Georgia Hope GED Grant

Overview

Georgia’s HOPE GED Grant is available to students who earned a General Education Development (GED/high school equivalency) diploma awarded by the Technical College System of Georgia after June 30, 1993.  Full-time enrollment is not required.

The Grant provides a one-time $500 HOPE award that can be used towards tuition, books, and other educational costs at an eligible public technical college or public or private college or university. HOPE GED Grant award must be used within 24 months of the date of a student receiving his/her GED diploma.

Hope GED Grant students are eligible for the HOPE Scholarship in a degree program once they have attempted  30 semester or 45 quarter hours of study with a 3.00 cumulative gpa. The entry points are based on all degree credit attempted and course work converted to degree credit after the award date for the GED diploma.

In addition to the $500 GED Grant, GED students can also qualify for the HOPE Grant for Certificate and Diploma Programs covering tuition, approved mandatory fees, and a book allowance at public colleges and technical colleges.

Application Procedure

A HOPE GED Voucher is automatically mailed to recipients along with their GED diploma. The voucher may be submitted to a HOPE-eligible post-secondary institution at the time of enrollment. In return, the student’s account will be credited for $500 to cover eligible educational costs.

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.

 

Georgia Hope Requirements for ineligible High School or Home School

You Must Complete a minimum number of hours in college.

An ineligible high school or home study program does not meet the eligible high school or home school requirements.

A student who graduates from an from an ineligible high school or  ineligible home study program may receive the HOPE Scholarship retroactively for their freshmen year of college.  The student must earn a 3.00 cumulative GPA after attempting 30 semester or 45 quarter hours of college credit.

Apply for Hope Before the Deadline

If you are applying for a HOPE Scholarship retroactively for your freshman year of college, you must have an official copy of both your high school/home study program and college transcripts sent to the Georgia Student Finance Commission. Also, be sure to include your current name, former name if applicable, date of birth, current mailing address, and phone number. Submit the official transcripts and documentation to:

Georgia Student Finance Commission
2082 East Exchange Place, Suite 100
Tucker, Georgia 30084

You must also complete an application for the HOPE Scholarship by completing either the current year FAFSA or the HOPE application through GSFAPPS. The deadline to apply for the HOPE Scholarship retroactive payment is the last day of the semester or quarter immediately following the semester or quarter in which you reached the 30 semester or 45 quarter attempted-hour point.

Georgia Hope High School and Home School Eligibility

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