By Ribbit EDU · Sources checked September 8, 2026
Which state scholarships use ACT or SAT scores?
A qualifying test score can help meet a scholarship requirement. It does not, by itself, guarantee an award. Start with these four state programs, then check the rules for your graduating class and school pathway.
Florida: Bright Futures scores for 2027 and 2028
These are high school graduation years, not college award years. FAS means Florida Academic Scholars; FMS means Florida Medallion Scholars.
| Graduating class | Award | ACT or SAT | Program GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | FAS | 29 or 1330 | 3.50 |
| 2027 | FMS | 24 or 1190 | 3.00 |
| 2028 | FAS | 29 or 1350 | 3.50 |
| 2028 | FMS | 25 or 1200 | 3.00 |
The standard pathway also requires 16 core credits, qualifying residency and enrollment, documented service/work hours, and an application. FAS requires 100 service hours; FMS requires 75. Either accepts 100 paid-work hours or 100 combined hours. Other qualifying pathways exist.
For end-of-year 2027 graduates, the Florida Financial Aid Application window is October 1, 2026–August 31, 2027. Mid-year graduates seeking spring funding have a separate deadline. Science is optional for the ACT calculation. Bright Futures uses the higher three- or four-section average when Science scores exist and uses the highest subject scores.
Louisiana: TOPS Opportunity
For the standard Louisiana high-school pathway, TOPS Opportunity lists a 2.50 core GPA and 19 core units. The ACT requirement is tied to the prior-year state average, with a floor of 20. The current published minimum is 20; accepted SAT equivalents are listed by LOSFA.
Residency, eligible full-time enrollment, and application requirements also apply. Home-school and out-of-state pathways use different rules. TOPS does not accept ACT superscores, so check a qualifying single test sitting.
LOSFA Opportunity eligibility · Official test-score rules and equivalents
Georgia: Zell Miller — ACT 25 or 26?
For the eligible-high-school route and graduates after December 31, 2023, Georgia currently lists ACT 25 or SAT 1200. Older summaries may still show ACT 26. The ACT equivalent is reviewed annually.
This route also requires a 3.7 HOPE GPA and four rigor credits. The qualifying test score must come from one eligible administration before graduation. Residency, eligible-college enrollment, and other basic requirements still apply; unaccredited home-study and ineligible-school routes differ.
Georgia Student Finance Commission: initial academic eligibility
Tennessee: HOPE has a GPA alternative
For eligible-high-school freshmen, Tennessee HOPE accepts ACT 21 or SAT 1060, or a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students meeting the GPA route do not necessarily need the test-score route.
Residency, high-school eligibility, FAFSA, and enrollment at an eligible college also matter. Tests must precede college enrollment, and ACT superscores are not accepted. Check the program page for your school pathway and deadlines.
Turn the requirements into a checklist.
- Match the program to your residency, graduating class, and school type.
- Record the score, GPA, coursework, service, and application requirements separately.
- Confirm whether the program accepts superscores and how it handles optional Science.
- Choose an official test date that leaves time for score reporting and any retake.
- Ask your school counselor or the program office to confirm eligibility before relying on an award.
This page covers four examples, not every state or college scholarship. The linked program administrators determine eligibility and awards.
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