Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship Program
HOPE — Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally — is Georgia’s scholarship and grant program, formed in 1993, that rewards students with financial assistance in degree, diploma, and certificate programs at eligible Georgia public and private institutions. There are four Hope based programs: Hope Scholarship, Hope Grant, Zell Miller Scholarship, and Hope GED Grant.
All four HOPE programs require students to meet basic requirements. An eligible student must:
- Be a legal resident of Georgia;
- Meet academic achievement standards required by the program or the college;
- Be registered with Selective Service, if required;
- Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990;
- Meet HOPE’s U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen requirements;
- Be in good standing on all student loans or other financial aid programs;
- Not have exceeded the maximum award limits for any HOPE program; and
- Meet enrollment requirements
HOPE Scholarship
The HOPE Scholarship program is for students that have demonstrated academic achievement and that are seeking a college degree. You can become eligible for the HOPE Scholarship, either by graduating from high school as a HOPE Scholar or by earning it while in college (see HOPE Scholarship requirements).
HOPE Grant
The HOPE Grant program is for students seeking a technical certification or diploma, regardless of the student’s high school grade point average or graduation date (see HOPE Grant Requirements).
Zell Miller Scholarship
The Zell Miller Scholarship program is for students who have achieved higher academic achievement. To become eligible, a student must graduate from an eligible high school with a 3.70 GPA and a minimum score on the SAT/ACT (see Zell Miller Scholarship requirements).
Each of the Hope programs have award limits. The amount of the award depends on the type of school the student is attending, the number of credit hours the student is enrolled in, and the specific rates of the college (see award amounts).
HOPE GED Grant
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.
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. Full-time enrollment is not required. Students must use their HOPE GED Grant award within 24 months of the date of their GED diploma (See HOPE GED Grant requirements).
Overview of Hope Scholarship Changes
Changes to the hope scholarship program.
