Georgia HOPE Scholarship

Name: Georgia HOPE Scholarship

Award Amount: Varies; up to approximately 85% of standard tuition at eligible Georgia institutions.

Information And Eligibility:

The Georgia HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) Scholarship is one of the most well-known and widely used state-funded scholarship programs in the country. Created to encourage academic achievement and keep talented students in-state for college, the HOPE Scholarship provides substantial tuition assistance to Georgia residents who perform well academically in high school and continue that performance in college.

The HOPE Scholarship can be used at eligible public and private colleges, universities, and technical colleges within the state of Georgia. At public institutions, the scholarship typically covers a large percentage of standard tuition costs, while at private institutions it provides a fixed award amount applied toward tuition. Funding for the HOPE Scholarship comes from the Georgia Lottery for Education, making it a merit-based program rather than a need-based one.

To initially qualify, students must graduate from an eligible Georgia high school with a minimum 3.0 GPA calculated on HOPE-approved core coursework. This GPA is rigor-weighted, meaning certain advanced courses (such as AP, IB, and Dual Enrollment) may receive additional weighting. Once enrolled in college, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA at specific credit-hour checkpoints to retain the scholarship.

The HOPE Scholarship is available to traditional students entering college directly after high school, as well as some nontraditional students who meet residency and academic requirements. It is intended to reward consistency and accountability—students who fall below the GPA requirement may lose the scholarship, though there are limited opportunities to regain eligibility if academic performance improves at a later checkpoint.

While the HOPE Scholarship significantly reduces tuition costs, it does not cover books, housing, meal plans, or other living expenses. Students are encouraged to combine HOPE with other scholarships, grants, or financial aid programs to fully cover the cost of attendance.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a legal resident of Georgia
• Must graduate from an eligible Georgia high school
• Minimum 3.0 HOPE-calculated GPA at high school graduation
• Must enroll in a degree program at an eligible Georgia public or private institution
• Must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative college GPA to remain eligible

Application Requirements:

There is no separate HOPE Scholarship application. Students are automatically considered once they complete one of the required financial aid applications and meet eligibility criteria. Applicants must:

• Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Georgia Student Finance Application (GSFAPPS)
• Ensure official high school transcripts are submitted to confirm GPA eligibility
• Enroll in an eligible Georgia institution

The FAFSA is recommended for students who may also qualify for need-based aid, while the GSFAPPS is sufficient for students applying only for Georgia state aid programs.

Additional Details:

• Award amounts are tied to Georgia legislative funding decisions and may change from year to year
• Public institution awards are based on standard tuition only
• Private institution awards are paid as a fixed amount toward tuition
• Books, housing, and fees are not covered
• Students are reviewed for continued eligibility at set credit-hour checkpoints

Deadline: FAFSA or GSFAPPS submission deadline (varies by academic year; early submission is strongly recommended).

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