Scholar Diploma Designation
In addition to the requirements of section (s.)
1003.4282, Florida Statutes (F.S.), a student must satisfy
the following requirements
(per. s. 1003.4285, F.S.):
• Earn 1 credit in Algebra 2 or an equally rigorous
course
• Pass the Geometry EOC
• Earn 1 credit in Statistics or an equally
rigorous mathematics course
• Pass the Biology 1 EOC*
• Earn 1 credit in Chemistry or Physics
• Earn 1 credit in a course equally rigorous
to Chemistry or Physics
• Pass the U.S. History EOC*
• Earn 2 credits in the same World Language
• Earn at least 1 credit in an AP, IB, AICE or a dua
l
enrollment course
*A student is exempt from the Biology 1 or U.S. History
EOC assessment if the student is enrolled in an AP, IB or
AICE Biology 1 or U.S. History course; takes the
respective AP, IB or AICE assessment; and earns the
minimum score to earn college credit.
Merit Diploma Designation
• Meet the standard high school diploma requirements
• Attain one
or more industry certifications from the
list established (per s. 1003.492, F.
S.)
State University System (SUS)
Admission into Florida’s public universities is competitive.
Prospective students should complete a rigorous course of
study in high school and apply to more than one university
to increase their chance for acceptance. To qualify to enter
one of Florida’s public universities, a first-time-in-college
student must meet the following minimum requirements
(credit earned by industry certification does not count for
SUS admission):
• High school graduation with a standard diploma, a
minimum of
a 2.5 GPA, and admission test scores
meeting minimum college-re
ady test scores per
Board of Governors (BOG) Regulation 6.008
• 16 credits of approved college preparatory acad
emi
c
courses per BOG Regulation 6.002
• 4 English (3 with substantial writing)
• 4 Ma
thematics (Algebra 1 level and above)
• 3 Natural Science (2 with substantial lab)
• 3 Social Science
• 2 World Language (sequential, in the same la
nguage
or other equivalents)
• 2 approved electives
Sta
te University System of Florida
The Florida College System
The 28 colleges of the Florida College System serve nearly
800,000 students. Colleges offer affordable and stackable
workforce
credentials including certificate programs, associate
in science
degrees and associate in arts degrees, which
transfer to a
bachelor’s degree program. Many colleges also
offer workforce bachelor’s degree programs in areas of high
demand. All Florida
College System institutions have open-
door admissions for students who earned a standard high
school diploma or an equivalent diploma or successfully
earnedcollege credit.
Florida College System
Career and Technical Colleges and Centers
Florida also offers students 49 accredited career and
technical colleges or centers throughout the state, which
provide the education and certification necessary to work
in a particular career or technical field. Programs are flexible
for students and provide industry-specific education and
training for a wide variety of occupations.
Career and Technical Education Directors
What are the additional graduation options for students
with disabilities ?
Two additional options are available only to students
with disabilities. Both allow students to substitute a CTE
course with related content for one credit in ELA 4,
mathematics, science and social studies (excluding
Algebra 1, Geometry, Biology 1 and U.S. History). The
two options are as follows:
• Students with significant cognitive disabilities may
earn credits via access courses and be assessed vi
a
an alternate assessment.
• Students who choose the academic and
employment option must earn at least 0.5 credit
via paid employment.
What is the CAP?
The CAP allows a student to earn high school credit
if the student passes an AP examination, a College
Level Examination Program (CLEP) or a statewide
course assessment without enrollment in the course.
The courses include:
• Algebra 1
• Geometry
•
Biology 1
• U.S. History
Where is information on financial aid located?
The Florida Department of Education’s Office of Student
Financial Assistance administers a variety of postsecondary
educational state-funded grants and scholarships.
Office of Student Financial Assistance
August 2020