HOPE Scholarship

1. HOPE Scholarship – Available to Georgia residents who maintain a certain academic standard and attend a Georgia public or private college or university. Eligibility for the HOPE Scholarship is based on GPA, standardized test scores (ACT or SAT), and residency requirements.
2. HOPE Zell Miller Scholarship – This is a more competitive version of the HOPE Scholarship and provides a higher amount of funding. It is available to students who have a higher GPA and test score threshold.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Residency: You must be a Georgia resident and have lived in Georgia for at least 12 months before applying.
• Academic Requirements: For the HOPE Scholarship, students typically need a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. For the Zell Miller Scholarship, students need a 3.7 GPA or higher and a minimum ACT or SAT score requirement.
• Enrollment: You must be enrolled in a degree or certificate program at an eligible Georgia institution.
• Credit Hours: The scholarship is awarded for a certain number of credit hours, and students must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Award Amounts:

• HOPE Scholarship: The amount varies depending on the type of institution (public vs. private) and may change each year.
• Zell Miller Scholarship: Typically covers full tuition at Georgia public institutions.

The HOPE Scholarship is designed to make higher education more accessible for Georgia residents. It is renewable as long as students maintain the required GPA and meet other ongoing eligibility criteria.

Let me know if you’d like more details about the specific application process or eligibility!

Here are more detailed aspects of the HOPE Scholarship and Zell Miller Scholarship programs:

1. HOPE Scholarship:

Eligibility Requirements:

• Georgia Residency: Must be a Georgia resident for at least 12 months prior to applying for the scholarship.
• U.S. Citizenship: You must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
• Academic Requirements:
  • High School Students: A 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale for courses taken during high school (after 9th grade). Additionally, you must meet the required SAT or ACT score.
    • SAT: 1200 (combined score of Reading and Math)
    • ACT: 26 (composite score)
  • College Students: Must maintain a 3.0 GPA at the college level to continue receiving the scholarship. For continuing college students, this means maintaining at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA after completing 30, 60, and 90 credit hours.
• Enrollment:
  • Must be enrolled in an eligible Georgia public or private college or university.
  • You must be enrolled for at least half-time (typically 6 credit hours per semester) to qualify for the HOPE Scholarship.

Award Amounts:

• The amount of the HOPE Scholarship varies based on the type of school you attend:
  • Public Institutions: For students attending public colleges or universities in Georgia, the scholarship covers a significant portion of tuition.
  • Private Institutions: If attending a private school, the HOPE Scholarship provides a set amount (which is usually less than the public institution rate).
• For the 2023-2024 academic year, the HOPE Scholarship can cover about:
  • Public institutions: Around $4,000 per year (subject to change).
  • Private institutions: Up to $10,000 per year (subject to change).

Renewal Requirements:

• Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA at the college level to continue receiving the scholarship.
• You can receive the scholarship for up to 127 semester hours or the equivalent.

2. Zell Miller Scholarship:

Eligibility Requirements:

• Higher Academic Standards:
  • Students need a 3.7 GPA on a 4.0 scale at the time of high school graduation.
  • Additionally, students must meet the required standardized test scores:
    • SAT: 1400 (combined score of Reading and Math)
    • ACT: 31 (composite score)
  • If you don’t meet the initial academic requirements but improve in college, you may qualify after completing 30 semester hours with a 3.3 GPA.
• Residency: Same as the HOPE Scholarship—students must be Georgia residents and have lived in the state for at least 12 months before applying.
• Enrollment:
  • Must attend a Georgia public or private college or university.
  • Must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours per semester).

Award Amounts:

• The Zell Miller Scholarship typically covers full tuition at Georgia public colleges and universities.
  • If you attend a private institution, the award amount is set at $10,000 per year, similar to the HOPE Scholarship for private schools.

Renewal Requirements:

• To maintain eligibility for the Zell Miller Scholarship:
  • You must maintain a 3.3 GPA at the college level (not the same as HOPE, which requires a 3.0).
  • You can continue receiving the scholarship for up to 127 semester hours or the equivalent.

3. Special Considerations:

GPA Calculation:

• The GPA used to determine eligibility for both scholarships is based on core courses (math, English, science, social studies, and foreign language).
• For college students, the GPA is cumulative, taking into account all courses taken at the postsecondary level.

How to Apply:

1. For High School Students:
   • Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for the HOPE Scholarship. While the FAFSA is primarily for federal financial aid, it’s necessary for HOPE eligibility.
   • Georgia high school students must also submit the HOPE Scholarship application through the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) after graduation.
2. For College Students:
   • Current Georgia college students must apply through their respective school’s financial aid office or through the Georgia Student Finance Commission.
   • The FAFSA must also be submitted annually to continue eligibility.

Non-Residents of Georgia:

• The scholarship is designed specifically for Georgia residents. Non-residents of Georgia do not qualify for HOPE or Zell Miller, though they may be eligible for other state-based scholarships.

Additional Programs:

• HOPE Grant: Separate from the HOPE Scholarship, the HOPE Grant is for students pursuing a diploma or certificate at a Georgia technical college. The eligibility criteria are similar, but this grant can be used for programs that are not degree-based.
• HOPE GED Voucher: This is for students who earned their GED in Georgia. It provides the same benefits as the HOPE Scholarship for those pursuing higher education in Georgia.

Important Notes:

• Time Limit: Both the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships have a time limit: students can receive funding for a certain number of hours, generally up to 127 credit hours.
• Other Awards: There are other Georgia-based scholarship and grant programs, such as the HOPE Career Grant and HOPE Promise Scholarship, which provide additional financial aid options for students pursuing certain fields of study or demonstrating financial need.

If you need specific figures or guidance on the application process, you can visit the Georgia Student Finance Commission website or your college’s financial aid office.