I am not sure where I want to go to school. Can I take a gap year?
Yes, you may apply any time in the six years following your high school graduation or GED certification date. Students are eligible for Bright Futures up to a maximum of eight semesters. You must contact the Bright Futures office for next steps, and you are responsible for knowing and following any program changes made during your gap absence.
My cumulative GPA has dropped below the required 2.0. Am I still eligible for an award?
If your cumulative GPA drops below 2.0, you have one more semester with Bright Futures to bring it up to 2.0 or higher. If your cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 for the next semester, you will no longer be eligible to apply for Bright Futures (in any year).
How long do I have to use the Bright Futures award?
You may apply for Bright Futures in the six years following your high school graduation or GED date. Students are eligible for up to eight semesters for post-secondary education or training. There is an exception for honorably or general discharged veterans; contact Bright Futures for more details.
I want to attend a trade school. Am I still eligible for Bright Futures?
Yes, if these three requirements are met: the school must be located within the required geographic region of Colorado or any of its seven border states; it must accept Bright Futures awards on your behalf; and the program must result in an industry-recognized certificate or license.
I am a Weld County resident, but I do not attend a Weld County high school. Am I still eligible for Bright Futures?
Yes. You are eligible to apply as long as you lived in Weld County your senior year and at least one other year you were in high school.
Is Bright Futures available for a study abroad program?
It depends on the program. If it is a program through a school within the required geographical region and the tuition and fees are billed through that school, then yes Bright Futures is available and your award will be paid to the local billing school. If the program is not billed through an eligible Bright Futures school, then Bright Futures is not available and your study abroad semester(s) would be considered a gap semester or gap year. (See above question about taking a gap year.)
My status shows approved, but I did not receive any Bright Futures funds. Why not?
Your award will be withheld if you haven’t responded to our emails regarding follow-up forms that are assigned to your account. The email sender is administrator@grantinterface.com, so be sure to add this address to your approved sender list.
I am a home school student. Can I still apply for Bright Futures?
Yes. You will need to provide proof of your Weld County residency in your application.
I am a GED recipient. Can I still apply for Bright Futures?
Yes. You will need to provide proof of your Weld County residency in your application.
