Scholarship Loan Program for Georgia Teachers

As part of the Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (or H.O.P.E.) program, students in the state of Georgia may be eligible for the hope teacher program. This is a loan that is made available to eligible students seeking an advanced degree in critical shortage teaching areas. Continue reading

What is the difference between Hope Scholarship and Hope Grant?

The Hope Scholarship program is made up of three primary aid programs.  These are the HOPE Scholarship, the Zell Miller Scholarship, and the HOPE Grant.  Each one targets a different set of students based on academic eligibility.

Both the HOPE Scholarship and the HOPE Grant are funded by the state of Georgia through lottery proceeds, but the HOPE Scholarship has certain requirements, and the HOPE Grant is available to any Georgia resident. For length of the HOPE eligibility, see the text below. Continue reading

Georgia Hope Scholarship Grant and Award Amounts

The Georgia Student Finance Commission website keeps a record of the total Georgia Hope Scholarship Grant and Award payment for the history of the program.  You can see the effects of the changes in the program from the 2010-2011 fiscal year to the 2011-2012 fiscal year.  The number of Hope recipients decreased by just over 20% and the total awards given decreased by 39%.  Looked at another way, the average award went from $2920 to $2260.

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Georgia Hope Grant Requirements

Georgia Hope Grant Requirements Overview

Georgia’s HOPE Grant is available to residents of Georgia who are attending eligible colleges or universities in Georgia to earn a certificate or diploma regardless of high school graduation date or grade point average (GPA). However, continuing education programs are not eligible.  Beginning in the Fall 2011, the HOPE Grant Award Amount will cover a portion of a student’s tuition.

Full-time enrollment is not required, but you must be making satisfactory academic progress to maintain eligibility.

Award Amounts for Fall Term 2011 and Beyond

Students that qualify will receive the HOPE Grant Award (see amounts).

Award Eligibility

A HOPE Grant recipient is ineligible for the grant if the student has:

  • Received HOPE Grant payment for more than 63 semester or 95 quarter hours; or
  • Received payment from any combination of HOPE Scholarship, Zell Miller Scholarship, HOPE Grant, and, through Summer term 2011, Accel Program funds totaling 127 semester (190 quarter) hours of credit, or
    • Dual Credit Enrollment hours for which a high school student received HOPE Grant payment are not included in these totals.
  • Earned a baccalaureate degree.

Application Procedure

  1. Complete the 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.
  2. If you just want to apply for the HOPE Grant by:
    1. electronic application at GAcollege411.
    2. printable paper application.

Application Deadline

You must file an application by the last day of classes or exams in order to receive HOPE funds for that semester or quarter.

Where to Go for Help

If you need help filling out an application or have other questions relating to the HOPE Grant, contact the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend, talk with your high school counselor, or contact the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC).

You can contact the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) by:

E-mail:

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.