HOPE Scholarship Information
HOPE Scholarship is available to Georgia Residents (according to the University System of Georgia and the Georgia Student Finance Commission residency requirements) who have demonstrated academic achievement.
If eligible, the HOPE Scholarship can provide money to assist students with tuition costs. Please visit the GaFutures website for more extensive information regarding the HOPE Scholarship.
If you recently graduated from high school, you can only be awarded after Georgia
Student Finance Commission has evaluated your high school transcripts. You can view
this information by tracking your HOPE academic eligibility. My College HOPE Profile, students who have earned the HOPE can track their academic eligibility while attending
a HOPE-eligible Georgia college or university.
If you are not a HOPE Scholar at the time of high school graduation, you could be eligible to earn the HOPE Scholarship by meeting the eligibility requirements at the completion of 30, 60, or 90 attempted hours. **Coursework taken as a dual credit enrollment cannot be used to gain HOPE Scholarship eligibility.
HOPE Scholars must meet basic eligibility requirements, demonstrate academic achievements, and be within the length of eligibility.
Basic Eligibility Requirements: The HOPE Scholarship requires students to meet these basic eligibility requirements to be awarded initially after high school and maintained while enrolled in an eligible college or university
Initial Academic Eligibility: In addition to the basic eligibility requirements, HOPE Scholars are required to meet academic eligibility requirements.
Academic Eligibility in College: HOPE Scholars have academic requirements that must be met to maintain eligibility, while in college.
Limits and Expiration of Eligibility: HOPE Scholarship has limits to how long students can receive the scholarship payments based on: expiration of eligibility, 10-year eligibility limit, and seven-year eligibility limit.
Award Amounts: Award amounts are determined annually by Georgia Student Finance Commission. The HOPE Scholarship award amount is applied towards standard undergraduate tuition, up to a maximum of 15 hours, for the specific number of hours enrolled in eligible courses, whether full time or part time.
- Step 1: Review basic eligibility requirements, academic eligibility requirements, and limits and expiration of eligibility listed above. If you believe that you are eligible, please proceed to the next step.
- Step 2: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Complete the online Georgia Student Finance Application (GSFAPP). The FAFSA must be completed annually. The GSFAPP remains valid for 10 years. Please be mindful that if you opt to complete the GSFAPP in lieu of the FAFSA, then you can only be reviewed for the HOPE Scholarship.
- Step 3: Send an email to request HOPE Scholarship. Be sure to include your Laker ID Number.
To be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship, you must meet the following requirements:
- Must meet Basic Eligibility Requirements
- Must maintain Academic Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a final HOPE Scholar if less than 30 attempted hours. This means your GPA is an eligible GPA for the HOPE scholarship.
- Must have at least a 3.0 HOPE GPA, which includes all college level coursework attempted since high school and from any institution attended.
- Must not have reached your expiration of eligibility date. When you receive your first
HOPE scholarship payment, GSFC will determine your eligibility limit.
- Must have attempted less than 127 hours.
- Must not have reached your expiration of eligibility date. When you receive your first HOPE scholarship payment, GSFC will determine your eligibility limit.
- Must not have earned a baccalaureate (four-year) degree, regardless of whether or not HOPE funds were received while earning the degree.
- Must complete an application: FAFSA or GSFAPPS.