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HOPE Scholarship

Georgia's HOPE Scholarship is available to Georgia residents who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement by achieving a HOPE GPA of 3.0 or higher. The scholarship provides financial assistance to students with the educational costs of attending a HOPE eligible postsecondary institution located in Georgia.

Georgia students can track their My High School HOPE GPA through their GAfutures account to know if they are on track to earn the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarship

Student Resources

HOPE Scholarship Evaluation Request Form

HOPE Scholarship Transient Permission Form

FAFSA Application

Department Contact

Office of Student Financial Aid

Canes Central

229-928-1378
finaid@gsw.edu

Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Staff

Basic Eligibility

In order to become eligible for the HOPE Scholarship, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a legal resident of Georgia
  • Meet enrollment requirements
  • Be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements
  • Meet academic achievement standards
  • Be in good standing on all student loans or other financial aid programs
  • Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990
  • Not have exceeded the maximum award limits for any HOPE program

FAQ

How do I apply for the HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship?

A student may apply for the scholarships by completing the GSFAPP (one time completion) or FAFSA (completed each academic year). Check with the postsecondary institution's financial aid office for scholarship eligibility after submitting an application. Additional documentation may be required by the postsecondary institution.

How much does HOPE Scholarship and Zell Miller Scholarship pay?

The HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships assists with the cost of tuition at eligible postsecondary institutions and the award amount is dependent upon the specific institution.

How is my GPA calculated for scholarship purposes?

GSFC calculates the GPA based solely on core course data (English, math, social studies, science, and foreign language only) transmitted from the high school, by June 30, for graduating seniors. GSFC cannot change or alter that data in any way. Any grade discrepancies or errors must be corrected by the high school and then resubmitted to GSFC. Contact your high school counselor if you have questions regarding courses and/or grades.

What is the Zell Miller Scholarship and what are the academic eligibility requirements?

The Zell Miller Scholarship is a merit based scholarship that provides full tuition at a public postsecondary institution and tuition assistance at an eligible private postsecondary institution. A student must graduate from an eligible high school as valedictorian or salutatorian (meeting the requirements of the HOPE Scholarship) or graduate with a minimum 3.7 Zell Miller GPA (as calculated by GSFC) along with a minimum combined score of 1200 on the math and reading portions of a national administration of the SAT or a minimum composite score of 26 on a single national or state/district administration of the ACT and meet specific rigor course requirements.

Can Dual Enrollment credit hours be used to determine postsecondary HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarship eligibility?

No, according to the program regulations, college credit hours taken as dual credit enrollment are not counted as attempted hours nor are they included in the combined paid hours limit for purposes of HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship eligibility. The hours are not included in a student's postsecondary HOPE GPA.

What do I need to do to continue to qualify for the HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship?

In order to continue receiving the HOPE Scholarship, a student must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 postsecondary GPA at designated checkpoints. The cumulative 3.0 postsecondary GPA does not include Dual Enrollment coursework taken prior to high school graduation or home study completion. Those checkpoints are: end-of-spring and 30/60/90 attempted semester hours or 45/90/135 quarter hours. A student will lose the HOPE Scholarship if their GPA is below the minimum requirement at one of the checkpoints and may only regain the scholarship one time. A student is ineligible to receive HOPE Scholarship funds once the student has reached the 127 hour limit.

In order to continue receiving the Zell Miller Scholarship, a student must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.3 postsecondary GPA at designated checkpoints. The cumulative 3.3 postsecondary GPA does not include Dual Enrollment coursework taken prior to high school graduation or home study completion. Those checkpoints are: end-of-spring and 30/60/90 attempted semester hours or 45/90/135 quarter hours. A student will lose the Zell Miller Scholarship if their GPA is below the minimum requirement at one of the checkpoints and may only regain the scholarship one time. A student is ineligible to receive Zell Miller Scholarship funds once the student has reached the 127 hour limit.

Program Eligibility

To receive HOPE Scholarship funding, students must:

  1. Meet one of the following academic requirements:
    • Graduate from a HOPE-eligible high school with a minimum 3.0-grade point average
    • Receive a high school diploma, complete a home study program in Georgia, or earn a GED and score in the national composite 75th percentile or higher on the SAT or ACT prior to high school graduation, home study completion, or earning a GED
    • Earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative postsecondary grade point average after attempting 30 semester or 45 quarter hours of college degree-level coursework for retroactive HOPE Scholarship payment
    • Earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative postsecondary grade point average after attempting 30, 60, or 90 semester hours or 45, 90, or 135 quarter hours after high school graduation, home study completion, or receipt of GED
  2. Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at a public or private HOPE-eligible college or university in Georgia.
  3. Meet academic rigor requirements provided by GAFutures. 

 

For more information about the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships, visit GAfutures.org.

 
Virtual Advisor