HOPE may be used at public technical colleges and eligible public or private colleges and universities in Georgia. The program is funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education which began in 1993.

How It Works
You may receive HOPE assistance if you enroll at an eligible Georgia public technical college. The HOPE Grant is awarded for study leading to a certificate or diploma. Many technical colleges offer two-year degree programs as well. The HOPE Scholarship is awarded to students in degree programs, who must meet different qualifications than students earning a certificate or diploma.

The HOPE Grant
Georgia residents who are attending a Georgia public technical college to earn a certificate or diploma are eligible for a HOPE Grant regardless of high school graduation date or grade average. You may receive the Hope Grant for an unlimited number of programs that qualify under the guidelines.

Full-time enrollment is not required, but you must be making satisfactory academic progress to maintain eligibility. You are not required to maintain a "B" average to renew your HOPE Grant.

HOPE Grant Awards
The HOPE Grant covers tuition, HOPE-approved mandatory fees, and a book allowance of up to $100 per quarter.

The HOPE Scholarship for Recent High School Graduates
If you are a recent high school graduate and wish to receive the HOPE Scholarship for a degree program at a technical college, you must meet the same qualifications as a student seeking a degree at one of Georgia's public or private colleges or universities. To be eligible as a first-year student, you must:

• Be a legal resident of Georgia

• Be a 1993 or later graduate of an eligible high school

• Earn a "B" average in high school (a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale, or 80 numeric grade average, meeting the college preparatory track; if you are in the technical curriculum track, you must have a 3.2 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale, or 85 numeric grade average, meeting the curriculum requirements.)

The HOPE Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students
If you graduated from high school prior to 1993, you may be eligible to receive the HOPE Scholarship for a degree program at a technical college. To be eligible, you must:

• Be a legal resident of Georgia

• Have maintained the 3.0 HOPE cumulative grade point average after the quarter in which you have attempted 45 hours of degree credit. (Note: all attempted degree credit and coursework converted to degree credit after high school graduation is used to determine your eligibility.)

• Not have already earned a baccalaureate (four-year) degree or have attempted more than 190 quarter hours (127 semester hours) of college credit.

HOPE Scholarship Renewal
You may renew the scholarship each year. To do so, you must:

• Maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average for all coursework attempted (not just coursework completed).

• Reapply for the scholarship by completing the approved forms as designated by the financial aid office at the technical college you attend.

• Be making satisfactory academic progress.

HOPE Scholarship Awards
The HOPE Scholarship includes tuition, HOPE-approved mandatory fees, and a book allowance of up to $100 per quarter. Full-time enrollment is not required.

How to Apply
All HOPE applicants attending an eligible technical college must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the HOPE Scholarship and Grant Application each year.

These applications are available at any eligible Georgia public technical college. Ask the financial aid office at the technical college you plan to attend for the necessary application. A student may also apply for HOPE by completing an e-HOPE (online) application at www.gsfc.org/hope/dsp_apphope.cfm