Students hoping to earn a Bright Futures scholarship as part of the Class of 2028 will need higher standardized test scores than their predecessors, under new benchmarks set by the Florida Department of Education.

For the top-tier Academic Scholars award, graduating seniors in 2028 must post a 1350 on the SAT, up 20 points from the current threshold. The Classic Learning Test (CLT) cutoff rises one point, from 95 to 96. The ACT requirement stays where it is.

The Medallion Scholars award also gets tougher. The SAT minimum climbs 10 points, from 1190 to 1200. The CLT benchmark moves from 83 to 84, and the ACT minimum goes from 24 to 25.

The department has not said why it made the changes. Florida College Access Network, a nonprofit that works on college affordability, says past adjustments have been tied to costs and other factors. Without a stated rationale from the state, families and educators are left to guess.

Braulio Colón, the network’s executive director, said every student will feel the change, particularly those who know the material but struggle on exam day. He stressed what is at stake, noting that a qualifying student gets at least 75 percent of tuition covered. He added that tuition is only part of the bill, with housing, transportation and child care still to pay for.

Christie Raburn, who oversees high school education for Hillsborough County Public Schools, said test scores are only one piece of a college application. Admissions officers, she said, want well-rounded applicants, and essays carry real weight. She pointed families to school counselors, who can explain Bright Futures requirements and help with the FAFSA. In Hillsborough, the district’s SCOPE program offers help with college planning and financial aid.

For students aiming at the Class of 2028 awards, the targets are now fixed. The question is whether they will be ready to meet them.

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