Accreditation Requirement
A HOPE-eligible high school or HOPE-eligible home study program must be accredited by one or more of the accrediting agencies list below.
If the high school or home study program is located in the state of Georgia:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Georgia Accrediting Commission;
- Georgia Association of Christian Schools;
- Association of Christian Schools International;
- Georgia Private School Accreditation Council; or
- Southern Association of Independent Colleges.
If the high school or home study program is located outside the state of Georgia:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;
- New England Association of Colleges and Schools;
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools;
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools;
- Northwest Accreditation Commission;
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges; or
- Alabama Independent School Association.
Transcript and Grading Requirement
A student who graduates from a HOPE-eligible high school or completes a HOPE-eligible home study program must earn a 3.00 cumulative GPA on all core coursework. The grade point average calculation for the HOPE Scholarship is unique (Georgia HOPE GPA calculation).
- If you graduate from a HOPE-eligible high school located in Georgia, your high school should automatically send your transcript data to the Georgia Student Finance Commission for calculation of your HOPE grade point average. This process is electronic.
- If you graduate from a HOPE-eligible high school located outside the state of Georgia or if you complete a HOPE-eligible home study program, you must have an official transcript sent to the Georgia Student Finance Commission. Your high school should be sure to include information on its accreditation, grading scale, and course or grade point average weighting. Also, be sure to include your current name, former name if applicable, date of birth, current mailing address, and phone number. Submit the official transcript and documentation to:Georgia Student Finance Commission
2082 East Exchange Place, Suite 100
Tucker, Georgia 30084
