|
Overview
Georgia's HOPE Scholarship is available to Georgia residents who have demonstrated academic achievement. The scholarship provides money to assist students with their educational costs of attending college in Georgia.
Eligibility
To receive HOPE Scholarship funding, students must:
- Meet one of the following academic requirements:
- Graduate from a HOPE-eligible high school with a 3.0 grade point average. For more details, click here.
- Complete a HOPE eligible home study program with a 3.0 grade point average. For more details, click here.
- Graduate from an ineligible high school, complete an ineligible home study program, or earn a GED, and score in the national composite 85th percentile or higher on the SAT or ACT tests. For more details, click here.
- Graduate from an ineligible high school or complete an ineligible home study program, and then earn a 3.0 grade point average on 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college degree-level coursework. This option allows for payment of the first 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours after they are taken. For more details, click here.
- Earn a 3.0 grade point average at the college level on degree coursework after attempting 30, 60, or 90 semesters hours or 45, 90, or 135 quarter hours, regardless of high school graduation status. For more details, click here.
- Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at an eligible public or private college or university or technical college in Georgia. View a list of HOPE eligible colleges and universities .
- Meet HOPE's Georgia residency requirements.
- Meet HOPE's U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen requirements.
- Be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements.
- Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990. A student may be ineligible for HOPE payment if he or she has been convicted for committing certain felony offenses involving marijuana, controlled substances, or dangerous drugs.
- Not be in default or owe a refund on a student financial aid program.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the college.
Award Amounts
The money provided to HOPE Scholars varies and depends on the type of institution you are attending and your specific enrollment.
Public Institutions
Beginning in Fall 2011, students attending public colleges or universities receive a HOPE Award Amount based upon a per hour rate at the institution he or she is attending. To determine your HOPE Award Amount, please review the chart found here .
Private Institutions
For Fall 2011, Winter 2012, and Spring 2012, students attending private colleges or universities receive the following:
- Full-time students: $1,800 per semester, $1,200 per quarter
- Half-time students: $900 per semester, $600 per quarter
Award Limits
A college degree-seeking student is ineligible for the HOPE Scholarship if the student has:
- Received payment from any combination of HOPE Scholarship, Zell Miller Scholarship, HOPE Grant, and Accel Program funds (through Spring term 2011) totaling 127 semester (190 quarter) hours of credit; or
- Attempted 127 semester (190 quarter) hours of college degree credit, regardless of whether or not HOPE funds were received while attempting the hours; or
- Earned a baccalaureate (four-year) college degree, regardless of whether or not HOPE funds were received while earning the degree, or
- Reached the Seven Year Expiration of Eligibility date. Click here for more information.
Application Procedure
Applying for the HOPE Scholarship is easy, but you should always check with the college you are going to attend to make sure you are completing the applications they require.
Students have three options for applying for the HOPE Scholarship.
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) By using your GAcollege411 account and accessing the FAFSA application from GAcollege411, you can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete this form. Proceed to the FAFSA.
Application Deadline
While you have until the last day of classes or exams to submit your application in order to receive HOPE funds for that semester or quarter, we highly recommend submitting your HOPE application as early as possible. The earlier you apply, the earlier the funds are disbursed to your school and credited to your account.
Where to Go for Help
If you need help filling out an application or have other questions relating to the HOPE Scholarship, we suggest contacting the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend, talking with your high school counselor, or contacting the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC).
To find contact details for the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend, find your school through the Search or via this list of Georgia colleges and universities.
You can contact the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) by:
E-mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Telephone:
Call us toll-free at: 1-800-505-GSFC (4732)
In Metro Atlanta: (770) 724-9000
A representative is available Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Other Information
Full details about the HOPE Scholarship guidelines, policies, and procedures can be found in the HOPE Scholarship Program Regulations — Public Colleges or HOPE Scholarship Regulations — Private Colleges document maintained by the GSFC.
Administrative Reviews and Exceptions
Students may request an Administrative Review of a HOPE Scholarship or HOPE Grant eligibility determination or status or, in certain situations, students may request an Exception. For more details, please click here.
Related Links
|
