HOPE SCHOLARSHIP
The HOPE Scholarship is funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education and is available only to degree-seeking undergraduate students who meet the definition of a Georgia Resident for HOPE Scholarship Purposes.
For more information on the HOPE Scholarship, or to view the HOPE regulations, please contact the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC): 770-724-9000 or 800-505-GSFC (4732) or GAfutures.org.
Plus/Minus Grading System
Award Amounts
- Bachelor’s degree is 100% of tuition or $298.27 per credit hour
- Associate degree is 100% of tuition or $95.00 per credit hour
If there appears to be a difference in the amount expected, it may be due to:
- The scholarship does not pay on remedial or learning support credit hours. For example, a student enrolled in 15 credit hours and 2 hours are learning support, then a 13 credit hour award would be paid.
- Students that are close to the 127 attempted or paid hours limit, will have the scholarship adjusted to only pay on remaining eligible hours. For example, a student enrolled 15 credit hours and has attempted 120 hours, will only have 7 hours of scholarship paid.
- If you are enrolled in a program with a tuition rate that differs from the standard Bachelor's or Associate degree tuition rate, then the percentage indicated above will be applied to the actual tuition rate.
Rate Chart
Credit Hour |
Associate |
Bachelor's |
1 |
$95.00 |
$298.27 |
2 |
$190.00 |
$596.54 |
3 |
$285.00 |
$894.81 |
4 |
$380.00 |
$1,193.08 |
5 |
$475.00 |
$1,491.35 |
6 |
$570.00 |
$1,789.62 |
7 |
$665.00 |
$2,087.89 |
8 |
$760.00 |
$2,386.16 |
9 |
$855.00 |
$2,684.43 |
10 |
$950.00 |
$2,982.70 |
11 |
$1,045.00 |
$3,280.97 |
12 |
$1,140.00 |
$3,579.24 |
13 |
$1,235.00 |
$3,877.51 |
14 |
$1,330.00 |
$4,175.78 |
15 |
$1,425.00 |
$4,474.05 |
Length of Scholarship
There are no exceptions covering extra hours needed for dual-degree programs, second majors, or change in major.
Eligibility ends when a student receives 127semester credits of payment from any combination of Zell Miller or HOPE Scholarship, Paid-Hours, plus HOPE Grant Paid-Hours (effective Summer 2003), plus, ACCEL Paid-Hours (effective fall 2004) through spring 2011.
Once a student reaches either the Attempted-Hours limit or the Combined Paid-Hours limit, he or she is no longer eligible for the HOPE Scholarship.
Attempted Hours Limit
All credit hours attempted after high school graduation are calculated when determining Zell Miller eligibility, even if they are not accepted by Georgia State University, were taken outside of the state of Georgia or at an institution in a foreign country or unaccredited institution. Credits attempted as part of a technical Certificate or Diploma program of study are only counted as Attempted-Hours if any post-secondary institution ever accepted those hours as credit hours toward a degree. Credits hours forgiven by the institution are included in the calculations. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that Georgia State has transcripts from all institutions of higher learning (post high school graduation) in order for the Office of Student Financial Aid to accurately determine the student’s Zell Miller eligibility. Eligibility ends when a student attempts 127 credit hours, even if Zell Miller funds did not pay for those credits.
NOTE: The HOPE GPA does not necessarily match the cumulative GPA shown in PAWS. Please contact the Financial Management Center with inquiries regarding your HOPE GPA.
Combined Paid Hours Limit
All hours for which students received payment from Accel, HOPE Grant, Zell Miller or HOPE Scholarship program are included in calculating the total Combined Paid hours.
Seven Year Limit
A student who has not received HOPE Scholarship payment prior to Summer term 2011, and meets all other eligibility requirements for HOPE Scholarship, may receive the HOPE Scholarship until June 30 following the completion of the seventh full year after the date of high school graduation; or Home Study completion; or successful GED test date.
A student that serves on active duty in the military during the seven year period after his or her high school graduation, Home Study completion or successful GED test date will have that active duty period of his or her military service added to the seven year limit.
A student who received a HOPE Scholarship award prior to Summer term 2011 is not subject to the Seven Year Limit.
Eligibility
In all cases, a student must be a U.S. Citizen or an Eligible Non-Citizen and meet the requirements to be classified as a Georgia resident according to University System of Georgia (USG) in-state tuition policy for either 12 or 24 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes of the school term for which the HOPE Scholarship is sought.
Additional eligibility requirements:
- Be enrolled at a USG eligible postsecondary institution in matriculated status leading to a degree.
- Be a legal resident of Georgia for tuition purposes.
- Register with Selective Service (men only).
- Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Post secondary Education Act of 1990.
- Not be in default or owe a refund on a federal or state financial aid program.
- Not have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
View our Scholarship Calculation Eligibility Rules for more information on commonly asked HOPE/Zell Eligibility.
Regaining Eligibility for the HOPE Scholarship
After a student has attempted 90 credits, he or she cannot be reevaluated. Students who lost the HOPE Scholarship at one of the checkpoints and now have a 3.0 at 60th or 90th check point are required to complete a HOPE Scholarship Institutional Application (HSIA) in addition to the FAFSA and/or GSFAPPS to be reviewed again for HOPE eligibility.
Note: A student who has lost HOPE Scholarship Eligibility at two Checkpoints since fall semester 2011 cannot regain eligibility.
HOPE Scholarship Application Deadlines
SUMMER SEMESTER: July 17
FALL SEMESTER: November 17
SPRING SEMESTER: April 15
Note: If additional information is required, it must be submitted within 15 days of request.
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